SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1966:

CHRIST'S FINAL AND VERY REMARKABLE
LOCUTION TO CONCHITA

Back from Rome, Conchita faced a decisive moment. She knew she would again never see the Blessed Virgin at Garabandal. There was now the matter of her vocation . . .

On February 7, her own birthday, Conchita was the perfect image of trust. She was leaving her village to go to the College of the Discalced Missionary Carmelites, at Pamplona. She was seventeen years old and wanted to become a postulant, then a novice in the Congregation, hoping that she would someday work among the Africans . . .

But behold that, in a second and last locution from Christ, hardly a week after her arrival at Pamplona, Conchita learned, among other things, that the Lord was not calling her to be a religious sister . . . The text of this last "charismatic event" of Garabandal is so rich in meaning that it can only be reproduced here, its obvious spiritual content for one, needing no comment:

"On Sunday, February 13, 1966, at the moment of thanksgiving after Communion, I received both a great joy and a yet greater distress, as well as a disappointment! I heard the voice of Christ telling me:

"Conchita, you came here to the college to prepare yourself to become My bride and, as you say, to follow Me. Are you not saying, Conchita, that you do not want to do My will? Well, now, it is your will that you want to fulfill. Do you want to do like this all your life? I chose you in the world so that you may stay in it, so that you may face the many vexations that you will find there for My sake. I want all that for your sanctification, and so that you may offer this for the salvation of the world. You must speak to the world about Mary. Remember that in June [rather in July 1963, the only previous locution she had of Christ: it must be a small error from Conchita herself - J.S.] you asked Me if you would be a religious sister. I answered you: 'You will find the Cross and suffering everywhere.' I am telling you this again".
"Conchita, did you feel My call to become My bride? No! Because I did not call you."
I asked Him: "And how does one feel Your call to become a religious?"
He told me: "Don't worry about that, you will not feel it."
I asked Him: "Then You do not love me, Jesus?"
He replied: "Conchita, you ask me that? Who redeemed you? Fulfill My will and you will find My love. Examine yourself well. Think more of others. Do not fear temptations. If you are faithful to My love, you will overcome the many temptations awaiting you. Be intelligent, understand what I told you in a spiritual way. Do not close the eyes of your soul. Do not let anyone deceive you. Love humility, simplicity. Never think that what you are doing is great. Think of what you have to do, of what you must do, not to merit Heaven, but to save the world so that it may fulfill My divine will. Every soul that prepares itself, every soul well disposed to hear Me, will know My will. Conchita, I wish to tell you that you will suffer a great deal from now on until the Miracle, for few will believe you. Even your family will think you deceived them. I am the One who has wanted all that. I told you so, for your sanctification and for the world to fulfill the Message. I want to warn you that the remainder of your life will be a continual suffering."
"Do not be afraid. You will find Me in suffering, Me and Mary, whom you love so much."
I asked Him if in Rome also I would not be believed and He did not answer me.
Then He told me: "Do not worry about whether or not you are believed. I am the One who will do everything, but I will also give you suffering. I will be with whoever suffers for Me."
[From 'Garabandal' Book pages 206-207]

Image by tiseb via Flickr

"Do not be afraid," Jesus said to Conchita! I remember that those were the first words the newly elected Pope John Paul II said from the balcony at the Vatican before hundreds of thousands of the faithful!

And we shouldn't be afraid because the Lord is with us, walking and sometimes carrying us on our spiritual journey to Heaven! But He says also that we have to work at it, helping all those we meet, including our own family, to believe and live the Faith. And as we live our faith in conformity with the Lord, we will experience suffering. Jesus said we suffer for His sake, His will and the salvation of the world. Amazing! Here we are, little nobodies, helping Jesus save the world! Offer and unite your sufferings to Jesus! It will save your soul!
Deacon John

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1965:

CONCHITA OPENS UP WITH
GERMAN EDITOR ALBRECHT WEBER

The German publisher was at the village on the very day Conchita had her last apparition of the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel. During his stay, he had a series of conversations with Conchita, of which he published certain excerpts in 1993, in his fine book, 'Garabandal, The Hand of God.'

In the presence of Aniceta, Eloisa Deguia (Madrid), and his own sister, the conversations bore, among other major topics, on "the last Popes," on the future "Unity of the Church," on "abortion" as well, about which Conchita, astonished, pointed out to A. Weber that it would cause the Cup of divine Wrath to overflow! The Blessed Virgin had spoken about this unfortunate practice to the visionary, in terms that had left her stunned. Indeed, at the time, Conchita did not understand "how it was possible to kill a child in his (or hers) mother's womb without killing the mother at the same time . . .!"
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 203]

Yes, in the early 60's, we didn't hear too much about abortion, and I myself, probably didn't understand it like Conchita. "How can you kill a baby inside its mother and not kill the mother too?"

Ten years later, the Supreme Court changed all that and almost everyone now knew what it meant by having an abortion, although the media told us that it was only a blob, not a baby. Everything was based on a lie!

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

My wife and I joined a Pro-Life group at the local church on Long Island, and we began to picket and pray and lobby for Life! We also went to Washington D.C. for the March for Life every January. Sometimes I was the Bus Captain. We brought our children with us wherever we went, unless my wife went alone with a group. Then I would stay home and watch the kids. Those were very active days cause I was also involved with the Workers of Mount Carmel spreading the messages of Garabandal too. I had my own trucking business, so I could work my own hours and then do the other stuff. I thank God for these graces that we received enabling us to serve Him and the unborn!!!
Deacon John

SUNDAY, JULY 18, 1965:

From Left in 1947: Luis, Marcelino, Maria Luisa, Ramón and Rafael.

LOCUTION AND APPARITION OF THE
BLESSED VIRGIN OF MOUNT CARMEL
TO CONCHITA . . . ABOUT FRS. MARCELINO
AND ALEJANDRO ANDREU, S.J.

Village church of San Sebastian. Image via Wikipedia

The solemn Feast of St. Sebastian in the village (thanks to a special ecclesiastical indult) also a key day in the events, a day which was, as in the previous years, to be amply "emphasized" at San Sebastian de Garabandal.

Father Marcelino Andreu celebrated Mass at the village. During his sermon, Conchita was favored with a locution from the Blessed Virgin who, moreover, appeared to her at home at the end of the same day. The visionary learned then that Fathers Alejandro and Marcelino Andreu "would see" the Miracle, just like had been the case for their brother Luis (August 8, 1961). Astonishing enough, Fr. Alejandro was to die on August 9, 1989, at Caracas, very precisely at 4 a.m., the same day and at the same time as Luis in 1961! He was about sixty years old. As to Fr. Marcelino, he was to die on June 17, 1998, at Bilbao, after a long illness (leukemia). Thus, the meaning of the apparition to Mrs. Andreu (see April 30, 1962) of her son Luis and of the other two Jesuit priests whom she had seen only from their backs, emerged, at last!

In various degrees, the four Andreu brothers had been, all of them, "witnesses" of the phenomena that occurred at San Sebastian de Garabandal; furthermore, all "saw" or will see the great Miracle; Luis, Alejandro and Marcelino before the future "D" day, Father Ramon on the "D" day itself, since we know, according to some valuable documents, that in the twenty-four or forty-eight hours following the Miracle, the latter, accompanied by the "skeptical" Padre Justo,

O.F.M., will sing the Te Deum . . . !

[From ;Garabandal' Book, page 198]

Jesuit emblem. Image via Wikipedia

Father Ramon also died in November, 2004 of Cancer. after serving since 1971 in a parish (St. Kevin's) in California. So all the brothers who were Jesuit priests, have gone on to eternity. And that's where they will see the great Miracle! If we die before it comes, we too will see it in eternity, especially because we have been so interested in the Garabandal events. 

Where do you want to see the Warning, Miracle and great Sign? For myself, I want only what God wants, so if He allows me to be here, great! If not, so be it, I hope to be in Heaven looking down on you!
Deacon John

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1963:

Conchita in ecstasy

Awakened by a mysterious interior uneasiness, Conchita went to the church at around 5:30 a.m. with her mother. Before the church doors, she fell into ecstasy . . . The Blessed Virgin first "wished me a happy birthday," adding these profound words (almost identical to those said, in 1858, to Bernadette in Lourdes): "You will not be happy on Earth, but, yes, you will be in Heaven!" She also revealed to her other "future events" about which the visionary was told "not to make known" . . .
[Excerpt from 'Garabandal' Book, page 179]

Saint Bernadette Soubirous Image via Wikipedia

Those "words" of Our Lady to Bernadette have always stuck in my mind, "I can't promise you happiness here on earth, only in heaven." And I've repeated them to others when I thought they needed to hear them. Think about it. Are we ever really happy here? Sure there's moments of happiness, like a birthday party, a wedding, a new baby, etc., but the next day or even hours sometimes, comes some problem, some sadness, some trouble. In Heaven it will be total happiness for all eternity! Imagine that! I can't wait! In the meantime we can offer up our unhappiness to the Lord in reparation for our sins and the sins of the whole world.
God Bless
Deacon John

Uncorrupt Body of St. Bernadette Image via Wikipedia

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1963:

Amazing photo of Conchita levitating!

END OF THE ECSTASIES (EXCEPT VERY SPORADICALLY, FOR CONCHITA)

For Conchita as well, the great period of the apparitions came to an end on that day. She would have no more ecstasies, except in a very sporadic way. On this Sunday, also the Feast of San Sebastian, Patron Saint of the village, Conchita, in ecstasy, visited the last house of Garabandal that had not yet been visited! Doctor Jean Caux, who then was present, said that this ecstasy lasted more than two hours. for him it was one of "the most beautiful ecstasies I ever witnessed!"

[From 'Garabandal' Book. page 163]

And so this stage of the "Events" of Garabandal has ended, and a new time begins, as we shall see in further posts that some of the girls started to receive locutions, where Jesus and Mary talk to them interiorly, privately. This is like a one to one conversation with the supernatural. Many Saints experienced locutions and wrote volumes of books on their revelations . . .

Conchita said once that she would rather have a locution over an apparition, cause then she has God inside her talking. Very interesting!
Deacon John

SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1963:

Mari-Loli's last ecstasy (two months later she, as well as Conchita, will enter into the phase of her locutions). For some time already (Fall 1962), the visionary had known the very year of the future Warning, and also that "the Aviso will come less than a year before the great Miracle," furthermore that "both of these future great events might occur the very same year . . ." (Mari-Loli first public declarations, 1975).
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 162]

Like I said before, I think it's too late for the Miracle this year of 2010, but the Warning could come any day now. Just when it looks the worst for mankind, it will happen. The whole world will come to a dead stop, suspended in time for a few minutes as we all see our sins flashed before our eyes, all the bad we have done and all the good we have failed to do. It will be a mini-chastisement! There will be sufferings and some may die from having a heart-attack! Those who love God, will love Him even more! Everyone will know and believe that this supernatural event is from God!

All I can say is: Why wait? Go to confession now if you need forgiveness. Be in a state of grace so that your sins will be few, if any. Then we will get through all this peacefully, and will be able to help others in their agony!!!
Deacon John

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1962:

Some new explanations were given Conchita about new circumstances of the future Miracle: "It will occur at 8:30 p.m." (Spanish time), "on a Thursday," truly a Eucharistic and priestly day, also a day, par excellence, of the Unity of Christians. Indeed, it was on the evening of the Last supper in the Upper Room, that Christ addressed His sublime prayer to God; "Father, that they may all be One, as You are in Me and I am in You" (John 17: 21). There are so many corresponding details - but there are others! - that lead us to think that the "D" day might "fall" on a Holy Thursday. This intuition seemed all the more valid since we know that the "D" day will fall in the month of . . . April and, to repeat it, on a very special "Thursday," although we now know that it will not be a Holy Thursday! Conchita also said that: "the Miracle will last about a quarter of an hour; it will be seen in heaven, so clearly or in such an obvious way that there will no longer exist any doubts about the existence of God and His love for mankind." "The sick present at Garabandal, the place of the Miracle, will be healed."

Finally, Conchita "will announce the date eight days prior to the Miracle." Again, according to the visionary, "it will be the greatest Miracle that Jesus will ever have performed for the world."
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 159]

Site of the future Miracle. Image by garabandal archives via Flickr

Now we are getting into some good news as the Miracle is slowly explained to us . . . Guess what? It's past April, so I doubt the Miracle will occur this year. Why? Because the Warning has to come first, to prepare the world for the Miracle. Both are supposed to happen within the same year. I could be wrong, though, so don't give up yet!

But lets think about some of the things that Conchita said about this Miracle:
1. It will occur on a Thursday evening at 8:30 P.M. Spanish time. That means about midnight for us here on the East Coast of America. I hope I'm awake to watch it on EWTN!

2. It will be Eucharistic! Could it be a vision of the Holy Mass? That's what Sister Lucia of Fatima saw in a vision!

3. It will unite all Christians into One! "Hooray!"

4. The whole world will believe in God! Goodbye Atheists and Darwin lovers!

5. All the sick present at Garabandal will be healed! Get your plane tickets ready if you have cancer, aids, TB, blind, deaf, lame, etc. for your personal miracle!

6. It will be announced 8 days in advance. Will the TV News announce it too? I think so, cause they went through the Warning and purification like the rest of us!

7. It will be the greatest Miracle Jesus will perform for the world.

That's it folks, last chance to convert before the "Second Coming of Christ"! He will do no more for us! Keep tuned for more revelations about the Miracle that is sure to come!!!
Deacon John

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1962:

A PRODIGIOUS "NOVEMBER 18":
"THE COUNCIL (THEN ALSO THE
FUTURE AVISO) AND THE MIRACLE
TO COME WILL BE A POWERFUL
CONTRIBUTION TO THE CONVERSION -
EVANGELIZATION OF THE ENTIRE WORLD!"

On this Sunday, also the Feast of the Dedication or Consecration of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul, the Blessed Virgin informed Conchita that "the Council and the great Miracle would help to convert the whole world!" One of the main objects of Vatican II being the perfect Unity of all Christians, it seemed logical that the Blessed Virgin would have chosen this privileged liturgical framework to clarify further to the visionary, that "the divided Churches will again become ONE . . . on the very day of the Miracle!"

Although we still do not have an absolutely explicit assurance of this, it appears very plausible that Conchita received also, on this same day, some complementary information about the exceptional circumstances that will surround the famous "D" day, the future "great Church event."

In any case, we possess an authentic sound recording of the ecstasy of this November 18, 1962. It was taken by a key-witness of prime importance attending the phenomena of Garabandal: Don Placido Ruiloba (Santander). On this tape, one can hear a voice, not the voice of Conchita, which suddenly breaks out and clearly pronounces the word . . . "COUNCIL," the only word actually recorded and preserved of the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel "speaking" at San Sebastian de Garabandal!
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 158]

Unbelievable! Our Lady's voice captured on tape! I guess we would all love to hear it, even if it is only one word. I've heard recordings of the children praying the Rosary, in a very supernatural way, but haven't heard Our Lady yet!

But getting to the core of this particular day, imagine what is going to happen on the day of the great Miracle. The whole world will be converted and believe in Jesus and Mary! And this re-uniting of all Churches, WOW, I can't wait. I love our separated brethren and long for their return to the True Faith! Plus, to be honest with you, it will allow me and you, if you want, to celebrate the Eucharist in other Churches, like the Orthodox. I love their Divine Liturgy and long to receive Holy Communion at their Mass.

"Come Holy Spirit, renew the face of the earth!"

Image via Wikipedia

Roman Deacon

SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 1962:

AN OUTSTANDING "FEAST OF THE
ANNUNCIATION" AT GARABANDAL

A sheer wonder as well was this Feast of the "Annunciation" (or "Incarnacion del Senor," as it is still called, and rightly so, in Spain) in the little village of San Sebastian de Garabandal.

From 9:30 p.m. until midnight, Conchita, Mari-Loli and Jacinta, in ecstasy,sang the entire Rosary for the first time! They added several verses, that the Blessed Virgin inspired them to sing, to the traditional announcements of the different mysteries, including several short stanzas from the Ave Maria of Fatima. Always in ecstasy, the girls invited the people to join them in their singing. They rejoiced over the number of people accompanying them, and exclaimed:
"Ah, how happy the Blessed Virgin is! How she is smiling, and how she is looking at all of us!"

The stanzas 3, 4, 5 and 6 were taken, as we said, from the Ave Maria of Fatima.
The "three times" to which the children refer in the seventh stanza were obviously corresponding to the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes, at Fatima and at Garabandal. By virtue of the traits and accent proper to each of these "Three greatest public Marian apparitions," we can already observe how Lourdes is related to the Joyful Mysteries, Fatima to the Sorrowful Mysteries, and Garabandal to the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. A truly admirable "spiritual logic"!

Translation of a few stanzas sung by the visionaries in ecstasy:

O MOST BLESSED MARY,
FLOWERS, WE BRING YOU,
THE HOLY ROSARY,
TO YOU WE OFFER.
(AVE MARIA, AVE MARIA, ETC . . .)

O BLESSED MARY,
YOUR EYES ARE NOW FIXED . . .
ON EACH AND EVERY HEART
OF THIS HUMAN WORLD.
(AVE MARIA, AVE MARIA, ETC . . .)

THE FASHIONS BEAR US
TO THE FIRES OF HELL.
SO, MODESTY DRESS
IF YOU WISH TO BE SAVED.
(AVE MARIA, AVE MARIA, ETC . . .)

YOU MUST DO PENANCE,
AND YOU MUST ALSO PRAY,
FOR ALL SINNERS
PRAY FOR FORGIVENESS.
(AVE MARIA, AVE MARIA, ETC . . .)

ON THE THIRTEENTH OF MAY
THE VIRGIN MARY
CAME DOWN FROM THE HEAVENS
TO THE COVA DA IRIA.
(AVE MARIA, AVE MARIA, ETC . . .)

MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN
NOW YOU KNOW OUR MESSAGES;
THE VIRGIN MARY WANTS THEM ALL DONE
FOR THE GOOD OF ALL HOMES.
(AVE MARIA, AVE MARIA, ETC . . .)

THE VIRGIN HAS WARNED US:
WITH THIS TIME, IT MAKES THREE.
OH, SWEET VIRGIN MARY,
WHAT GRIEF DEATH GIVES US!
(AVE MARIA, AVE MARIA, ETC . . .)

MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN,
RECITE THE ROSARY,
SO IN THE OTHER WORLD,
YOU MAY FIND REST.
(AVE MARIA, AVE MARIA, ETC . . .)

[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 128]

What a powerful day for the girls and for us! There is so much truth in this apparition on the Feast of the Annunciation. Just meditating on the fact that Jesus was conceived in Mother Mary's womb on this day, His humanity began by the power of the Holy Spirit in the Mystery of the Incarnation.

When I pray this Mystery of the Rosary, I always join the two together, Annunciation and Incarnation. The Spanish are right, this Feast should be called the "Incarnacion del Senor"!

Pause a moment and re-read those stanzas. How beautiful and enlightening they are! There's some powerful lessons to be learned from these children of Garabandal!!!
Deacon John

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1961:

Pastor Don Valentin

"THE BLESSED VIRGIN TOLD ME ONE THING . . .
MORE IMPORTANT THAN ALL YOU
[DON VALENTIN] HAVE WRITTEN UNTIL NOW."

First day and also first Sunday of the "month of the Holy Rosary" Conchita, at the end of a nocturnal ecstasy, told Don Valentin that she had just learned something from the Blessed Virgin which was far more important than anything that the pastor of Garabandal had been able to note until now. It dealt almost certainly with the future conversion of Protestants or Anglicans, according to what Conchita herself told Placido Ruiloba at that time: "Why do you criticize the Protestants, since 'soon' [better said 'without delay' ('pronto'), since that Spanish word does not in effect mean necessarily 'soon,' but rather the fact that an event will occur 'fast and unhindered'], we will be reunited (or "ONE" - comunes)". Our Lady would reveal gradually to the visionary the first element of a future "major Church event," that is, "the perfect Unity of all Christians at last being accomplished, the very "reunification of Churches" in the Unique Church of Christ! True she began revealing it, one might reasonably think, through the deceased Padre Luis, from August 15, 1961 on other people there. Kind of a prophetic preview and experience of the future worldwide AVISO? [The Warning].

As to Maximo Foerschler, a German engineer and a fervent Protestant, he went to San Sebastian de Garabandal for the first time on the 13th of October 1961. Later he was to return there many times. The Blessed Virgin said of him to the visionaries, that "he believes in God, but little in Me. He will believe . . .". Effectively, that is what was to happen. Very quickly convinced of the supernatural authenticity of Garabandal when he was still a Protestant, Mr. Foerschler would eventually write his testimony in a remarkable document addressed to Msgr. Beitia Aldazabal.
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, pages 105-106]

Already, Our Lady is giving the girls some prophecies, which actually are quite amazing! In our present time, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict is going out of his way trying to reunite the Eastern Church with Rome. He even risked his life by going to Turkey and celebrated Divine Liturgy with the Patriarch. He has released his Motu Proprio on the Traditional Mass and the Vatican issued a Document on the Nature of the Catholic Church! Why? Because it is God's will that we be ONE. And it is our duty to pray for this unity, as Jesus prayed "Father, may they be one, as we are One." And not just the Eastern Churches, but all Christianity must be One. 

So as we pray for this unity, Our Lady tells us that it will be through a direct intervention of God that it will happen. The Warning, when everyone on earth will see how they are offending God and each other. Our Lady had said in another apparition in Egypt: "I have said: The Church is the kingdom of Heaven on earth. He who divides it has done wrong, and he who rejoices in its division has also done wrong. My children be united!." 

Yes , sadly, there are Christians who rejoice that they are separated from the Catholic Church. I have even heard Catholics slander our separated brethren. I look forward to this great day of unification, when we will all be ONE. How about you?
Deacon John

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1961:

A DISCREET "PRESENCE" AND YET,
WHAT AN ELOQUENT ONE . . .
OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI!

Here again, we set the following scene approximately on this Sunday, then also the Feast of the "Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi": Conchita, in ecstasy, is holding in her hand her small crucifix which appeared then to witnesses as "surrounded by a brilliant light."
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 105]

St. Francis is one of my favorite Saints! Yes, he received the "stigmata" from the Lord Jesus, who appeared to him as a flying angel! Very mystical!!! Did you know that St. Francis was also a deacon! He's my brother in the holy diaconate! He didn't go on to be ordained a priest. He stayed a deacon forever! I love his spirituality. As a matter of fact, I belong to a third order of Franciscans called "The Brothers and Sisters of Penance of St. Francis" (BSP). Here is their
web site: http://www.bspenance.org/. They would love to have you as a member!!!
Deacon John

SUNDAY, JULY 23, 1961:

THE CHILD JESUS AND THE VISIONARIES,
THE FIRST OF THE RARE "COSMIC PHENOMENA"
AT GARABANDAL

Our Lady, who had come with the Child Jesus, authorized the children for the first time to take Him in their arms. They felt His weight, noting, however, that they had the impression of not being really in contact with His little body.

Another first on this Sunday: beginning of the "cosmic phenomena" at San Sebastian de Garabandal. On that day, the young girls saw large stars with a long tail. Some of these phenomena were sometimes visible to everyone. They will reach their peak, and by far . . . , with the "very great Miracle" of the future "D" day to be revealed eventually, first to Conchita (on October 18, 1961).
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 67.]

Many saints have held the Child Jesus! Remembering St. Anthony, whose statues and holy cards always show him with the Baby Jesus in his arms. So it's not surprising that Our Blessed Mother gave Jesus to the girls to hold. Later on Conchita asked Our Lady: "When the Baby doesn't come, where is He? In heaven? . . . or in a cradle? . . . " See how a child's mind works! Conchita thought that Jesus always was a Baby. St. Francis of Assisi, of course, was one of the first Saints to have a strong devotion to the Infant Jesus and staged Nativity scenes with live people at Christmas time.

There was a lot of "cosmic phenomena" at Fatima, during OurLady's apparitions there in 1917. And the people who were there also witnessed the strange events, like falling flower petals that disappeared before they hit the ground, low clouds circling the Holm oak tree Our Lady stood upon, an orb of light surrounding and transporting Our Lady into heaven, etc., etc. Real manifestations of the supernatural! I'd probably faint with joy to see these sights! How about you?
Deacon John

SUNDAY, JULY 16, 1961

Photo most likely taken in 1962 or 1963. Mari Loli receives an invisible host;
her younger sister, Rosoura (Sari) watches in the background.

FIRST REAL COMMUNIONS GIVEN BY THE
ARCHANGEL ST. MICHAEL TO THE
VISIONARIES.

On the Feastday of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the Blessed Virgin awakened the four children very early in the morning. They were to receive the first of some fifty real Communions from St. Michael. These occurred either in public or without any witnesses, and at various locations, except the village church and in homes.
That morning, the girls, in ecstasy, climbed, also for the first time, the very steep calleja up to the Pines, where, at 5 a.m., the Archangel gave the Eucharist to Mari-Cruz and Conchita. The latter would receive five or six of her subsequent Communions at this site on very particular liturgical days.

One hour later, also on the 16th of July, Mari-Loli and Jacinta, in turn, received the Eucharist at the site of the "Rock of the Angel" located on a lower level than the Pines and so named because St. Michael had stood there several times.
During the whole period of the apparitions, the visionaries received Communion almost every day, either at the Mass in the village, or from the hands of the Angel when there was no priest at Garabandal. The nine Pines at San Sebastian de Garabandal are what remains from a small plantation of pines and oaks organized in 1947 by the pastor of the village, by Serafin Gonzalez, Conchita's grandfather on her father's side, and by the mayor of the area.

Set on a slightly higher level above the village and with no trees in the area, the Pines, as we will often have the opportunity of mentioning them, are the neuralgic center, really "chosen" for the phenomena and the events of Garabandal past and . . . to come.
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 65.]

Again that 'link' to Fatima, Our Lady continuing her appearances to the world as "Our Lady of Mount Carmel." The "Carmelites" in Spain have been a powerful spiritual force for many years prior to this. Remembering St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, who continue to inspire us today with their writings. And of course the Brown Scapular of Our Lady itself, where by wearing it, we consecrate ourselves to Her and She promises to take us under Her mantle of protection. I never take my Scapular off, even in the shower (it dries in minutes) except once when I had a MRI scan and the doctor ordered me to take it off. I felt naked without it and couldn't wait to put it back on!
At Fatima the Archangel acted as an 'Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion' and so he does again at Garabandal. Even the Angels are called to serve! How about you? The church is always looking for holy people to assist with Communion. It's a wonderful, rewarding ministry, especially bringing the Blessed Sacrament to the 'homebound'.
Deacon John

SUNDAY, JULY 2, 1961:

On the Feastday of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary [traditional calendar], the two angels, who appeared one on each side of Our Lady, were St. Michael and St. Gabriel, the Angel of the Annunciation but also the Angel of supernatural dreams and prophetic revelations, more particularly those related to the divine and universal plan of the salvation of humankind. Gabriel appeared but once at San Sebastian de Garabandal.

[Isabel Daganzo, an artist painter, under Conchita's guidance, drew several sketches of these first apparitions. In one illustration of the Blessed Virgin with the two Angels, an "Eye" is drawn at the top.]

The "Eye of God" ("ayin" in Hebrew, "ophtalmos" in Greek): what a theme! This word, or expression, in its singular form rarely used in the Bible, is then applied explicitly to the divine omniscience and providence. Given the four previous manifestations of the Shekinah, the eruption of this "Eye of God" who "alone probes the loins and the hearts" and who plunges down into everything and everyone, is not surprising.

The iconographic signal here is absolutely correct: in Holy Scripture, indeed, right prevails over left, and top over bottom. In the children's vision. the Eye, placed above Mary, effectively designates Yahweh, who dominates all creation, all times and History itself.

At Lourdes, during Her last apparition, July 16, 1858, Mary (the Immaculate Conception) manifested herself to Bernadette, "more beautiful than ever," and not without a profound reason, since it was the Feast of "Our Lady of Mount Carmel" . . .

At Fatima, it was the same, Mary having also appeared, for the fourth and the last time on October 13, 1917, under the title and the form of "Nossa Senhora do Carmo." These were undoubtedly prophetic signs of her later "manifestations" at Garabandal: consequently, a fulfilled rendezvous!
[Excerpted from "Garabandal" Book, pages 44, 45.]

As I said before, this was the link that made me believe in Garabandal immediately, "Our Lady of Mount Carmel." I started to wear the "Brown Scapular" around this time (1970) and have never taken it off! It's interesting about the two Angels appearing with Our Blessed Lady. At Fatima, just St. Michael appeared. I wonder if this was a first in the history of Marian apparitions? God has a purpose for everything so there must be a deeper meaning for this besides the fact that it related to the Feast Day! Theologians say that St. Gabriel inspires us with Godly thoughts and gives us the "Strength of God"! That's how we can combat the evil one. Of course we have to ask for these gifts, they don't just come to us. Try it! I do ask every day! But, of course, I am very devoted to the Angels anyway.
Deacon John