FRIDAY, JULY 2, 1965:

AN IMPORTANT LOCUTION OF OUR
LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL TO CONCHITA,
CONCERNING MSGR. BEITIA, HIS
SUCCESSOR, MSGR. PUCHOL Y MONTIS,
AND FR. LAFFINEUR AS WELL

This was the anniversary of the Blessed Virgin's first apparition, when she entrusted Conchita with a little message destined for Msgr. Beitia and already clearly insinuated during the seer's previous June 18 famous public ecstasy, a personal message he was to receive shortly after, thanks to Francisco Sanchez-Ventura. We ignore its content, but on the following 8th of July, he was to publish his second Note, the longest and most complete, the most open also of the two he wrote concerning the question of the supernatural authenticity ofGarabandal.

The bishop of Santander having tendered his resignation, Msgr Vincente Puchol Montis succeeded him on this same 2nd of July and was enthroned on the following August 17, 1965.

Msgr. Puchol was a native of Valencia where he was born 1n 1915. We will see more about him . . .

Our Lady of Mount Carmel also had words destined to Fr. Materne Laffineur (see November 20, 1962).
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 198]

Not much to comment on here, except that the late Fr. Laffineur became one of the great apostles of Garabandal, spreading the Messages and events throughout the world. Here's an excerpt from Garabandal Magazine about him:

One of the first to step forward is an elderly but stout- hearted Frenchman, a veteran of two world wars with sixteen decorations and citations for bravery, by the name of Fr Materne Laffineur.

Fr. Laffineur has been to Garabandal some eight or ten times, has witnessed the girls in ecstasy, and believed! Now he is intent on doing something about it. He returns to his native France, has some leaflets printed and begins to give lectures. His listeners are impressed by the sincerity and objectivity of this eyewitness to the events and some come to help him. One such person is Fr Alfred Combe, a pastor of a parish just outside of Lyon. Later he will become Fr Laffineur's successor as leader of the French Garabandal movement and will play an important part in the worldwide diffusion of the Message.

And here is a short article he wrote on the Priesthood:

Garabandal and the Priesthood
By Father Materne Laffineur

Together with a devotion to the Eucharist, Garabandal teaches a great devotion for the priesthood. Our Lady teaches the girls to pray often for priests. Loli said one day, "I often pray for them, especially for those who wish that they were not priests. I pray that they may at least go on saying Mass."

They have the greatest reverence and affection for all members of the clergy, so much so that they are often reproached for "giving a warmer welcome to priests than to lay people."

In spite of the imprudence and unsettling hostility of certain priests, the children have never been heard to utter the least criticism of them or to show them the least discourtesy. They even make a special point of praying for them, especially for those who cause the children to suffer for reasons unknown to them.

To everyone expressing surprise at this, Loli replies, "When in the presence of an angel and of a priest, I would greet the priest first and it is to the priest that I would bow first of all."

That does not prevent them from from being nice little Spanish girls with a liveliness that reminds us of certain answers given by their illustrious compatriot. St. Teresa of Avila!

One theologian, a young priest and a fine one at that, asked Conchita:

"If you think that a priest has more power than an angel, whom would you prefer to see, the angel or me?"

"Oh, the angel of course! He is much better looking than you!"

Another cleric, deciding to put the little girls through one of those psychological "tests", asked Conchita this strange question:

"If your parish priest were neither a man nor a woman but an animal, what kind of animal would you like him to be?"

"A lamb."

"Why?"

"Because he would be like Jesus Who sacrificed Himself for us."
Roman Deacon

FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1965 CONTINUED . . .

On the indication of the Archangel St. Michael, the visionary will present the crucifix to be kissed, to Fr. Pel, then to Messrs Pique and Masure.

We see Fr. Pel's white hair at the bottom - on the left of the photo. He was the first to whom Conchita offered the crucifix. The priest then cried out: "We must not doubt this is from God!"
Placido Ruiloba, a merchant from Santander, father of eight children, was a key witness of the Garabandal "events," as early as July 1961. He was an important observer, a critical and even skeptical one at times; we owe him many recordings of the conversations of the visionaries while in ecstasy. He appears here, immediately on the left of Conchita, holding a microphone. 

At the request of St. Michael, Conchita made the Message known, in writing, just as the first Message had first been given, to the four seers only, on June 24, 1961 when it appeared written on a placard (letrero or escritorio) beneath the feet of the same Archangel St. Michael. As to the numerous data supporting our own transcription of the original second Message, one will find them, at least in part, in our Book II to be published later. [From 'Garabandal' Book, pages 194-195]

Unfortunately, Book II has not been published yet and there has been no news about when it will be! But thank God we have these amazing photos, and hundreds more! Plus many rolls of amateur and professional newsreel. Someday it will all be released for us to remember the "Events" of Garabandal! 
Deacon John 

FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1965:

Conchita suddenly raises her crucifix up to the
Archangel St. Michael, who touches it.

THE INCOMPARABLE DAY OF THE
SECOND AND FINAL MESSAGE
OF GARABANDAL

"On behalf of the Most Blessed Virgin, here is the Message to the world transmitted by St. Michael. The 'Angel' said:

"As my message of October 18 has not been complied with and has not been made known to the world, I am advising you that this is the last one. Before, the cup was filling up. Now it is flowing over. Many cardinals, many bishops and many priests are on the road to perdition and are taking many souls with them. Less and less importance is being given to the Eucharist. You should turn the wrath of God away from yourselves by your efforts. If you ask His forgiveness with sincere hearts, He will pardon you. I, your mother, through the intercession of Saint Michael the Archangel, ask you to amend your lives. You are now receiving the last warnings. I love you very much and do not want your condemnation. Pray to us with sincerity and we will grant your requests. You should make more sacrifices. Think about the passion of Jesus."

The Eucharist, the Priesthood and the Passion of Jesus Christ represent the three major Christological and ecclesial aspects of the second Message. The date, June 18, was perhaps chosen because it was close to or corresponded with the Feast of Corpus Christi, the principal Eucharistic celebration that generally falls in the month of June, a month also consecrated to the Sacred Heart. But also, very probably, because of he profound significance of the "18th of June" 1961 and 1962 . . . One should again note the progressive (since the first Message of October 18, 1961) accent of the "wrath of God," an extremely meaningful biblical theme, expressed there in a complementary way by the other biblical image of the "Cup." The latter, already mentioned in the first Message, is now overflowing, in this "last" one! In addition to the "Cup of the divine Wrath," we also find here the explicit mention of our sins through which we are distancing ourselves from God and from the more important "Cup of Communion" with Him through Christ.

The theme of the Priesthood is also particularly prominent in this second and "ultimate" Message. On the subject of the important responsibility of priests, see Vatican II, 'Gaudium et Spes', n. 43, as well as Robert Francois (Turner), 'I, Your Mother', the excellent chapter 14, "The Priests," where one can see clearly the extent to which the visionaries of San Sebastian de Garabandal, still more their Vision, gave supreme importance to the "ministerial Priesthood" and also, it goes without saying, to the "Eucharist."
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 192]

So there you have the Second Formal Message! It gives one a lot to think about, especially now, 45 years later, when this Message has more meaning to us than to those people in 1965. We have seen the changes in the Church, the falling away of Mass attendance, the priestly scandals, the disrespect of the Eucharist, the sins of the world crying out for the "wrath of God," like abortion and infanticide! And Our Lady gives the remedy for all this: confession, sincerity, prayer, conversion, penance and sacrifice, and meditation on the Passion of Christ! Yes, there is still hope! If enough of us repent and offer sacrifices in union with Our Lord's Sacrifice, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, then maybe the chastisement will be mitigated or reduced, and the "Era of Peace" will come upon the world. Keep praying and spreading these Messages so that all will believe!
Deacon John

FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 1965:

View of the Pines with the Village church below
and the Cantabrian Mountains.

CONCHITA'S IMPRESSIVE AND UNEXPECTED
ECSTASY AT THE PINES: THE BLESSED VIRGIN
OF MOUNT CARMEL REVEALS TO HER
THE FUTURE "AVISO" . . .

On this "first Friday of the month," Feast also of the Octave of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus, the Blessed Virgin appeared to Conchita at the Pines. The apparition, not previously announced to her during the preceding locution of December 8, lasted two hours, and unfolded in great discretion: two small shepherd lads, a little boy and a little girl, coming down the mountain with their sheep, were, in effect, the only witnesses of the ecstasy. On the same day, Conchita would reveal to Maximina the nature of her ecstasy, which bore mainly on the future Aviso. Still unpublished today, here is the very first reported written text by the visionary herself, a letter she was to send to Joey Lomangino on May 28, 1965:

"The world is always carrying on the same way, if not worse. Few
paid attention to the Message (the first one, October 18, 1961). My
Son will have to give another one, and this will be the last one.
After June 18 (1965) and before the Miracle, there will come a
"disaster" from heaven, it will be an "Aviso" for the world to amend its ways. If, with this trial and the Miracle, Humanity does not change, the Chastisement will fall on us and the end of the times will also come. The "disaster," as she told me, is horrible, the kind we deserve. The Blessed Virgin also told me that we must not grieve over the material sufferings of the "chastisement" that we ourselves will have brought about because of our sins committed against her Son.
These are the last avisos (warnings), and we must derive benefit from them. She told me again that the world believes there is a Heaven and a hell, but we do not think that we will have to go to the one or the other. Humanity thinks only about the present life (. . .)"

The girls, especially Conchita, used several similar expressions to designate the future Warning: "trial," "a most powerful shock," "catastrophe," "disaster," "purification," "correction of the moral conscience of the world" . . . These different terms and expressions were, in fact, referring not only to the physical impact and cosmic dimension of the Aviso, but also to its interior moral and spiritual dimension, both of them to be experienced by all human persons, being Christian or not, and even by those not believing in God, the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel even revealing to Conchita the very name of that future Warning during this same January 1, 1965: "It begins with the letter "A": neither "astra" (meaning a heavenly body), nor "asteroid": could it not be the word "absinth" or "Wormwood" (Rev. 8:10-11), "Ajenjo" in Spanish (so much so since Conchita will say eventually that "the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel did tell me the name . . . in Spanish), which name I saw in the dictionary, but not understanding its meaning there!"
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 186]

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. 

Here is Rev. 8:10-11:

Rev 8:10 And the third angel sounded the trumpet: and a great star fell from heaven, burning as it were a torch. And it fell on the third part of the rivers and upon the fountains of waters:
Rev 8:11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood. And the third part of the waters became wormwood. And many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

Yes, the Warning will be "bitter" for many as they see their sins and its effects on other people. And some may die of fright, especially those who have been cursing God and causing others to disbelieve in Him.

For us who love God, we will love Him even more!

Someone asked once about when we get to heaven and see some of our loved ones lost in hell, how can we be happy about that? The answer from the Saints is that we will rejoice in God's Justice, knowing that He did all He could to save that soul, but the soul refused the graces sent to it.

Someone said today that we must be positive and look at the good that's out there. But I say, we have to be realistic and see the truth: the world has gone mad! I believe we must alert everyone about the Warning, before it is too late, so people will have a chance to amend their lives and not die in their sin . . .
What do you think?
Deacon John

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1962:

The assembly of Bishops in St. Peter's Basilica

CONCHITA FALLS IN ECSTASY AT THE
EXACT MOMENT OF THE OPENING, IN
ROME, OF THE ECUMENICAL COUNCIL
VATICAN II

On the morning of the Opening of the Second Vatican Council, it was raining heavily in Rome. But when the Conciliar Fathers started in procession towards St. Peter's Basilica, the sky suddenly cleared up and the sun came out again.

At that same moment, another amazing phenomenon was unfolding at Garabandal; just as the radio was transmitting, at 8 a.m., the Opening of the Council and the inauguration ceremony, Conchita fell into ecstasy in her home; it lasted throughout her wandering through the lanes of the village, where witnesses could hear the seer talking of the Council with her Vision!

The visionary, who did not yet know the date, asked the apparition if the Miracle would occur during the Council. The beginning of an answer would be given to her during an important
ecstasy, on the following 18th of November.

Reverend Ramon Garcia de la Riva had spent, in the company of several other persons, the night of October 10 to 11 at Conchita's house. In order to enliven the long vigil, each had tried to guess the time when the visionary would have her ecstasy. The pastor of Barro alone found the right answer.

Msgr. Beitia was in Rome, sitting with his peers, when the newspapers published his first Note. The "aficionados" of Garabandal were obviously very disappointed. But Conchita, in a letter that she would send on that very same day to Fr. Ramon Andreu, reported, on behalf of the Blessed Virgin, that "the bishop (of Santander) in reality had a strong interior desire and real hope to discern the true origin of a matter of such gravity."
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 153]

It's interesting that God choose this important time in the history of the Church to allow Our Blessed Lady to appear in Garabandal! And just as some modernists were trying to discard many of the Traditional devotions practiced by the faithful, such as the rosary and the Scapular, Our Lady was reminding us that these devotions are God's Will for us.

I heard it with my own ears, right after the Council, that the rosary was old fashioned and they tried to discourage the faithful from praying it. They also said that the Pope was an old Italian in Rome, and people should dis-regard his teachings. Amazing how fast Satan can take something good and turn it into his own weapon to snag souls. So who do we listen to, some modernist theologian, who wants to use birth control, or the Holy Father, who represents Christ on earth? I'm sticking with the Pope, even if it means that there will be a schism!!! Personally, I think we are in one already!
Deacon John

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 1962:

Doctor Puncernau at the Pines with Mari-Loli, Mari-Cruz and his daughter.

TOWARDS THE "MILAGRUCU" ["Little Miracle"]

The ecclesial dimension of the Eucharist clarifies the relationship that exists, on this 29th of June, between the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul and a voice revealing the date of the "Milagrucu" to Conchita. It was to happen on the following July 18, would consist in a Communion, this time given by the Angel to the visionary, the Host being visible to all the witnesses.

First visit of the great Catalonian neurologist, Dr. Ricardo Puncernau, to the village. As a scientist, a first-class witness, he played a fundamental role in Garabandal. He sought to understand the phenomena unfolding there, from every point of view. He died on September 18, 1984. The Blessed Virgin would reveal to Conchita that the huge amount of work of this physician "would later triumph!"
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 138]

There's a picture of this "Little Miracle" which I will post for the July 18 entry. Check it out. It's an amazing photo, cause it was taken with a motion picture camera, using a flashlight for illumination.

Like all miracles, it takes an "act of faith" to believe in it. I wasn't there for the Resurrection of Our Lord; but I believe in it! I wasn't there for the Miracle of the spinning sun at Fatima; but I believe in it! I wasn't there for this "little miracle"; but I believe in it! Why, because of the witnesses, who testified of what they saw. The problem with the people of this generation is that if it can't be proven by science, they don't want to believe in the supernatural.

Well, science is great for earthly things, but it won't get you to Heaven. Only Faith and prayer will! Do you believe in Miracles? Yes or no?

Deacon John

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 1962:

Jacinta in ecstasy.

A "SIGN" INTENDED TO PROVE THE
AUTHENTICITY OF GARABANDAL

Feast of the Sacred Heart in Spain. For the second time, presumably, Jacinta saw Christ.

The Church, being born from the Heart of Jesus on the Cross, in the Heart of Mary, we will not be surprised that Conchita learned on June 22 that a miracle would soon be granted "  so that people might believe."   This is about the famous "Milagrucu," an answer granted by the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel to the urgent wish of the visionaries who, since June 1961, were begging, on the suggestion of the Church authorities (Santander), for a "visible sign for the world."
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 137]

Tremendous signs for the visionaries, who are so young and fragile, and for us to believe! Our Lady takes them from scenes of the Chastisement, visions of the Precious Blood and possibly the crucifixion, a vision of Our Lord to calm them down, and now a promise of a Miracle! And the Miracle is for us "so that people might believe." Not 'will' believe but "might" believe because we have free wills and God never forces us to worship Him or even love Him. But the Miracles are out there for those who are searching for God. And soon we will have the "Great Miracle" at Garabandal, and maybe many in this world "might" believe and be converted. I pray and hope so. How about you?
Deacon John

FRIDAY, MAY 4, 1962:

Will Benedict XVI go to Russia?

"THE POPE IN RUSSIA, AT MOSCOW,
THEN THE BEGINNING OF THE
DIFFICULT PRE-AVISO PERIOD . . ."

On that day, Mari-Loli and Conchita received new and prophetic revelations about the future tribulations of the brief yet very difficult time of the Pre-Aviso. Conchita said also during her ecstasy that "Communism will come back also in Spain." The Blessed Virgin also predicted to the visionary that"the Pope would go to Russia, to Moscow," a trip absolutely unthinkable in the political climate of the 1960's. She also added, among other important things, that "as soon as the Sovereign Pontiff would return to the Vatican, successive violent persecutions would break out here and there in Europe."These would be signs that the world, and particularly the Church (people would then believe that She will be on the point of disappearing, etc . . .), were entering into the relatively short, yet very difficult, period of the Pre-Warning.
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 132]

Reading and commenting on this paragraph line by line, we could say that before the Warning comes, things will look really bad and hopeless around the world. Kind of like these days, yes? 


Communism is back already with the anti-God and anti-Church governments around the world. We even have a communist leader in Venezuela now. And in America, it seems more and more like a socialist government is ruling now. News reports are filled with anti-Catholic articles and some judges and lawyers even want the Pope arrested because of the priest scandals! Even in England the Church is battling with the government over gay adoption rights and abortion/euthanasia.
The Pope in Russia? It could happen now, because the Russians are more open to a visit these days. The Orthodox Church leaders also see the world situation and want to work with the Roman Church to evangelize the world.


But not in the 60's. Remember the Cuban Missile crisis at that time? The world is in turmoil now and at war in many places, but it could get worse, especially with these small countries developing Atom Bombs. One thing is certain, God will intervene before we blow the world to pieces. Jesus will return and reign in our hearts as King. The Kingdom of the Divine Will will be established! Just be prepared to endure a lot of trials before Christ returns.
Deacon John

FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 1962:

A new Sacramental Communion given by St. Michael to Conchita in ecstasy at the Pines, on the Feast of St. Hermenegild, a Martyr of the Eucharist honored as the "Clovis" of Spain . . .
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 130]

{clovis: noun
king of the Franks who unified Gaul and established his capital at Paris and founded the Frankish monarchy; his name was rendered as Gallic 'Louis' (466-511)}

Hermenegild, who lived around the year 550, son of King Leovigild of Visigothic Spain, lived in a milieu very similar to ours. The world he knew was infested with the wicked and subtle heresy of Arianism as today we live in a world which has abandoned God and given itself over to the subtleties and vices of Modernism and Liberalism. Many of the stratagems, deceits, confusion and denials of the True Faith were as present in his time as they are in our own. The consequences of the operation of such factors were as disastrous for the poor souls that he knew as they are for our own friends, family, acquaintances and ourselves. Always present was the need to stand firm against the baleful clamour of the outside world in order to save his own soul and the anxious state that any good soul endures when he sees loved ones led astray on the broad road to Hell. Hermenegild did not begin his earthly pilgrimage as a Catholic. For many years he lived outside of the Church, the only Ark of Salvation, while he practiced the heretical rites of Arianism. His zealous Catholic wife, Indegundis, brought about a profound change in the future martyr. He renounced Arianism and in so doing brought upon his head the kingly anger of his wrathful father who called upon him to surrender all the authority and privileges which the prince enjoyed with his brother Reccared. Unfortunate as it is to mention, the newly converted royal did not meekly lay down the material advantages which being the heir to Arian Visigothic Spain had procured for him and he took up arms against his father and brother. By God's Good Providence Heremenegild was successively beaten in battle, betrayed to his enemies and stripped of all the earthly power and pleasure that he had hoped to enjoy along with the spiritual advantages which his conversion had brought him. Hard was that lesson which Our Lord taught him for did Our Saviour Himself not say "You cannot serve both God and Mammon"?

Hermenegild was reduced in rank and exercise and this would have been the extent of the royal anger had it not been for Leovigild's second wife who prevailed upon him to have his son imprisoned. In the confines of the dungeon to which he was condemned in 586, Hermenegild learnt the true value of his Faith. Not only did the prisoner accept his fate with a submission totally in contrast with his previous warlike manner but he even imposed upon himself further sufferings such as fasting and wearing a hairshirt. Thus little by little the former prince rose above the petty considerations of his earthly state as the state of his own sanctity rose ever higher. Finally there arrived the hour of temptation, of deliverance and of martyrdom. His father sent to him an Arian Bishop to deliver to him Holy Communion, validly consecrated, but from the hands of an Arian heretic, adding that if his son received Holy Communion thus, he would be raised to all his former privileges. The pounding of the noisy world of men reached Hermenegild but faintly now and he rejected with scorn the apostolic emissary of his father. Enraged Leovigild had him instantly executed. The fruits of Hermenegild's heroic suffering and death were destined to flower under his brother Reccared who brought all of Visigothic Spain back into the bosom of Holy Mother Church when he ascended the throne of his deceased father.

No doubt dear friends of Garabandal, that Our Lady is teaching us to persevere and be strong in the Faith, even in our private lives. How many times are we not tempted to render lip service only to the True Faith and to Tradition and not to expose our unmortified flesh to the ridicule of human respect, in our families, our jobs, and even in our church! Not even in the darkness of his living tomb where the public gaze did not fall would Hermenegild forsake his God who he knew saw all things and always and to whom he would have to render a most exacting account. Are we, dear faithful in Christ, equally willing to say to the secular world and all its errors: "Get thee behind me, Satan" or is our faith a chest of cloaks which we change in accordance with the seasons? Saint Hermenegild pray for us that we may each of us meet the temptations of apostasy with that heroic firmness with which you merited the crown of martyrdom and life eternal.
Deacon John

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1961:

THE FIRST OF FIVE "DECEMBER 8" DAYS,
REMARKABLY HIGHLIGHTED AT
SAN SEBASTIAN DE GARABANDAL

There were two ecstasies, half expected, half unforeseen by Conchita, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. This was the proper onomastic feast of the visionary, wished to her by the smiling Mary during the first of these two apparitions.

During the second apparition, at 9:30 p.m., Conchita, in ecstasy, visited the sick of the village, offering her crucifix to be kissed. The Blessed Virgin often encouraged the visionaries to be interested in the sick and led them while in ecstasy to the homes of the ill. They spontaneously experienced a great compassion for those who suffered and spent some time with the handicapped and the elderly. Several healings were obtained through the intermediary objects kissed by Our Lady.

Conchita later visited hospitals in Burgos. She even obtained her nursing diploma with success. She practiced the nursing profession first in Bilbao, then in New York where she has lived since 1972.

During her second ecstasy of the 8th of December 1961, Conchita spoke of the "good Pope John (XXIII) who was then very concerned about the problems of the world." "We must be very humble and pray a great deal," added the girl. That was, so at least it seems, the first explicit mention of "Peter's Successor" by the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel at San Sebastian de Garabandal. The Pope, the Popes . . .: they were to be on the "agenda," and in more than one way, during the long course of the events!

From 1961 to 1965, on each December 8, Conchita was granted either an apparition or a locution from Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, pages 117-118]

I remember when Conchita lived near us in Queens, NY. She worked for a Spanish doctor in upper Manhattan caring for the poor Spanish-speaking residents. Later on, when she married and had children, she stopped nursing and I believe was a full-time housewife. Our same age children went to the same Catholic High School and we had a small prayer group formed and met in the school chapel. I did the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with benediction. Although we prayed together, we never talked about the apparitions with Conchita, respecting her privacy. After the kids were no longer going to that school, Conchita and her family moved out to Long Island. I pray for her each day.

Visiting the sick is a great ministry and very rewarding spiritually! The sick and elderly love having visitors, especially in Nursing Homes, where many have been abandoned by their families and have no one to sit and talk and pray for them. When I visited the sick and/or elderly, I always brought them religious gifts like rosaries and scapulars. They seemed to love receiving them, no matter what religion they professed! Many times they would cry out, "Take us home with you!" They missed being in their own homes but many could not take care of themselves anymore. Well, like Jesus, we can have compassion and love for them, and ask the Lord to bless and heal them.

Deacon John 

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1961:

Msgr. D. Fernandez

THE VIRGIN OF MOUNT CARMEL'S CONCERN FOR THE CHURCH

The Blessed Virgin warned the four visionaries that their daily ecstasies would cease temporarily from November 18 on. Pressed by the "Special Commission," Msgr. Fernandez invited Don Valentin to take a "holiday." This would keep the pastor away from the village for almost two months during which time the girls each had only one apparition.
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 117]

It seems that Our Lady didn't like the conclusions of the "Special Commission", which was denying the supernatural events of Garabandal. I think She also didn't like the idea of removing the pastor from his post there. He was close to the girls and helped them spiritually, a 'good father priest'!

Many times in the future apparitions of Our Lady, right up to our present days, she has complained about the lack of belief in her appearances, in some cases people actually laughing at her. Imagine that! Well, all I can say is when the 'Warning' comes, the laughing will stop as we see our sins flashing before our eyes. It will be like we are drowning and our whole life passes through our minds. We will see all the bad we have done, but also all the good. A mini-judgment! Of course, those who love God, will love Him even more.
Praise God!
Deacon John 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1961:

A "13TH OF OCTOBER" WITH PROFOUND
AND PROPHETIC RESONANCES?

A crowd of seventy thousand was present at the "Miracle of the Sun" at Fatima, on October 13, 1917. The Blessed Virgin was appearing for the fourth and last time, on that same day in 1917, to the young visionaries of the Cova da Iria, . . . under the title of 'Our Lady of Mount Carmel'. 

At Garabandal, on this "October 13," there occurred a mysterious cosmic phenomenon, the only one of which the Blessed Virgin refused to explain the nature or the reason, to the girls! Conchita and Loli, in ecstasy, saw, as it were, a dazzling star, not a comet, "nothing of that kind," said Don Valentin, who, at least in part, had witnessed the event, as had other people there. Kind of a preview of the prophetic worldwide AVISO?
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 107]

A few interesting facts come to my mind from this excerpt:

1. The writer says that Our Lady appeared four times at Fatima . . . Well, we all know that's wrong. Mother Mary appeared once a month from May till October, so there were more than four appearances.

2. During the "Miracle of the Sun", Lucia saw a few different visions in the sky and the last one was of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, holding out the Brown Scapular to the world. Before I had heard of Garabandal, I had read the book 'Our Lady of Fatima' by Thomas Walsh, and this fact about Our Lady of Mt. Carmel had stuck in my mind, so when I finally read some leaflets and books about Garabandal, I immediately connected the two together saying to myself, "Garabandal is a continuation of Fatima!" I Believed!

3. On the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, we read the Gospel at Mass telling of the 'star' that led the Magi to worship and adore the Baby Jesus at Bethlehem! It's weird to read about a 'dazzling star' in Garabandal, too! Is there a connection? The writer thinks it could be a preview of the AVISO, which means the Warning, in Spanish. I don't think so. The Warning is supposed to be a supernatural event, correcting the conscience of the world. Everyone will see how they are offending God and their fellow man, and hopefully, be converted. Some may die due to the fright of this event, especially those who have been denying God in their lives. I think this 'dazzling star' could be a sign that the Lord is coming soon to change this world around in God's favor, His Second Coming. Then "every knee shall bend," as it says in Scripture; all of us will worship and adore Jesus!!! What do you think?
Roman Deacon

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1961:

THE ELOQUENT FULLNESS OF SILENCE . . .

This was a unique day. In fact, there were no apparitions or Holy Communion given by the Angel. On this Feastday of St. Bruno, founder of the Carthusians, the intention here was very likely to honor the typical solitude, silence and pure contemplation of this renowned monastic Order. It has been said, and rightly so, that this Order has never been "reformed," since . . . it was never "deformed"!
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 106]

That's an interesting pun at the end of that paragraph . . ."that this Order has never been reformed, since it was never deformed"! If you look at all the different Orders in our holy Church, i.e.: Franciscans; Carmelites; Salesians; Jesuits, etc., etc., you will find that many times certain small groups broke off from the main group to reform the Order. Usually they want to go back to the Original Rule of the founder, like St. Francis, because the monks were very lax or disregarded the Original Rule altogether. Some of these reformers were treated very badly by their monk brothers and sisters. St. John of the Cross was imprisoned by the Carmelites and so were many others. Some reformers were NOT saints, like Luther and King Henry the Eight! But the point is that the Carthusians, founded by Saint Bruno, stayed true to their founders ideals and the Orders Rule.

What about us? Are we the type that wants to change things for the sake of change or stay with the Rule that Holy Mother Church has guided us with for 2000 years? I personally follow Jesus Christ, the invisible Head, who founded our Church and Pope Benedict XVI, the visible head, who leads the Church today! Sadly, today. there are many "reformers" who have broken away from Holy Mother, the Church, and they are NOT saints. They want married priests; women priests; homosexual priests; contraception & abortion; divorce & remarriage; and some even deny todays Eucharist as valid! Let us pray that after the "Warning", all will rejoin the One, Holy, Catholic Church and the Body of Christ will be ONE!
Deacon John

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1961:

The "film of sinners" unfolds before the eyes of Mari-Cruz and Conchita!

THE "FILM OF SINNERS"

In the two Messages of Garabandal, the prediction of the Chastisement that will strike the entire human race, if the latter persists in its immoral behavior, strongly expresses what Msgr. Beitia Aldazabal, the principle titular bishop of Santander at the time of the apparitions and locutions, called "the doctrine of God offended by our sins." This expression occurs eight hundred times in the Bible. In the Old Covenant, it is already associated with the holiness of God. Horror of sin was instilled in the girls from the beginning of the apparitions by a Marian catechesis sustained and, at times, even highlighted with very painful ecstasies bearing on the iniquity of the world and the ordeals it would create.

While awaiting original complementary documents, we set this terrifying vision, during which the Blessed Virgin showed the "film of sinners" to the visionaries, on September 15, Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.

Then the terrified protestations of the children were heard: "No, no! , , , What horror! How hideous! Take that away (from our sight) . . . Yes, sacrifices (for sinners)! . . ." And in pathetic attitudes of pleading, they called on Divine Mercy.
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 105]

At Fatima the children were also shown scenes like this and even hell, and they were much younger then the girls from Garabandal! Little Jacinta and her brother Francisco spent themselves, even to death, for sinners from then on. Once they saw those images of the souls being tortured in hell, the scenes never left their young minds. It's a good lesson for us, to pray constantly for sinners! The children of Fatima's most popular prayer was:

"O my Jesus, this is for the love of You; for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and for the Holy Father . . ."

They offered this prayer whenever they made some sacrifice or had to suffer in some way. I try to remember to do the same thing!
God love You!
Deacon John 

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1961:

Canon Julio Porro Cardenoso from
Tarragonna, a qualified theologian.

THE VIRGIN OF MOUNT CARMEL,
QUESTIONED . . . REPLIES!

Canon Julio Porro Cardenoso became a convinced witness of the divine authenticity of the phenomena occurring at San Sebastian de Garabandal. He was to write later several books about them.
In the afternoon of his arrival, Don Valentin asked Dr. Porro to draw up some ten questions to be submitted to the Blessed Virgin through the visionaries, during their evening ecstasy. Mari-Loli took charge of this mission. Our Lady's answers are a "first" . . .:

"1. By what sins does the Blessed Virgin feel most offended? - The mortal ones.
 

2. What is the Blessed Virgin urging the Spaniards to do above all to amend themselves? - That they go to confession and receive Communion.
 

3. What sacrifices is she asking from Spain? - That "we may be good" (totally virtuous).
 

4. What are the sins of young people that hurt and offend her most? - No answer.
 

5. What sins of the parents offend her the most? - When they quarrel.
 

6. What social sin wounds the Heart of Jesus the most? - No answer.
 

7. Is the impact of the Message greater for Spain or for the whole world? - No answer.
 

8. What nation fulfills the commandment of Jesus Christ the best? - Spain.
 

9. What nation can be presented as a model to the faithful? - No answer.
 

10. Is the Message for the whole world or for Spain? - For the whole world.
 

11. Why do these things (i.e. the apparitions) occur at night? - No answer: the face of the Vision became clouded over with sadness . . ."

(Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 101)

It's amazing that anyone would question Our Lady, especially with these types of questions which seem so self centered in regards to Spain. But I guess we would probably ask the same in regard to America, thinking we are the greatest nation. Basically, Mother Mary is saying everyone needs to be good, be virtuous, go to confession often and receive Holy Communion often. And She doesn't like it when parents quarrel, especially in front of their children, it gives a bad example to them. She also was sad about night time because most sins are committed then.
Good advise, dear Mother! We will try to be good to please Jesus and You!
Deacon John

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1961:

Father Ramon Andreu questions Loli

FIRST THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION
ON GARABANDAL

At the beginning of September, Ramon Maria Andreu pursued his observations. He was then on the point of completing his Memorandum, still a limited study but nonetheless a serious one, about the "events," that he had made with Msgr. Doroteo Fernandez' full consent.
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 100]

Little by little the 'events' were recorded for history which will prove extremely important when the apparitions are finally approved by the Church in the near future! Father Ramon was an important eye witness to the 'events.' He was living in California before he died and was close to one of the visionaries (Jacinta, who married an American) and lives in California too.
Deacon John

FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 1961:

UNPARALLELED RICHNESS, SIMPLICITY
AND DEPTH OF PRAYER AT
SAN SEBASTIAN DE GARABANDAL

"Prayer holds an important place in Garabandal. Magnificent, varied, profound, it runs through the "events" on the whole as never in any other great Marian Apparition . . . .
The girls devoted a great deal of their time to prayer. What is especially striking is the quality of their ecstatic prayer: a meditation filled with presence, moved to the extreme; a slow, poised
recitation inspiring the full meaning of words as simple as "Mary," "blessed," "grace," "Jesus." " (Robert Francois Turner, 'I, Your Mother,' ch. 18).

The children spontaneously recited first the Rosary, then the Litanies, the Creed, the Our Father, the Salve Regina, in short what they knew. The Blessed Virgin had taught the visionaries all these prayers and, then, had gradually helped the girls to pronounce them clearly. So, on this August 18, the first thing Our Lady undertook was to recite the rosary with them: "I'll start the prayer and you will answer, very slowly," She suggested to the children.


The visionaries postures induced the crowds to be quiet and recollected. "They would fall on their knees in the tiniest fraction of a second, sometimes adopting an overwhelming attitude of petition, their faces turned to heaven" (ibid.).
"To sing is to pray twice over" . . . The children improvised various hymns. From their songs there emanated a strange meekness and always a beautiful harmony.
The Blessed Virgin taught the girls to make correctly the various signs of the cross used in Spain. They made them with unmatched dignity. Many films testify to this.
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 93.]

Our Lady is teaching us, through these apparitions, how important it is to pray constantly and the right way of praying! See how we must think about the "words" that we are uttering, lifting up to God. Have you every been at a prayer service where the words are rattled off at ninety miles an hour? There is no time to think or meditate on their meaning. Some of the last words Our Blessed Mother said at Garabandal was "Think about the Passion of Jesus." Along with that and many Saints recommendations, I try to pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary each day, thinking about how much the Lord suffered for my sins . . .

Mother Mary has also taught me to pray like she taught the visionaries. When I first went back to church, around the year 1970, I didn't know how to pray at all! Little by little, Our Lady sent to me people who taught and inspired me to pray many different ways. But the Rosary became my favorite private prayer and I promised Our Lady that I would say it everyday of my life.

Did you ever sing the Rosary? When I drove a truck, years ago, I used to sing the Mysteries as I drove here and there. Being alone in the cab of the truck, allows a person to express themselves and be truly open to God's grace. I can't sing too well, but only God knows about it!

Making the Sign of the Cross is important too! I've seen some sloppy ones made, sometimes so quick as if the person was embarrassed about the cross. Then there are those who refuse to cross themselves at all! I've seen this at Mass too! Even priests who did not make the Sign of the Cross at the start of the Mass! What a scandal! The cross is the sign of our redemption, so I think we should bless ourselves more often. One of the privileges of being a deacon, is to bless people and objects with the sign of the cross. What an honor!

By the way, did you know that the people of the Orthodox Faith make the Sign of the Cross right shoulder to left, instead of left shoulder to right as we do it. I always wondered why. Does anyone know?
United in Prayer
Deacon John