WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1965:

THE VIRGIN OF MOUNT CARMEL'S
LAST LOCUTION TO CONCHITA

We do not know for sure if Conchita was granted a last locution or not on that day. To us, that appears very probable, because of the very particular context of this December 8, 1965, date of the Closure of the Council of Vatican II, but also because the visionary, then boarder at the College of Burgos, will tell in 1966 to Sister Maria Nieves Garcia that "until now, every December 8, I had either an apparition or a locution from the Blessed Virgin."
[Excerpt from 'Garabandal' Book, page 203]

And so the supernatural events of Garabandal are winding down, and now begins the times of sufferings for the girls. But not all suffering, cause like us, there are times of joy too; like a marriage, a new baby, travel, birthday parties, baptisms, etc., etc. We all have our ups
and downs in life. But because of the unique state of life the girls lived, I believe their sufferings would be greater than most people, remember Our Lady promised them that they would go to heaven.

Well, read the lives of the Saints and see how much they suffered to get there!

Image via Wikipedia

One thing I remember constantly is that Our Lady said that those who wear the kissed objects would serve their purgatory here on earth, well I'm sure the girls know that and do wear a kissed object.
I do! I wear a Brown Scapular which has a kissed relic from Garabandal embedded in it and I never take my Scapular off!!!
Deacon John 
 

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1964:

Conchita signing autographs

CONCHITA'S NEW LOCUTION:
SHE IS TOLD THAT ST. MICHAEL
WILL COME AGAIN . . . "JUNE 18TH, 1965!"

Image by theroamincatholic via Flickr

During a locution that occurred on this December 8, 1964, the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel revealed to Conchita that she would have a new apparition of the Archangel St. Michael, on next June 18, (1965). (He would then deliver for the world the second and ultimate Message of Garabandal.) The visionary widely circulated this information.
[Excerpt from 'Garabandal' Book, page 185]

So now we await the second formal Message, which is very powerful and full of meaning. Meanwhile the girls (seers) lived their life normally in the village, working their daily chores and growing spiritually in prayer. It's a good lesson for us! No matter how many graces we have received, we still need to be part of this world and do our daily duty. Worker, housewife, student, whatever, doing the best we can at our vocation is God's Will and gives Him glory as we await our Day to enter God's Heavenly Kingdom.
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

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1961:

THE FIRST OF FIVE "DECEMBER 8" DAYS,
REMARKABLY HIGHLIGHTED AT
SAN SEBASTIAN DE GARABANDAL

There were two ecstasies, half expected, half unforeseen by Conchita, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. This was the proper onomastic feast of the visionary, wished to her by the smiling Mary during the first of these two apparitions.

During the second apparition, at 9:30 p.m., Conchita, in ecstasy, visited the sick of the village, offering her crucifix to be kissed. The Blessed Virgin often encouraged the visionaries to be interested in the sick and led them while in ecstasy to the homes of the ill. They spontaneously experienced a great compassion for those who suffered and spent some time with the handicapped and the elderly. Several healings were obtained through the intermediary objects kissed by Our Lady.

Conchita later visited hospitals in Burgos. She even obtained her nursing diploma with success. She practiced the nursing profession first in Bilbao, then in New York where she has lived since 1972.

During her second ecstasy of the 8th of December 1961, Conchita spoke of the "good Pope John (XXIII) who was then very concerned about the problems of the world." "We must be very humble and pray a great deal," added the girl. That was, so at least it seems, the first explicit mention of "Peter's Successor" by the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel at San Sebastian de Garabandal. The Pope, the Popes . . .: they were to be on the "agenda," and in more than one way, during the long course of the events!

From 1961 to 1965, on each December 8, Conchita was granted either an apparition or a locution from Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, pages 117-118]

I remember when Conchita lived near us in Queens, NY. She worked for a Spanish doctor in upper Manhattan caring for the poor Spanish-speaking residents. Later on, when she married and had children, she stopped nursing and I believe was a full-time housewife. Our same age children went to the same Catholic High School and we had a small prayer group formed and met in the school chapel. I did the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with benediction. Although we prayed together, we never talked about the apparitions with Conchita, respecting her privacy. After the kids were no longer going to that school, Conchita and her family moved out to Long Island. I pray for her each day.

Visiting the sick is a great ministry and very rewarding spiritually! The sick and elderly love having visitors, especially in Nursing Homes, where many have been abandoned by their families and have no one to sit and talk and pray for them. When I visited the sick and/or elderly, I always brought them religious gifts like rosaries and scapulars. They seemed to love receiving them, no matter what religion they professed! Many times they would cry out, "Take us home with you!" They missed being in their own homes but many could not take care of themselves anymore. Well, like Jesus, we can have compassion and love for them, and ask the Lord to bless and heal them.

Deacon John