Fr. Ramon Andreu's Notes: Part Two, Post 36

On November 2, 1961, the Apostolic Administrator Doroteo Fernández published the second note, with the motive of ending the comments about the message. It said:

“My much-loved children: It has been a time since I told you what your attitude should be regarding the public rumors that attribute certain marvelous happenings, especially revelations, apparitions, and oral locutions as well as other signs that are more or less extraordinary to the Most Holy Virgin.

We wanted to see the most discretion and prudent in all of you because that is how the Church judges the supernatural nature of these phenomena. The Lord is powerful and does not give the Revelation that pleases me, to show it and tell us how much I have in his goodness, but it would be a great lack of acceptance that the Lord has come blowing with human opinion. When God wants to speak he does it in clear, unequivocal terms. When he wants to tell us something he words cannot be twisted or confused. And this is the Church formed by Jesus Christ, not by the public opinion, much less by personal opinion, who completes definitive justice about all of these events that are supposedly supernatural. No one should pray or attribute functions or powers that God has not trusted that may be so serious as a usurper or intruder.

In light of what has happened regarding the events that have occurred in San Sebastián de Garabandal, a village in our Diocese, I should tell you that when our pastoral duty ended, and in order to leave our light interpretations and the audacious that adventure here to give a definitive sentence where the Church doesn’t believe prudent to do. To orient the souls, we come to declare the following:

1. It is not evident that the mentioned apparitions, visions, locutions, or revelations cannot until now happen or have been confused for true and authentic.

2. The priests should absolutely abstain from contributing to the creation of confusion in the Christian village. They should avoid and be careful on what they depend on, the organization of visions and pilgrimages to the referred places.

3. They illustrate to the faithful with sobriety and charity near the true feeling of the Church in these matters. Make them know that our faith does not need these supports of supposed revelations and miracles to sustain them. We believe that God has revealed and the Church teaches us. This category seems like clear and authentic miracles of Jesus Christ. He gives us his doctrine as proof, and there is nothing to be added to it. If he does it through his Most Holy Mother who has spoken with us about we should listen to her words and to say like Samuel: “Speak, Lord, I serve and hear you.”

4. They equally included the best disposition to hear the voice of God and to surmise perfectly, completely, and humbly to the teachings of the Church, and that no one can hear the results of the voice of the Father who is in Heaven if they reject the doctrine of the Mother Church with arrogance that keeps and blesses us on earth.

5. You, loved faithful, are not seduced by any wind of doctrine. Listen docilely and trust the teaching of your priests, who are put at your side to be teachers of truth in the Church.

I know that you have been impatient and expectant and that the turbulence that had empowered many spirits before the proximity of the dates that have recently passed. I want to bring sustenance and tranquility to your souls, because it is a basic necessity to have serene and balanced judgment. I hope that no one bothers our beautiful talent of peace and that we rest in God and “we are not alarmed, not in spirit, word or letter,” as St. Paul said to the Thessalonian's.

Making these our sentiments, loved children, we hope that the Virgin, who greets us with the name of Sedes Sapientiae Moroda of Wisdom, she illuminates us to know all that interests us in the glory of her Son and of our Salvation.”—Doroteo, A.A.

Fr. Ramon Andreu's Notes: Part Two, Post 35

In 1962, in order to reaffirm the faith of the believers, the prodigy of Mr. Damians happened. Following history, we saw that from October 18, 1961 to July of 1962, on the day of Conchita’s miraculous communion, the prodigies, visions, ecstasies, and marches continued in the same rhythm.

The public, certainly, did not do what the message said, without beginning a movement to spread the message, but more to have it known than to do it. Apart from individual reactions not known publicly, they did not organize pentitential acts or visits to the Most Holy. To be perfect according to the spirit of the message and the Bishop of Santander’s notes, they should fulfill the message in the temples and cities they go, those who believe are obligated to do so. Our Mother in Heaven, in Lourdes and Fatima asked for concrete acts where she appeared. Here, through the message, she is asking for a popular movement of devotion to Jesus in the Sacrament in the whole world and to each person in their parish or city.

The public action gives understanding to that which has not fallen in the accounting of the principal, as Conchita has not tired of proclaiming, is to fulfill the message. In contrast, the attention has centered in awaiting the warning and the miracle, so that people will convert almost by force. They do not make sacrifices as has been demanded of us. Of course, this is how we are established, but we certainly work to be established.

The rhymn of the happenings of the four girls, with light variations of intensity lasted until January of 1963. (December 1962).

Fr. Ramon Andreu's Notes: Part Two, Post 34

Msgr. D. Fernandez

On June 18, 1961, the history begins with visions that include mystical phenomena, corraborated by thousands of people among whom are theologians, priests, doctors, and men of the village. All have seen, except for rare exceptions, the intervention of Our Mother in Heaven. As a result, there is a spiritual current that cleanses the piety of the assistants, the converts, etc.

On August 26th of the same year, Bishop Doroteo Fernández’s Apostolic Administrator published the first note, which said this:

“Before the constant questions we made about the naturality of the happenings that have occurred in San Sebastián de Garabandal, and with the desire to orient the faithful in the right interpretation of these times. We believe ourselves obligated to study the happenings as a pastoral duty.

With this end we name a Commission of people recognized for their prudence and knowledge of doctrine to inform us, with a guarantee of objectivity and competence regarding the happenings.

In view of the report that has been presented to us, we believe that it is premature to make a definitive judgment in pronouncing the natural origin of the phenomena in question. There will be nothing right now. We are obligated to affirm the supernatural origin of the events that have occurred there.

In view of this, and with the condition of a definitive judgment of the facts that are produced in the future, we declare:

1. It is our desire that the priests, diocesan as well as those not from the diocese, and the religious of both sexes, will abstain from going to San Sebastián de Garabandal at present.

2. We advise the Christian village not to frequent the mentioned location without an ecclesiastical report about the situation.

With these provisional measures we certainly don’t hinder divine action over souls, but the opposite effect. We take away the spectacular character of the happenings, and enable the light of the truth. Doroteo, A. de Santander—Santander August 26, 1961.”

In the note, as we see, he communicates that the commission will act, and that at the moment he is not obligated to declare the supernatural nature of the events.

Nevertheless, this note makes a tacit recognition of a celestial origin and expresses the desire not to hinder divine action over souls, a test that the commission has observed. It does not prohibit the faithful from attending the ecstasies; it only asks for prudence and it is clear that it has observed the spiritual benefits, and he does not want to cut this precious river of Grace. The advice is to avoid excesses.

It seems that the mind of the Apostolic Administrador was sincerely favorable to the events and their supernatural nature even though he cites that there is not enough evidence to define it as such.

The phenomena continue with the four girls as protagonists, will new types of manifestations like ecstatic marches, falls, etc. This continued until October 18th of the same year, the date given by the girls as Our Mother in Heaven dictated, when there was a message for the world that said:

“We have to make many sacrifices and do a lot of penance and we have to visit the Most Holy often. We have to be very good because if we are not, a very large punishment will come to us. The cup is already filling up and if we don’t change, the punishment will come.”

It is certain that many were disallusioned when they heard this message, thinking that it seemed insignificant.

If they were disillusioned, the Bishop certainly gave them more reason with his note. They were not prepared to hear celestial words, supposing that is what they were. They awaited a glorious miracle, something spectacular, against the note. When it was not produced, they were disillusioned.

The marvalous events spurred spirituality but the message didn’t. It was a plain demonstration of the inversion of values that the note tried to forewarn.

Those who were witnesses believed during the prodigious tests, but it seemed to them that what they said was not very important. They didn’t understand that the girls were asking with urgency, in a fixed place, “the cup is filling up,” and to redouble their sacrifices and their penance, that what they were already doing wasn’t good enough, the gravity of the situation asked for much more. And, a new fact, a certain vision of forewarning, they asked for many visits to the Most Holy. If the Holy places were always full of adorers, then the modernists would not dare take them away or undervalue them. At that time there was time to save them through our efforts, but, by not understanding the message, they did not do it. They also urged a change in lifestyle, “we have to be very good,” and if it did not happen, “a punishment will come.”

This message which is so clear, but because of lack of meditation, and because of shock from the tests that were proven, was not understood. Some believed it to be the fruit of a simple composition in the place of the girls, imbued with religious ideas, or simply a recommendation of the cycle, without any greater transcendence than that of a sermon from a good predictor of things. They didn’t judge the value, but they reaffirmed their petitions more and more and their text.

Unfortunately, the reaction was small and lukewarm, as we know from the text of the second message. A serious warning for believers to fill themselves with strength and willingness to perform the received recommendations.

Fr. Ramon Andreu's Notes: Part Two, Post 33

The Bishopric of Santander and Garabandal

The note broadcasted by the Bishop of Santander on October 9, 1968 produced a wave of letters and articles that demonstrated an opposition to the Bishop’s conclusions about Garabandal.

This is serious because it suggests the state of feelings which were detrimental to the authority and credibility of the Bishop of Santander. This weighs everything down, and it is that which permits the awaited happenings to produce themselves. No one believes that the ecclesiastical authority will pass over the Bishop of Santander and support the happenings of Garabandal in the future.

As a result, it is much more useful as a good ending to everything we hoped, and for us to try to understand the bishops of Santander and the notes they have given.

It is certain that Our Mother in Heaven wants everything to arrive at a good end. The position of the bishops, though it seems contrary to ours, is not an impossible obstacle and has its explanation, which, once understood, fills us with faith and confidence as well as gratefulness to the bishops and the commission since we see their conduct as the immense prudence of the Church. In their conclusions, so different from those of the common feelings of others, we see the will of Providence, who has served as that exact instrument, as it has served the seers.

As a preliminary reflection, we should consider the justice that we can establish the charisma and effects in relation to the bishop’s notes, and we can see that there are two points of view.

If the note contains conclusions contrary to our convictions, we judge the intention of what has been written from this conclusion.

And that, by trying to understand the situation and intention of the writing, we deduce what the note produces. We can understand from this point of view when we have a favorable mindset, that we can’t extend the acceptance of the facts because of matters of form and conscience.

Also, everything that is said and written about Garabandal, whoever the author, is dependant upon the end of the matter, so they are only personal opinions, possibly very respectable, but none of them have the valor of knowing the resolution. The only thing that has weight or importance are the sworn declarations of the seers, witnesses, and official informants; facts given freely, without any physical, moral, or religious motive, because in these cases it would be null. Also, only official documents from the hierarchy, local or Vatican are valid.

With this preamble made, we’ll continue with the history of Garabandal, understanding that the notes have been written in these terms, which everyone knows.

Fr. Ramon Andreu's Notes: Part Two, Post 32

San Sebastián May 4, 1963

Hail Mary!

Mr. Masimo Foerschler,

Dear Sir: I’m going to answer your letter to say that I won’t forget to pray for your son. How was the operation?

You told me that the one who saw apparitions (Lourdes) made a very beautiful grotto and that the devotion of the people is very beautiful as well, but that the other is only comercial and that you’ve seen it. Is this true? You say that you didn’t feel the emotion here, but that the faith of the people and the grotto were very emotional. I thought that it was something else. St. Bernadette’s home was very beautiful.

Well, I have no news from here since there are no apparitions. Regards to your wife and children. Loving salutations from

Conchita González

Pray so that the Virgin’s message will be completed.

The Virgin and her Child will reward you.

Goodbye.

Note: The apparitions ended.

Fr. Ramon Andreu's Notes: Part Two, Post 31

San Sebastián de Garabandal—June 21, 1962

Dear Maximo and Araceli, I’m happy to say that when I received your letter we were all well, thank God. Maximo, this is to tell you that the Virgin has given us another message and it is this.

The Virgin has told us that we don’t await the punishment but that it will come without us awaiting it because the world has not changed and she has already told us this twice, but we don’t pay attention because the world is worse. We have to change a lot and we haven’t changed at all. Prepare and confess because the punishment is coming soon and the world stays the same and I say that the world hasn’t changed at all, and it is shame that it does not change soon because a very large punishment will come if the world does not change.

Maximo, now we have apparitions every day in the cuadro from 9 to 10 (PM). We had an apparition with the Angel last night at 11 and we had an apparition of the Virgin until 12. We didn’t go back to our houses until 6 in the morning because we were praying rosaries as the Virgin told us to do until the early morning.

Well, I don’t have anything more to say so I’ll say goodbye by saying I love you.

Jacinta González

Tell your children hello and give Araceli a tight hug for me.

My parents send their regards.

Note: This was a sad, frightening night. The whole village prayed the whole night and at 6AM they confessed and received the sacrament, believing that the world was going to end. Two nights later, this fear was repeated. The girls went up to the Pines alone to pray, and while crying, they had apparitions.

Fr. Ramon Andreu's Notes: Part Two, Post 30

San Sebastián on June 20, 1962

Dear Maximo, only four words to tell you the message that the Virgin told us yesterday, June 19th. The Virgin has told us that we don’t await the punishment but without waiting for it, it will come because the world has not changed and no one is paying attention because the world is worse and we have to change a lot, but it has not changed at all. Prepare yourselves and confess because the punishment is coming soon and the world continues the same, the world has not changed at all, and it is a shame that it does not change soon because a large punishment is coming if we don’t change. Since you have changed, don’t be afraid. We have to say this to everyone even Fr. Andreu. This message was told to Jacinta and me. A very tight hug to Araceli and Rolf, and a loving salutation from—

María Dolores Mazón

(Continuing on another side of the same letter)

Dear Fr. Ramón, although you haven’t answered me, I’m writing to you because I think about you a lot and I would like you to come here. This that you see in Maximo’s letter is for the whole world, so that we will be better, and when you return I’ll tell you everything the Virgin has told us. A very tight hug from—

─María Dolores─