The Apparitions of the Virgin Mary at Garabandal. The Prophecies.

MADRE MARIA NAYA (DIED 1966)

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Blessed Maria Rafols had visions of the Sacred Heart.

Maria Naya is the famous "daughter" of Blessed Maria Rafols (1781-1853), who founded the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Ann at Zaragoza in the mid-nineteenth century.

Among other religious functions, Madre Naya held the so-called delicate one of Mistress of novices. She became famous in Spain for having discovered the writings of the Blessed Foundress, but still more for having been the religious about whom the latter had prophesied who she was and when she would discover her own "Escritos" ("Writings")!

Gifted as well with a charism of prophecy that she exercised with regard to certain Church events, Sister Maria Naya also "used" her gift within the framework of the "events" then occurring at Garabandal.

Thus, for example, and without having been previously informed, she announced the "Milagrucu" to the religious sisters of her Congregation in Madrid, and she did so on the following morning without having received any information whatsoever about it!

Similarly, she made an astonishing prophecy about Fr. Luis Maria Andreu (see July 18, 1964), as well as about the last locution to Mari- Loli (see October 24, 1965).

Madre Maria Naya's keen interest in Garabandal is duly attested to by many other original documents in our possession.
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 224-225]

Basilica Del Pilar, Zaragoza, Spain. Image via Wikipedia

God works in mysterious ways beyond our understanding! And he has His saints working and doing His will all over the world. Sometimes we get ourselves boxed in and only look at things that are happening around us, we forget there is a big wide world out there! Most of these saintly people lived in Spain and like me, you probably never heard of them. Well, guess what, they never heard of you either! So, be happy knowing that God is in control and He wins the battle!!! Satan has already been defeated . . . we just have to wait for time to be completed. And I guess one day in Heaven or in the Kingdom of God, we will meet all these people close up and enjoy their life stories . . .
I can't wait to tell mine!!!
Deacon John

PADRE MANUEL GARCIA NIETO, S. J. (APRIL 5, 1884 TO APRIL 13, 1974)

1970. Conchita and Aniceta with Fathers Neito (far right) and Rodrigo.

Succeeding Fr. Rodrigo, Padre Nieto, Servant of God (2000), also a Jesuit, was, in turn, Conchita's spiritual director from 1969 to 1974, a task he was to fulfill for more than forty years, in what an outstanding way, at the Pontifical University of Comillas. An exceptionally fervent "lover" of the Eucharist and of the Priesthood, he strongly defended the sublime grandeur of the first of the Sacraments, energetically protesting its desecration. Padre Nieto, also a great devotee to Mary, was already living in perfect harmony with two Messages of Garabandal.

Conchita, who, even from 1969 to 1972, met the Jesuit at Comillas almost monthly as her spiritual Father, caught even himself in ecstasy on several occasions! The visionary was to reveal to him the date of the future "D" day, because, we may presume, of his great moral authority and his recognized reliability in the "discernment of spirits"!

Shortly before his death, he wrote to Conchita "I offer my life so that you may attain holiness." A striking detail: in 1985, the "mortal remains" of the Father were transferred to the parish of San Jose, called "El Milagro," in Salamanca . . .

The "faith" of Padre Nieto in the divine origin of Garabandal is formally attested, among others, by John Bosco Ramos, one of the three Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God, who, on August 6, 1962, had witnessed a Communion given to Conchita by the Angel St. Michael, at the Pines (see the post at this date). And later (1969), during a private encounter for advice with Padre Nieto, the latter assured Brother Juan Bosco that "Yes, Garabandal is true!"

The process for the beatification of Padre Nieto, opened on October 16, 1990, under the direction of Msgr. del Val Gallo, has now (December 2000) been introduced in Rome.
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 223-224]

 

So you see, many famous and saintly people believed in Garabandal, which of course, strengthens my belief in these apparitions . . .

Conchita was blessed to have Fr. Nieto as a spiritual director! I believe divine Providence was responsible for that. When we need special help, God sends someone to us as our spiritual guide. It happened to me when I was going through formation for the diaconate. We were told to get a spiritual director and I was really having a hard time choosing one. My mind kept saying "No one will understand my Marian spirituality!" One day I went to Mass at the Franciscan Church of St. Francis in Manhattan and after Mass asked the Pastor, who was very Marian and I thought would be a good one to choose to be my spiritual director. He said he was too busy, but had the right priest for me, a convert, who I could help to know Mother Mary better. I said to myself, "Oh great, I'm looking for a spiritual director and I become one instead." Well, it turned out that this humble priest was the perfect one for me and believe me, I would have quit the program a few times, except for his wonderful spiritual advice that kept me going and growing! So, God sends the right person at the right time to help us!
Deacon John

PADRE LUCIO RODRIGO, S. J. (DIED MARCH 30, 1973)

Fathers Rodrigo (center) and Nieto with Conchita.

Padre Lucio Rodrigo was present at a few ecstasies of the visionaries. An excellent theologian, his prudent critical spirit led him to believe firmly in the supernatural authenticity of Garabandal. He learned the nature of the great Miracle from Conchita, but not the date. Shortly before he died, the zealous Jesuit obtained the grace he had asked to be definitively confirmed in his belief in the divine origin of the "events," of which he said: "If there exists in the world a window through which one can contemplate Heaven, it is Garabandal!"

He died from injuries resulting from a car accident, at almost ninety years of age.
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 223]

Does it seem strange to you that two leading figures in the Garabandal story died in car crashes? It does to me. I once read where Satan does cause some of these accidents. Kinda scary, no? Oh well, that's why we never know when our time is up. The Lord said, be ready at all times.

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Are you ready? I don't think anyone is really ready to die instantly, but I also read once where they asked St. Therese (the "Little Flower") if she knew she would die tomorrow what would she change and she answered, "Nothing, I would continue doing what I am doing today."
Can any of us say the same thing? God love you.
Deacon John

SAINT PADRE PIO DE PIETRELCINA (1888-1968)

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A Capuchin, Blessed Padre Pio, had one of the most extraordinary lives in Church history. A stigmatist for fifty years, he had an over abundance of charisms: visions, gift of healing, bilocation and prophecy, discernment of spirits, etc. . . . He was also one of the greatest confessors of our time, people coming from the world over to receive also his blessing and, more especially, guidance for decisive life orientations.

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It is highly significant that this out-of-the-ordinary son of St. Francis, so devoted to the Blessed Virgin, who worked so zealously in the Lord's vineyard, was indubitably involved in Garabandal. Considerable study has already been undertaken to establish the connection between Padre Pio and that very great Marian Apparition, thanks, among others, to the testimonies of Conchita, Joey Lomangino, Fathers Pel, Laffineur and Marcelino Andreu, who all met the Padre of Pietrelcina about Garabandal. As to the Capuchin Fathers of San Giovanni Rotondo, they have kept confidential, up to this day, numerous documents, in particular the many pictures taken, January 1966, when Conchita met with Blessed Padre Pio, and which were to be forwarded to her after the "beatification of Padre Pio." That "long- awaited ecclesial event" (Pope John Paul II) at last occurred (May 2, 1999), being hailed as one of the most celebrated events of its kind in Church history, more than 300,000 persons (pilgrims - Holy Year 2000) attended it at the Vatican's St. Peter's Basilica in Rome!
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 222.]

Pope John Paul II canonized Padre Pio of Pietrelcina a Saint on June 16, 2002 in one of the largest attended liturgies ever in the Vatican's history. The Pope remarked that Padre Pio's spirituality and suffering are a valuable model for modern times. The Pope reemphasized his message at the end of the canonization liturgy by announcing Padre Pio's feast day, September 23rd, is an "obligatory memorial" in the Church's general liturgical calendar.

The ranking of obligatory memorial accorded to Padre Pio means the celebration must be observed in Masses and the Liturgy of the Hours on the day it occurs unless an observance that takes precedence - a solemnity or feast - falls on the same day. St. Maximillian Kolbe, also in the Franciscan tradition, is the only other 20th century saint whose memorial is obligatory.

I wish I was there for that canonization cause I prayed everyday for that intention. I really look forward to meeting the Padre in Heaven, where he can give me his blessing personally . . .

As a matter of fact, I can't wait to see all my Saintly friends, my guardian angel, and my dear loved ones who have gone before me. How about you?

I just received a new book on St. Pio titled 'Padre Pio and America' by Frank M. Rega! We can never stop learning new things about God's Saints! I am blessed to get this gift!
Deacon John

FATHER DON JUAN GONZALEZ GOMEZ

Inside the church today.

A native of San Sebastian de Garabandal, Fr. Gomez was appointed in 1971 pastor of the village (a pastoral duty he is still in charge [year 2000] ) by Msgr. del val. . . . the church just refurbished in 1986 with the approval of Msgr. del Val, thanks also to the financial assistance of Joey Lomangino and of many other benefactors throughout the world.

Don Juan was one of the very first and most important witnesses of the phenomena. He was present at more than one thousand ecstasies including the "Milagrucu." [Little Miracle of the Host]. At first these left him skeptical, then he gradually changed his opinion and it was as a priest personally convinced of the authenticity of Garabandal that he acceded to the responsibilities of the pastor. He even managed to convince Msgr. del Val of the necessity to set up at last a more serious investigation file of these "events."
[From 'Garabandal' Book, page 219]

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People from all over the world go on Pilgrimage to Garabandal, so it must be a big job being pastor of that tiny church. And after the Bishop lifted the interdict and allowed priests to go there to, they must be a great help to him in ministering the Sacraments to the pilgrims. Divine Providence comes through again!

Next we will begin meeting some of the other contemporary saintly figures involved with Garabandal . . . stay tuned!
Deacon John

THE BISHOPS AFTER THE FACTS:

Msgr. del Val Gallo 

From the village church; the Pines are viewed.

MSGR. JOSE MARIA CIRARDA 1968-1971

Doctor Jose Maria Cirarda is a Basque. He was born on May 17, 1917. Like Dr. Eugenio Beitia Aldazabal, he studied philosophy and theology at the University of Comillas where he was ordained to the priesthood on July 5, 1942. After teaching theology for seventeen years at Vitoria, he was appointed auxiliary Bishop at Seville in April 1960, and then became Bishop of Santander on July 23, 1968. He took charge of the See on the following August 30. On October 9 of the same year, he published through his Secretariat, a Note in the Spanish press, stipulating, "he expects all the faithful to observe in greatest detail the dispositions taken by his predecessors . . . and still totally in force" . . . A few days later, as we saw, Conchita was leaving for Lourdes for the exceptional reasons we know!

Msgr. Cirarda became Bishop of Cordova on December 4, 1971. Later, already Archbishop, he was to become the Secretary of the Spanish Conference of Bishops.

MSGR. JUAN DEL VAL GALLO 1971 - 1991

Originally from Santander, Msgr. del Val Gallo had first filled several posts in the diocese. As a member of the "Special Commission" in charge of investigating the phenomena of Garabandal, he did not acknowledge at first their supernatural character. When he was appointed Bishop of Santander in December 1971, his initial negative stand had already softened a good deal. So much so that, in 1977, he requested that the "Garabandal dossier" be officially reopened. Rome
refused; it judged the initiative untimely since no "new events" had occurred. (Msgr. del Val was to be "the Bishop who would receive an irrefutable sign of the authenticity of Garabandal. This would incite him to lift the interdiction imposed upon the priests, forbidding them to go up to San Sebastian de Garabandal . . .")

MSGR JOSE VILAPLANA 1991 -

Msgr. Vilaplana, a profoundly Marian priest and a most competent pastor, let it be known about Garabandal that he would take the same stand as his predecessors and the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith had taken in the past. He himself took the investigation file set up by Msgr. Del Val to the Vatican. In order to complete somewhat his information and form a personal opinion, Msgr. Vilaplana took the initiative of going to the village "disguised as a layman" and be driven up to the Pines by Don Juan himself!

His pastoral prudence and his vigilant "wait-and-see policy" undoubtedly preserved, up to this day, Garabandal, from an irrelevant agitation and from all inopportune assimilation with other "so-called sites of apparitions."

Since the great events predicted by the visionaries, through Conchita mainly, are not supposed to occur before Year 2000, we can reasonably think that Msgr. Vilaplana might be the one Bishop who will discern, along with Roman authorities, the supernatural character of
Garabandal.
[From 'Garabandal' Book, pages 218-220]

POPE BENEDICT XVI NAMES
MSGR VINCENTE JIMENEZ ZAMORA
BISHOP OF SANTANDER

THE TIDE IS TURNING - A NEW BISHOP IS APPOINTED

Garabandal International Magazine reports this news and said that the previous Archbishop Administrator Carlos stated "the next Bishop will promote further studies to examine in depth the Garabandal events and will send the findings to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome."

We are coming to the end of our story . . . well, actually it won't end until the fulfillment of the prophecies and the Triumph of Our Lady. Then will be the beginning, the New Era . . .

In the meantime our book now tells us of the main characters in the drama. So we now know the three Bishops who reigned after the "events" stopped. After this we will meet the new pastor of Garabandal, and then the leading figures who influenced the spread of the Messages
throughout the world. Stay tuned and give a comment if you like.
Roman Deacon