OCTOBER 10, 1967:

THE "EVIL ONE" . . . ASSAULTING GARABANDAL!

Less than two weeks after the certainly "ill-inspired" episode of building the "chapel in honor of the Archangel St. Michael," there was a pseudo-bi location of Padre Pio right in Aniceta's home! Conchita quickly discerned the fraudulent character of this manifestation . . .

Throughout the period of the apparitions and the locutions at San Sebastian de Garabandal, there never occurred anything that was intrinsically linked to the "Evil One." That came later and only on a few occasions, when the authentic phenomena had ceased completely. These disturbing false interventions nevertheless 'helped' to project a certain discredit on Garabandal. Paradoxically, even providentially, they would in reality help to protect this great Marian Apparition from such "a noise from the Evil One" (Dr. Ricardo Puncernau, Letter of May 21, 1984 to fr. R. Francois Turner). This is also what Msgr. del Val Gallo was to understand throughout his episcopate (1971-1981). This undoubtedly also explains his constant efforts not to mix Garabandal with any particular one, whatever it may be, of the countless other "supposedly, indeed false contemporary apparitions and mystics" (except in the special cases of authentic "figures of holiness," either those already acknowledged as such by the Church, or on the way to be).
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 215]

Kinda creepy stuff. Imagine the devil appearing as Padre Pio! But this is nothing new. St. Paul warned about false apparitions in his Epistles and over the years at other approved apparitions like Lourdes and Fatima the "Evil One" appeared to scare the visionaries, but the Blessed Mother always protected the seers and chased "ole red legs" away! So remember, the next time you have a vision, throw some holy water on It to see if it's from God or you know who! I'd rather not have any visions, thank you! Pleasant dreams . . .
Deacon John

SEPTEMBER 29, 1967:

GARABANDAL AND A SPECIAL TEST OF OBEDIENCE TO THE CHURCH . . .

At the spot of the "rock of St. Michael," certain overzealous "promoters of Garabandal," were setting out to build a chapel "prematurely" in honor of the Archangel. They were acting on the faith of "false revelations" in the previous month of August, made to a fraudulent visionary, supposedly a mystic . . .

In the evening of the Feast of St. Michael, Conchita, preferring not to join this group in prayer, rather climbed up to the Pines with a few other persons. While the visionary and her friends knelt down in prayer, a star rose and remained above them during their whole prayer!
[Excerpt from 'Garabandal' Book, page 214]

Yes, we can be led astray by certain "mystics" who think they are receiving messages from God or Our Lady. But as St. Paul said "test everything." Conchita did the right thing and was rewarded with a sign from God (the star) for her faith. Many people receive signs like this. I have too! They are called "signal graces" to let us know God is hearing your prayer. It may not be answered as you want it to be, because God knows everything and some things are not good for us and our salvation, but at least you know He is listening.
Deacon John

MARCH 17, 1967:

MSGR. PUCHOL'S LAST "ACTIONS" WITH
REGARD TO GARABANDAL

"Monsignor Vincente Puchol Montis, successor to Msgr. Aldazabal, reports in his Note of March 17, 1967, that"

". . . 1) There was no apparition, neither of the Blessed Virgin,
nor of the Archangel, nor of any other person from Heaven.
2) There was no Message.
3) All the events that occurred (at San Sebastian de Garabandal) have a natural explanation . . ."

On March 19, the Spanish Television made this Note public.

MAY 8, 1967:

Msgr. V. Puchol dies in a mysterious car accident. As early as the previous April 25, his death had been prophetically announced in Madrid by a great Spanish mystic (Blessed Mother Maravillas of Jesus)

[She was beatified in May 10, 1998 by Pope John Paul II. Mother Maravillas "knew" that Garabandal was authentic. She even clearly shared her conviction with her spiritual daughters, assuring them that "the phenomena occurring at San Sebastian de Garabandal come from
God!"]
[From 'Garabandal' Book, pages 214 and 227]

Image via Wikipedia

Now the "works of God" are mysterious! Who knows if by the bishop's denial he was called to judgment? We sure will know the answer when we get to heaven! In the meantime, remember all the Saints who did believe in Garabandal, like St. Padre Pio, Blessed Mother Maravillas and even Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta! This also reminds me of another bishop in our days who is denying the apparitions that are still going on in a European country. I feel sorry for their unbelief!
Roman Deacon

JANUARY 7 AND 14, 1967:

CONCHITA AND MARI-LOLI ARE COMFORTED
IN THE MIDST OF THEIR "DOUBTS AND DENIALS"

In January 1967, Conchita, on the one hand, and Jacinta and Mari- Loli, on the other, wrote two letters of thanks to Msgr. Manuel Pio Lopez, archbishop of Talapa (Mexico), for the favorable testimony he had given on Garabandal. The prelate, in fact on July 8, 1966, had publicly made much of the reply Msgr. Philippe, then a member of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, had made to the Superior of the Carmel of Puebla about the authenticity of the phenomena: "The fact that (Blessed) Padre Pio, known for his virtue, his knowledge and his fidelity to the Holy See, approves these apparitions and encourages the four girls to spread the Message of the Most Blessed Virgin, is a strong proof of the truthfulness of those apparitions" . . .
[Excerpt from 'Garabandal' Book, page 213]

Joey Lomangino receives Holy Communion from St. Pio 

It always amazed me that so many people, including bishops and priests, from outside of Spain, could see the truth of the apparitions and those who lived nearby denied them. It was like when Our Lord preached in His own home town of Nazareth and the people who lived there and knew Jesus, Mary and Joseph rejected Him and He didn't work many miracles there because of their lack of faith in Him. At one point the towns people even tried to throw Jesus over a cliff! The Bible says that "He escaped right through their midst." It was not His time to die yet. And so, it will be in God's time that all will believe in Garabandal! Padre Pio believed, do you?
Deacon John