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 yesterday 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?
Roman Deacon

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!!!
Roman Deacon

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!
Roman Deacon

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1961:

The camera that took a photo of the Blessed Virgin.

THE NIGHT OF THE FIFTY ECSTASIES!

From midnight to 4 A.M., Loli and Conchita had close to fifty ecstasies at Cochita's home.

Taking advantage of a moment of intermission, Reverend Ramon de la Riva, handed Conchita his old camera equipped with bellows and suggested that she take a photo of the Blessed Virgin. The girl rather handed the camera to Mari-Loli, then in ecstasy; she, not knowing anything about operating this camera, nevertheless went through the five steps needed to take a picture.

The photos were failures . . . The Blessed Virgin explained through the intermediary Mari-Loli to the good pastor of Barro, that "even if these photos had been better, he would not in any way have believed more than he already did."

Two other attempts, also by Mari-Loli, to "photograph" the Virgin of Mount Carmel (on March 12, 1962 and January 1, 1963) apparently did not come out any better.

[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 103]

People are always trying to take a picture of the supernatural! As if they would believe in God if they could see Him! But Jesus said "Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed." (St. John 20:29) I have to admit, if someone says they have a miraculous picture, I want to see it out of curiosity. Sometimes God does allow the supernatural to break through and our weak faith is strengthened by seeing or hearing. I have a book with over 400 pictures of the events in Garabandal, many showing the girls levitating, marching backward down hills, many miraculous images. These help me to believe and strengthen my faith in Our Lady's apparitions. How about you? Do you need proof of God's existence? The Great Sign to come at Garabandal will help everyone to believe in God! That's Mary's promise!

God Bless+
Roman Deacon

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1961:

Queen Fabiola and King Baudoin

KING BAUDOIN AGAIN AT SAN
SEBASTIAN DE GARABANDAL

The Belgian sovereign had already visited San Sebastian de Garabandal several times. Taking advantage of holidays he was spending in Spain with his wife of Spanish origin, Queen Fabiola, he returned to this village on September 12, 1961. He thus attended the ecstasies of that day and even found himself "bound" to one of the visionaries in a particular way. One of them made a step backward and stepped on his foot, to the point of keeping him rooted to the spot!

At the funeral Mass for King Baudoin (d. July 31, 1993), Cardinal Daneels (Malines - Brussels) dwelt at length on the "secret" of the deceased man. Under the cover of the monarch's public activities (the process of his possible beatification was even mentioned), flowed a calm and hidden spring: his life in God, to the rhythm of prayer and penance with a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin, whom he venerated very particularly as "Our Lady of Mount Carmel," and to the Eucharist. "The day will come when the Sovereign's 'secret' will be revealed, and the world will then be in amazement," explained Cardinal Daneels.

In the night of September 12 to 13, then Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, the girls, in ecstasy, recited the whole fifteen mysteries of the rosary . . .
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book page 101]

I'm trying to remember the comments I made about this excerpt. I think I said that there were many saintly Kings and Queens who led lives of Faith, Hope and Charity, helped their subjects in their needs and were devout! Then there were those like Henry the Eight and Elizabeth the First, and many others, who persecuted Catholics and murdered many priests, nuns, and laity. When I read those stories about how the English Saints were martyred, it sends chills up my spine. I ask myself 'How could these monarchs be so evil, murdering these innocent Christians and trying to destroy the Catholic Faith, the Church of Jesus Christ?'

Today just happens to be the feast of Blessed Rodger Dickenson, Blessed Ralph Milner, and Blessed Lawrence Humphrey.

These three martyrs lived in England during the time of Church persecution by Queen Elizabeth I. "Mr." Roger Dickenson was an undercover diocesan priest. Ralph Milner was a husband and father. He worked as a farm laborer and was brought into the Church through the good example of his neighbors. The day he made his First Communion he was put into prison for being a Catholic. The jailer liked Mr. Milner so his prison confinement was not strict at first. For several years, he went on "parole" to find supplies of food and whatever the other prisoners needed. While on parole, he was of great help to "Mr." Dickenson and Father Stanney, a Jesuit. The day came when Father Dickenson, too, was caught. He and Mr. Milner were brought to trial together. Father Dickenson was tried for the crime of being a Catholic priest. Mr. Milner was tried for helping Father Dickenson perform his ministry. The judge looked at the crowd in the courtroom. He thought of Mrs. Milner and the couple's eight children. He wanted to free Milner at all costs. "All you have to do," he said, "is visit a Protestant church, just for a few minutes, to say you have been there. I'll let you go free to be with your family." Mr. Milner quietly and firmly refused. He and Father Dickenson went bravely to their deaths. It was July 7, 1591. The third martyr, Lawrence Humphrey, had been brought into the Church by Father Stanney, S.J. He would not give up the faith he had so recently acquired. Lawrence was just twenty-one years old when he was martyred.

Oh! How our beloved Church has suffered these past 2000 years! No wonder Our Lord sweated Blood in the Garden the night before He died, seeing all this persecution before His eyes! Lord, have mercy on us! Father, forgive them, they know not what they do (I hope)!

Roman Deacon

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!
Roman Deacon

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1961:

Conchita and Padre Alejandro in 1964

ARRIVAL OF PADRE ALEJANDRO MARIA ANDREU, S.J.,
AT SAN SEBASTIAN DE GARABANDAL,
FROM VENEZUELA

In the inn belonging to Conchita's father, Our Lady warned Conchita, in ecstasy, that a missionary was in the village. He was Alejandro Maria Andreu with his brother Ramon, coming for the first time to meet the visionaries. Manifesting her predilection for this particular
priesthood, the Blessed Virgin revealed to Conchita several personal details about the life of Alejandro, then a missionary in Venezuela since the age of eighteen.
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 100]

The three brothers were all Jesuits, Fr. Luis, Fr. Ramon and Fr. Alejandro.

I just found out that Fr. Ramon died in November 2004 at the age of 81 in California.

The mother of these three priests, entered a convent in Spain and was professed a nun after the death of Fr. Luis.

Notice that Our Lady knows all our personal details . . . That could be embarrassing to some of us! Dear Mother of Mercy, pray for us!

And slowly many witnesses have passed on as we await the prophecies to be fulfilled in our life time!

I always wonder if I'll be around for the Warning and great Miracle? I'm 70 years old now and only the Lord knows how long I will live. Actually, I'm surprised I lived this long. My family has a history of dying young (in their 60's) and I was a sickly child until I reached my late teens. So we never know!

I have a promise to keep on the day of the Miracle that I vowed to God many years ago! I hope to fulfill that promise!

Roman Deacon