Sister Luisa Maria Interview:

Father Luis died during an act of love. 
I never thought God would grant me so many graces with such a holy son.

By MARIA SARACO

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The only other person to see Our Blessed Mother at Garabandal was a 38-year old Spanish Jesuit Priest, Father Luis Marie Andreu. On August 8, 1961, Father Luis was among the spectators at "The Pines" when suddenly he became an integral part of the Garbandal drama, he was heard to say, "Miracle! Miracle! Miracle! Miracle!" Not only did he see The Virgin Mary, but he was shown the forthcoming "Great Miracle."
From left to right - Father Marcelino, Father Alejandro, Father Ramon and Father Luis with their mother who became Sister Luisa Maria. 
The four 11 and 12 year old children, Conchita, Loli, Jacinta and Mari-Cruz were already in ecstasy. They understood Our Lady to say to him: "You will soon be with me." Although, he had never had any history of serious illness, he died that same night of complete joy. His final words were: "Oh what a sweet and lovely mother we have in heaven ... how happy I am ... what a favor The Blessed Virgin has bestowed on me. How fortunate we are to have a mother like her in heaven! There is no reason to fear the supernatural life. The girls have given us an example of how we must act with the Blessed Virgin. There is no doubt in my mind that the things involving the girls are true. Why should the Blessed Virgin have chosen us? This is the happiest day of my life." With those words, Father bowed his head and died. Our Lady has said, "That on the day AFTER the 'Miracle' his body will be found to be incorrupt"
Father Luis who died of joy. 
Father Luis was born on July 3, 1923. Of his five brothers, three became Jesuits. Father Alejandro, the oldest was based in Caracas, Venezuela until he died on August 8,1990, with the date of his death and that of Father Luis mysteriously coinciding except for the year. Father Ramon, a very important eye-witness to several hundred ecstasies of the Garabandal seers, and who documented what he saw and heard along with his impressions, has been stationed in Los Angeles, California. The youngest brother, Father Marcelino, has been in Taiwan for many years and although he is seriously ill with a rare form of Lukemia, his condition remains stable.
On July 18, 1965, during a Mass celebrated at Garabandal by Fr. Marcelino, Conchita had a locution in which the Virgin said that Fr. Marcelino Andreu of China will be in Garabandal on the day of the great Miracle. In another locution, Conchita learned that Fr. Alejendro of South America will also be in the village for the Miracle.
Shortly after the death of Father Luis, his mother entered the cloister of The Salesian Order, at the Visitation Convent in San Sebastian, Spain. Finally realizing her life-long desire at age 65, she became Sister Luisa Maria, taking the name of her son Luis. During a tape-recorded interview, on October 21, 1990, I felt indeed so privileged to be able to chat with her and her Mother Superior, Sister Maria Elena. The following month on November 28,1990, looking much younger than her 94 years, still alert and agile, she peacefully passed away. She had anticipated her eternal meeting with Christ whom she had seen and conversed with many times over the years even prior to her entrance into the convent. While during her lifetime she wrote books dealing with contemplation, we cannot help but be inspired by the penetrating thoughts she had penned.

"My God, soon I think I will find myself with you. I see that You are already taking me to Yourself. How will our meeting be my Love? I hope that it will be of love for the love I feel for You. I want my soul to be empty so that Your love can fill it. And being with You, nothing makes me tremble. I desire to see You, to contemplate You. I see that You are looking at me and I am smiling before Your look that so earnestly longs for my heart. I would like to offer You a world of loves, but seeing myself so small for so much that I want to give You, I will give You the poor lowliness of my heart. I want to be a volcano of loves and to pass its lava through me erasing that which You don't like so that I am able to give You my pure love, being only for You." 

The following is only a small edited version of my 1-hour conversation with Sister Luisa where she describes the vision of Father Luis after his death along with the two unidentified Jesuits whose faces she did not see. If I were to speculate, which I rarely ever do in public, I would venture to say that they were her other two sons from whom the above prophecies concern, that is Fathers Alejandro and Marcelino. They were both alive at the time of the vision. And furthermore, can we not say that Jesus by calling Father Alejandro to heaven, on precisely the 29th anniversary of his brother's death is giving us an assuring message loud and clear that nothing happens by coincidence that all these events and prophecies have a definite part in God's Divine Plan as the passing of time will surely authenticate? We cannot help but recall His Words, "Do not be concerned whether they believe you or not I WILL DO ALL."
Sister Luisa Maria with her Mother Superior Maria Elena on her right. 
One night as I was preparing for bed in my convent room, I heard a voice say: "Father Luis is coming." The lights went out but I should say the lights turned on and then Luis appeared. I saw him just like I'm seeing you. I don't know if he was flesh or what, since I did not touch him. I cannot explain it. He didn't speak. I was so dumbfounded. I should have asked him 'where are you, what are you doing?' He looked at me smiling, he looked very good, calm, trim, very well groomed like a person that was very satisfied and after he was there for awhile, smiling and laughing, he stretched out his hand touching the doorknob, and without moving he disappeared.
There were two persons with him but I only saw their backs. They were dressed like Jesuits. They had the cassocks of the priest. Father Luis was laughing. I could see his white teeth just like I can see yours. The priests were in the same room but separated away from him. I could only see the back of them, but Father Luis was facing me.
"Were they taller or shorter than Father Luis? "They were about the same height. "Do you have any idea who they could be?" No, I didn't see their faces. They were just having a private conversation between themselves without being concerned with what was going on. "Have you seen Father Luis any other time since then." No, but even though it has been more than 25 years, I recall it as though I have just seen him.
"Do you know the exact date that Father Alejandro died? 
Yes, he died on the 8th of August (1990 in Caracas, Venezuela). It was the very same month, date, and hour as when Father Luis died (August 9,1961 in Spain).
"But Father Luis died on August 9 not the 8th." When calculating the time difference it comes out to the 8th of August. Father Alejandro had as a souvenir the wrist watch that belonged to Father Luis and he was wearing it when he died.
"Someday Father Luis will be made a saint." Yes, of course but their have to be some miracles before his beatification. What does the church think about it? "He is a saint." He died during an act of love. I never thought that God would grant me so many graces with such a holy son. "And the reason for that is because he has such a holy mother."


From http://www.garabandal.org/index.shtml

Book of the Year!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY
Catholic PRWire

CUMMING, Ga (February 15, 2010) - A new book that compares the prophecies of the Bible, especially concerning the latter times, with the heavenly apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in our times, has been receiving positive acclaim, and is even being called the "Book of the Year". The Secrets, Chastisement, and Triumph of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary, written by theologian and college professor, Dr. Kelly Bowring, has recently been released through Two Hearts Press, LLC .

Though it is rare for such a book on modern-day prophecy to receive official Church recognition, Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal of the Philippines has granted Dr. Bowring's new book on biblical and modern prophecy the Church's official imprimatur. Cardinal Vidal, who is considered an expert on Marian prophecy and teaching, was uniquely qualified to have reviewed and approved this book, and he determined that it is free from error concerning faith and morals. The Cardinal's secretary, Rev. Fr. Vincent Balili, even expressed his hope for the success of the new book, stating, "May this book reach as many people as possible."

Bowring's book, on a subject that is usually not without its controversy, has been receiving a good deal of positive acclaim and 5-star reviews. His new book is already in its second printing within the first six months of its publication. Jerry Morin, director of the evangelistic organization, Servants to the World, has called it the BOOK OF THE YEAR! Morin further offered his advice to potential readers of the book, saying, "I recommend you get this book and read it. I would even go so far as to say I implore you to read it." Fr. Neil Buchlein, Pastor of Ascension Church in Hurricane, West Virginia, who is host of the Internet blog, Blessed Mother's Children, promised his blog's readers that Bowring's book is "a book that you will read more than once." He continued in assurance, saying, "You have my word!" Describing his own experience of the book, Fr. Neil continued, stating, "I COULD NOT put it down. It kept my interest from beginning to end."

And then he added: "Do yourself a favor and get this book. I promise you will not be disappointed." Another Internet blog host, Deacon John Giglio, offered his praise of Bowring's book with a eye-catching headline on his blog that read: "Highly Recommended Book! A Must Read!" Readers have also been calling it the best book ever written on the subject of Marian prophecy in our times. Anthony P. Rocha of Bay City, Michigan, said he could not put the book down. After describing himself as an avid reader in this subject area, and after reading it in a single day, he described in his own words his review of the book on one book seller's website: "The BEST book that I have read in the last 5 years, possibly, in the last 10!" Another reader, David T. Little, who is president of the World St. Thomas More Society, as well said that the book is "a real page-turner that will inspire you," and then added, "I cannot praise it enough".

Covering prophecies of the latter times, a topic of increasing interest to Christians in recent years, Professor Bowring's new book seems likely to become even more popular and far-reaching in influence and awareness. Deacon John Giglio, wrote on his blog, thinking aloud, "This book will probably sell like 'hot cakes'". Bowring's book discusses the major heavenly apparitions as reported around the world especially during the past century, including places like Fatima, Lourdes, Garabandal, and Medjugorje. These places have received millions of pilgrims since becoming religious shrines. He shows how they all point to one central warning concerning the times we are quickly approaching.

He writes how the Blessed Mother of Jesus at Garabandal has specifically prophesied about a global divine act of God's mercy, called "the Warning", which will soon be granted to every person in the world at the same time, and which will come in the form of an "illumination of conscience" or a "mini-judgment". He also discusses how Our Lady at Medjugorje speaks of "ten secrets" that will soon take place as punishment to the world if it does not convert and turn away from what John Paul II used to call the "culture of death". He wonders in his book if we are not living in times a thousand times worse than the Flood of Noah.

While relating these heavenly messages of Jesus and His heavenly Mother to the Book of Revelation in the Bible, Bowring's new book shows with clear evidence from solid sources that we really are living in apocalyptic times, which are being prepared for by unprecedented and most important apparitions, visions, and messages from Heaven, all in unison, calling humanity to prepare for the final battle between good and evil. His book answers the often asked questions about our times: Why is the world in so much turmoil today? What is going to happen in the near future? Are we living in the time of the Apocalypse? What is Heaven saying to us about our times?

To receive additional information on this popular new book or to purchase a copy, visit www.TwoHeartsPress.com .

About the Author:
Dr. Kelly Bowring has been a professor of sacred theology at Southern Catholic College and at St. Mary's College of Ave Maria University. He lives with his wife and seven children just outside Atlanta, Georgia.

Contact the Author:
Two Hearts Press, LLC (website)
kbowring@TwoHeartsPress.com (email)

About the Publisher:
Two Hearts Press, LLC, is a Catholic publisher of books and media resources. Their website is www.TwoHeartsPress.com .

Contact:

Two Hearts Press, LLC http://www.TwoHeartsPress.com/  GA, 30041 US Kelly Bowring - Author, 770-888-2248

TUESDAY, JULY 11, 1961:

THE PHYSICIANS AT WORK . . .
PERFORMING TESTS

Garabandal was an exceptional field of study for theologians as well as for physicians, psychologists and psychiatrists who, as early as June 25, went up to the village as independent observers.
In the first two weeks of July, Msgr. Doroteo Fernandez set up a "Special Commission" made up of three priests and two physicians. These were in charge of investigating the "events" and the girls of San Sebastian de Garabandal. The members of this "Commission" came only three times to the village during the four years that the events occurred.
Commissioned by the bishop, Doctors Jose Luis Pinal Ruiz and Luis Morales, psychiatrist, began their first experiments on July 11.
All kinds of tests were performed on the children in ecstasy. Pinching, burns, pricks, intense light: so many sensory stimulants producing no effect.

"This is no way supernatural. It is a psychogenic reaction to the situation . . . Vulgar hysterical phenomena . . ." Such was Dr. Morales' opinion on the one ecstasy that he had attended. His report, quickly drafted, influenced the negative verdict by the "Commission" concerning the supernatural origin of the phenomena of Garabandal. He, who had really been the "directing head" of the
"Special Commission," completely reversed his position in 1977. In May 1983, during some lectures he gave at Santander, then at Madrid, he publicly defended the authenticity of the apparitions.
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, pages 59; 61]

It's amazing how "stiff-necked", as the Bible calls certain people, witnesses to the supernatural can be. Even at the "Miracle of the Sun" at Fatima, where hundreds of thousands of people experienced the signs and wonders, there were a few who refused to acknowledge it as a supernatural event. Perhaps because they were atheists or agnostics, maybe Freemasons, the "Commission" couldn't see the intervention of the supernatural. Of course this all could have been a vision of the devil, but I don't think they believed in Satan or hell either. Like certain leaders in Israel, who accused Our Lord of working miracles by the power of Satan, these "Commission" members were blind too!
Again, at Fatima, certain theologians said that Lucia made up all that she reported Our Lady said, especially regarding devotion to her Immaculate Heart. They blamed it on Lucia's traditional upbringing, saying her mother put all these thoughts in her head or she made it up after the fact. Incredible! You could expect this from the secular media, but from the clergy you expect some faith and common sense. Dr. Morales recanted later on and became a good spokesman for Garabandal, but the damage was done early and many shrugged off the visions as unbelievable.
Deacon John

Interview with Bishop del Val Gallo

"No. The previous bishops did not admit that the apparitions were supernatural but to condemn them, no, that word had never been used." 
Bishop del Val Gallo 

"For sure I consider The (Garabandal) Messages important! Because they are important! ...It is important for us Christians to LIVE what The Messages of The Blessed Mother are saying.." 
--Bishop del Val Gallo in The Vigil Special Issue 1992

Read Bishop del Val Gallo entire interview below.From left to right - Sari (Mari-Loli's sister), Garabandal visionary Mari-Loli, Garabandal Bishop del Val Gallo holding a copy of the Garabandal news paper "The Vigil", Maria Saraco editor and publisher of "The Vigil".


Q. Where were you born and raised?A. Something happened in the family and due to those circumstances, I was born in Burgos, but when I was fifteen days old, I was taken to Santander, and I always lived there after that.
Q. What made you decide to be a priest?A. When I was four years old, the pastor of my church asked me if I wanted to become a priest I said "yes" in a way that such a small child would answer. But then, when I was nine years old, an aunt, who was my father's sister and was a nun in the order of The Daughters of Charity died in the order of sanctity because there had been a big epidemic of a very contagious disease among the children and (in spite of it) she was taking care of the sick. She was told to be very careful because she could become contaminated and die, but she said, "My whole life has been consecrated to God by serving the poor and I'm not going to stop now when they need me the most and that is what I will continue to do." She eventually got sick from the epidemic that was going around and died. This was being discussed and talked about in my home when I was nine years old and it made such an impression on me. This heroic action that the sister of my father did as a Daughter of Charity made me think, "Could I myself do this if I were a priest?" That's when I made my decision that I wanted to be a priest. I was nine years old. Then when I was twelve years old, I entered the Pontifical University of Comillas until I became a priest in 1944.
Q. How old were you when you were ordained...by whom and where?A. I was ordained by Archbishop Parrado of Granada when I was 28 years old. He died many years ago. I was ordained in the church of the Political University of Comillas.
Q. When did you first go to Garabandal and why?A. I went eight days after the first apparition. I went there because Bishop Doroteo Femandez called me, he was actually the Apostolic Administrator. Since I was a priest that he trusted, he wanted me to go there as an observer and to report back to him my impressions of everything that I had seen. So I went there about eight days after the first apparition because the Bishop told me to go.
Q. Who was the bishop of the diocese at that time? A. Bishop Doroteo Fernandez.
Q. How many times did you visit the village during the years of the reported apparitions?A.I went only another two times after that by order of the same bishop.
Q. Did you witness any of the four girls in ecstasy? If so, please describe what you saw and heard. What were your impressions?A. Yes. Yes, I saw them. Yes, I saw them in ecstasy. That is what they were calling a psychological trance. I believe it was a trance but not as deep as one's first impression because they were going in and out of ecstasy. I said that I believed that it was a trance and this is what astonished the people and made them believe it was supernatural. My impressions were that of a spectator. We'll see. We'll see what happens because with this type of thing we cannot be rushed.
Q. When were you assigned to the Santander diocese? Was this your first diocese as bishop?A. I was given the diocese on December 4, 1971. and came here on January 16, 1972. This was the first and the last diocese that I have had as a resident bishop. I was here for twenty years. Before that I was in Jerez de la Frontera in the area of Cadiz which belonged to the diocese of Sevilla, I was put in charge of that region of Cadiz by the Cardinal of Sevilla carrying on there like any other bishop which today is its own diocese.
Q. Since the beginning of the reported apparitions, how may bishops preceded you?A. Many. There were many if we consider that some were bishops and some were Apostolic Administrators because during those years, there was a lot of movement in the diocese of Santander. There was Doroteo Fernandez, Eugenio Beitia, Vicente Puchol, Enrique de Cabo, acting bishop but was titular vicarate, and then came Jose Maria Cirarda then when he was taking care of the diocese of Bilbao as auxiliary bishop and Apostolic Administrator, another bishop came called Rafael Torrija de la Fuente, and then I came in 1972.
Q. Isn't it true that out of all those bishops, you are the only one who actually witnessed the girls in ecstasy? A. I think so. I think I am the only one. I heard say that Conchita had made some ecstasies in front of Bishop Puchol but I am not sure. Yes, I think that I was the only one who saw the ecstasies.
Q. Did you ever imagine that God would place you in such a unique situation?A. I have always tried to be in the hands of God. I always try regardless of whether it is a difficult situation or a joyful one, and this one (that is Garabandal) is both hard and joyful at the same time.
Q. When did you remove all the restrictions that the previous bishops imposed on the priests and why?A. I don't remember clearly the exact date. It was done step by step. I told the pastor to start (removing the restrictions) and then it was just announced publicly. But I don't remember the exact date. I think it was about six years before I retired which was last year in September.
Q. Have the Garabandal apparitions ever been condemned by the church?A. No. The previous bishops did not admit that the apparitions were supernatural but to condemn them, no, that word had never been used.
Q. When did you reopen the study of the apparitions and who did the study, how was it conducted and when was it concluded?A. It was finished in April of 1991 during a reunion we held in Madrid but it was not opened on a specific date. It was opened six years earlier, taking notes of the circumstances here and there. In the beginning, we were going little by little so it took about six or seven years before the study was concluded. Until then I had gone by what the other bishops had done. They had said no. But then it seemed to me that I should personally do something myself. I needed to do a personal investigation because the responsibility demands this of oneself so I had to do something about it and because I thought it was something serious that had happened in Garabandal. It seemed to me that because it was so serious, I had to find out for myself exactly what happened in Garabandal.
Q. What has become of the results?A. The results were brought to The Holy See, to The Sacred Congregation for The Doctrine of The Faith. That is where you have to take things like this so that is where the documents are. They were given to Cardinal Ratzinger.
Q. Were the Garabandal Messages found to be theologically correct and in accordance to the teachings of the Catholic Church?A. I think yes. Theologically correct, yes. But one of the details bothers me like the one: "Many bishops and cardinals are walking the path of perdition" it seems to me to be a bit severe. The Messages do not say anything that is against the doctrine of the church.
Q. When and why did you retire?A. I retired because of my age. The church requires all the bishops in the world, and we are more than 4,000, when we reach the age of 75, to write a letter to the pope telling him of the date when you are 75 years old so that the Holy Father can start looking for a replacement. So that's what I did. My 75th birthday was June 13th of last year (1991), so I retired on September 29th.
Q. Do you have any special plans for the future?A. Yes. My first plan is to pray more than before because now I have more time and so that is one of my first plans, to dedicate much more time to prayer. My second plan is to help the under-privileged and my third plan is, well I used to write before becoming a bishop and then after I became a bishop, I didn't do it anymore because there wasn't any time to do that. If you want to be a good bishop there is no time to write because you have too much work. So, that's what I plan to do now. At the time I was bishop, I didn't do it because if you write books, you aren't going to do your job well. I used to think that someday when I retire, I will become a writer again. So I am writing a book which will take at least another year and a half before it is finished. but for now, I am thinking that the title can be. "The Christian in The Year 2000." It will be a book about today's culture in Europe and how this culture influences our Christian life and how this culture as Christians has to respond to God and to the service of man.
Q. As "Mother of The Redeemer" and "Mother of The Church" what kind of an effect do you believe Our Blessed Mother will have on the life of humanity?A. In response to this question, the first thing that comes to my mind is Cardinal Wyszynsky from Poland. You know that he was a cardinal there during the times of the most difficult conditions. With imperial communism the church was so oppressed with so much persecution, there was no freedom. yet in his worst moment. Cardinal Wyszynsky entrusted his flock to the Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Czestochowa. In that extreme moment, the cardinal in his faith found his refuge in the Blessed Mother because She is the One who is going to save The Faith. In this question, I am able to identify with Cardinal Wyszynsky since I think like he did, that is The Blessed Mother is the One who will save The Faith.
At the close of this question and answer session, His excellency added these additional interesting comments:
I am grateful for your visit, it has been very meaningful. A final question was asked of Bishop del Val: "Do you believe that The Messages are the most important part of Garabandal?" and his reply was: "For sure I consider the messages important! Because they are important! In the area where it is similar to Lourdes and Fatima, it is important for us Christians to live what the Messages of The Blessed Mother are saying, if we consider that She could have said this...but, I'm not saying that She did since this would be admitting that the apparitions are true and I cannot do that because the church has not said so yet. The church is the one that has the last word.


From http://www.garabandal.org/index.shtml

As we await the Warning, Miracle & Great Sign, here is a message from Mark Mallett on Hope:

Hope is Dawning

First published January 23rd, 2008.  This word brings into focus once again what all our waiting, watching, fasting, praying, and suffering is all about at this time in history. It reminds us that darkness will not triumph. Moreover, it reminds us that we are not defeated souls, but sons and daughters of God called into a mission, sealed with the power of the Holy Spirit, and inscribed with the name and authority of Jesus. Do not be afraid! Nor think that because you are insignificant in the eyes of the world, hidden from the masses, that God does not have a significant plan for you. Renew your commitment to Jesus today, trusting in His love and mercy. Begin again. Gird your loins. Tighten the ropes upon your sandals. Lift high the shield of faith, and grasp the hand of your Mother in the holy Rosary.

This is not the time for comfort, but the time for miracles! For Hope is dawning…

THIS word came to me while my spiritual director and I were together. Understand… the dawn of Hope is upon us…

Little ones, do not think that because you, the remnant, are small in number means that you are special. Rather, you are chosen. You are chosen to bring the Good News to the world at the appointed hour. This is the Triumph for which my Heart awaits with great anticipation. All is set now. All is in motion. The hand of my Son is ready to move in the most sovereign way. Pay careful attention to my voice. I am preparing you, my little ones, for this Great Hour of Mercy. Jesus is coming, coming as Light, to awaken souls steeped in darkness. For the darkness is great, but the Light is far greater. When Jesus comes, much will come to light, and the darkness will be scattered. It is then that you will be sent, like the Apostles of old, to gather souls into my Motherly garments. Wait. All is ready. Watch and pray. Never lose hope, for God loves everyone.

PUBLISHED IN: DAILY JOURNAL, TIME OF GRACE | ON FEBRUARY 12TH, 2010 | NO COMMENTS »

EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS BECOME DAILY OCCURANCES

The wonderful became almost routine. Every day the girls had an apparition. At the center of extraordinary phenomena, the objects of all kinds of curiosity, of every pressure and solicitation, they nevertheless preserved their candor and simplicity. They fell into ecstasies and came out of them with an astonishing ease, and spoke of these wonders with the most perfect simplicity.

In her Diary, Conchita comments on her daily life in these words: "The belief of the villagers, of our parents and brothers increased every day . . . As for ourselves, we kept on our everyday life and we obeyed our parents."
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 58.]


It's funny how we can get used to anything! The girls were seeing the Blessed Mother everyday, and sometimes twice or more a day, thousands of apparitions before they finally ended in 1965. It became almost normal for them, like us when we start a new job or occupation, at first we have our anxieties, but they soon leave us and we become relaxed and familiar with what we are doing; until something happens to upset the apple cart. I'm sure the villagers and the seers' parents were not so relaxed, especially when Our Lady called them in the wee hours of the night.

The children of Fatima were also relaxed with Our Lady, although She only appeared to them 6 or 7 times . . . Francisco, who could not hear what Our Lady said during the apparitions, was just satisfied and loved to look on the loveliness of the Blessed Mother as She appeared to them. After the vision, Lucia would tell him what Our Lady said. And the three seers were also very obedient to their parents . . .
Deacon John

Our Holy Father exclaimed "Garabandal!"

This is another interesting post from Maria Saraco's Web Site (link below) on Pope John Paul II and his awareness of the Events of Garabandal: 

 
The Pope extended his arms wide as to embrace Loli and her entire family.



On June 21, 1987, Robert Francis Graves III, was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest at St. Peter's Basilica, by Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II. Fr. Robert's parents were already deceased at the time of his ordination. However, none of his relatives and friends were present, nor did any of them acknowledge his new-found vocation because of his renunciation of fame and wealth in order to follow the call of Christ into the Catholic priesthood.
What Father Robert says is, "In the end Christ conquered. One cannot say 'No' to Love that calls at all times and in all seasons." He is a member of the community of "The Sons of The Divine Will."

---

 
On July 23, 1988, during a special general audience with the Pope at the Vatican ... "special" because it was held on Saturday, rather than the usual Wednesday... Father Robert introduced Garabandal Visionary Mari-Loli and family to him. Father Robert who was holding 7 year old Maria Dolores, one of the three Lafleur children, said to the Pope: "Your Holiness, a special blessing for your littlest children who come on behalf of The Blessed Virgin from Garabandal." Our Holy Father exclaimed "Garabandal!". . . And immediately kissed Maria Dolores. 

 
The Pope then blessed Francis her 13 year old brother when he took him by the arm and asked for prayers.

Next the Pope with arms out stretched reached for and kissed their 8 year old sister, Melanie Maria Theresa who was enthralled with the pope and felt right at home with him.

Loli, who before meeting the Pope, viewed the prearranged occasion rather apprehensively. She was concerned about the impact it could possibly have because of her role as one of the world-famous Garabandal visionaries. However, after a visit with Bishop Gallo, the present bishop of the diocese of Santander, Spain, where the apparitions took place and receiving his encouragement, and with prayerful reflection, she resigned herself to the opportunity and accepted it as "God's Will." She simply asked the pope for his blessing and prayers for her family and for herself. The Holy Father placed his hands on her head, and gave his blessing.

 
Husband Frank, kissed the Holy Father's ring in acknowledgement to his supreme authority in representing Jesus Christ here on earth.

Finally, the Pope extended his arms wide as to embrace Loli and the entire family. Maria Saraco who was also present witnessed the entire episode.

From http://www.garabandal.org/index.shtml