SEPTEMBER 17, 1961. Unworthy ? During their ecstasies, the visionaries always carried a crucifix that they would offer to those present. They would stretched out their hand to whomever Our Lady indicated in order for that person to then kiss the crucifix. This is an anecdote from the night of October 17, 1961. Conchita fell into ecstasy in her little kitchen. She offered the crucifix to be kissed by those who were present. Still in ecstasy, with her head thrown back and her gaze fixed on something high above her, she skillfully passed her hand through the window bars, so that those who were outside could also kiss the crucifix. When it seemed as though everyone had had the opportunity to kiss the crucifix, the crowd observed with astonishment that the girl still remained with her arm extended, as if she were waiting for someone else to draw near. Then, those inside the house heard her exclaim, “Ah! They don’t want to kiss Him? Why?” In spite of the crowd, both inside and outside the house, suddenly an absolute silence fell. A few moments later, a man who had stepped out of the kitchen discovered a couple hiding from the only light that came from the window. He approached them, and they confessed their fear: they considered themselves unworthy. The man answered, with great simplicity, that even though they considered themselves great sinners, God was waiting for them. This was clear, given that the girl, in her rapture, was standing there with her arm stretched out toward the darkness, offering the crucifix… to them, the only ones who hadn’t kissed it yet! The couple finally gave in, and, after having kissed the crucifix, the girl withdrew her hand from the window. A few minutes later, the ecstasy ended. Anecdote taken from the book: "Garabandal: Message of hope", by Fr. José Luis Saavedra, 2ND EDITION, PAGES 94-95
TODAY IN GARABANDAL HISTORY SEPTEMBER 18, 1962: September 18, 1962, Tuesday. In the morning Loli and Conchita received Communion from the Angel at the door of the Church. In the afternoon the other two girls had an apparition at 5:30. It lasted an hour and a half. They met in the street and ran throughout the village, praying the rosary. They went up to the Pines and descended backwards. It ended at the door of the Church, and they lifted each other to kiss and be kissed by the Virgin. Fr. Valentin Marichalar Torres , Notebook #2 , September 18, 1962 * An important fact here is that while in ecstasy, the girls could not be picked by grown men, but could easily pick each other up, to kiss our Lady. Just more proof of the apparitions of Mary at Garabandal.
TODAY IN GARABANDAL HISTORY SEPTEMBER 19, 1962: "COMMUNISM" IS MENTIONED AGAIN . . . ON THIS ANNIVERSARY DAY OF THE "APPARITIONS OF LA SALETTE" Mari-Loli and Jacinta again mentioned the theme of communism. A theme suited to the occasion on this anniversary of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at La Salette, on September 19, 1846. We know that certain elements of Melanie's famous secret indeed concerned the great evil of communism that was then soon to begin to spread more and more throughout the world . As they came out of their ecstasy, the two visionaries did not want to disclose Our Lady's words: these were certainly related to the very difficult period of time of the Pre-Aviso ( pre-Warning) . It was only in 1978 that Mari-Loli and Jacinta confirmed the fact that Mary had really spoken to them of communism and had done so on more than one occasion. From 'Garabandal' Book, J. Serre, page 150 Photo: Jacinta & Loli 1961
September 20, 1962 Don't try to test our Blessed Mother ! Loli had an apparition at 3 in the morning. It lasted half an hour. She gave the cross for everyone to kiss and gave cards to the Virgen to kiss. A man put something on the table that had already been kissed as a test. The girl lifted it up with the other things to be kissed, and we heard her say: “Oh! It has already been kissed!” One of the rosaries that she gave the Virgin fell to the ground, and it was the rosary that the man had put on the table. Fr. Valentin Marichalar Torres , Notebook #2 , September 20, 1962 - ------------------------------------------------------------ Two couples approached Conchita and gave her four wedding rings, so that in her next ecstasy she would give them to be kissed by the Virgin. As Conchita offered the rings to Our Lady, she was heard to say: "You don't want to kiss them? But I don't understand. Ah! So I have to tell them to straighten out their lives and be good?" After the ecstasy, Conchita returned the rings to the man who had given them to her and told him and his companions what the Virgin had said. He was very embarrassed and said, "We came here to prove Garabandal was false if the girls gave us back the rings on our fingers, because none of us are married and we only bought the rings for this occasion." Reprinted with kind permission from GARABANDAL JOURNAL, MAY-JUNE 2003
MASS FOR PRAYER REQUESTS IN GARABANDAL Every last Thursday of the month, the Pastor of Garabandal Church (Fr. Rolando) offers a Mass for prayer requests. This month it will fall on the 24th. You have a few days to send your request by Wednesday, so it arrives on time.(Keep in mind your time zone difference). Requests sent using the form from this link (in English or Spanish ) are received in the email address of the Parish. (Use an online translator if need be). They are printed and delivered every Thursday the Pastor, to be deposited in a “ Petitions box” at the foot of the altar , through the intercession of Our Lady of Carmel, before the Blessed Sacrament exposed in the Chapel of San Sebastian de Garabandal. PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE THE PRAYER REQUESTS HERE ON THIS PAGE. THEY WILL BE DELETED. http://www.garabandalparroquia.com/en-union-de-oraciones
Today in Garabandal History: September 22, 1961. Mary Cruz chose to sleep over having an ecstasy. Conchita had an ecstasy in her house at 10 o’clock at night. It lasted 110 minutes, she gave the crucifix to be kissed to those in the house and those outside through the window. The people tolerated the rain during this whole time and cried. The other 3 girls didn’t have ecstasies. Mari Cruz says that she had two calls but since it was late, she went to bed. Fr. Valentin Marichalar Torres , Notebook #1 , September 22, 1961 People always ask me why did Mary Cruz lose the visions of Mary so soon after they started. This might be an indication. Who in their right mind would refuse not one, but TWO callings from our Blessed Mother, to see her, but rather go to bed because it was late? Mary Cruz 1961
Her parents were discouraging right from the start, and never supported her, even with all the daily miracles happening. " Oh ye of little faith".
TODAY IN GARABANDAL HISTORY SEPTEMBER 23,1968 : FEAST DAY OF SAINT PADRE PIO (The day he died). One of saddest days for Garabandal supporters as it’s greatest supporter and advocate passes away on this day. “While he was living, the same Padre Pio guaranteed the authenticity of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin. He met Conchita at San Giovanni Rotondo. Even during the last days of his life he talked about this to his brothers in religious life and left a personal message for the principle personage of the apparitions. “ “Fr. Pelletier -“Our Lady comes to Garabandal” page 219
TODAY IN GARABANDAL HISTORY SEPTEMBER 24,1961,and 1962 September 24, 1961. “Conchita and Mari Cruz went up to the Pines at 7 in the evening. Mari Cruz fell into ecstasy and said: “There is a priest here dressed in layman’s clothes. Then she arrives at the door of the Church and says: “Oh! The priest is next to me!” (The priest dressed in layman’s clothes was named Maximino Barrio from the village of Renedo de Valdavia, Palencia). Then she gave the rosaries to be kissed and returned them to the people. “ Fr. Valentin Marichalar Torres , Notebook #1 , September 24, 1961 September 24, 1962 “The girls live a life of true sacrifice. Conchita’s mother told me that she sleeps better in a chair than in her own bed now since she passes so much time sitting and waiting with us for the ecstasies. She sleeps supporting her head on the wall. The next day she goes to work, and so do the girls. They wash, clean, go to the river to do laundry, and continue with normal life. On Sundays they play in the road with the other girls from the village. We see them very little on the days when they work. They are very healthy and beautiful. They don’t show any signs of fatigue. They are very different from others in their character and their manner of acting. I asked them if they are friends, and they said that they were as good friends with each other as they were with the other girls in the village. What impresses me most is the way their faces change when they are in ecstasy.” Fr. Valentin Marichalar Torres , Notebook #2 , September 24, 1962
A few people have asked me if Fulton Sheen ever spoke about Garabandal, he did not. His Beatification is today (September 24, 2026): The Vatican recognized a confirmed miracle attributed to his intercession—specifically the miraculous recovery of an Illinois newborn who went 61 minutes without a heartbeat.
Children experience the Warning. Interview with Jacinta conducted by Barry Hanratty (Editor) for the “GARABANDAL” magazine, April 16,1983. Q. You have also said that when things were at their very worst then the Warning will happen. How do you know this? Did the Virgin tell you or did you see it in a vision? A. “The Virgin said that the Warning would come when conditions were at their worst. It wouldn't be just the persecution either because many people will no longer be practicing their religion.” Q. When the Warning comes it will be seen and felt by everyone on earth. Does this include little children who have not yet reached the age of reason? A.” Yes. That's why we felt sorry for them because it was such a terrifying experience.” --------------------------------------------------- I always remind people that God is all merciful, and certainly will take into account each person’s ability to understand the purpose of the Warning. It's best to prepare your family for what is coming. -Glenn
TODAY IN GARABANDAL HISTORY ,THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1962: TOWARD THE "SECOND ECUMENICAL VATICAN COUNCIL" For several days already, Conchita had been heard exchanging statements with her Vision about the Council. This Council was to open two weeks later. On the morning of this 26th of September, don Lavaca, a Basque priest who happened to be there, recorded the exceptional words of Conchita during her ecstasy, among them: "The Council is the greatest of all! . . . It will be a success! . . . How good this is! . . . Thus you (the Virgin Mary) will be better known, and you will be very happy . . ." Shortly after, and later on several occasions, Conchita was to affirm, very firmly, that Our Lady had assured her of "the extraordinary success of the Council." And, in fact, not only for its doctrinal content and as a very great historical and ecclesiastical event, but also for the countless and very important later authoritative applications of all its exceptionally enlightened and profound Teachings. [From 'Garabandal' Book, J. Serre, page 150] ---------------------------------------- V2,The good and the bad. I really would have liked to hear the missing language to help form a clearer idea of what Conchita was responding to, but there is no documentation of that missing conversation. One of the more interesting documents approved at this council was “ Nostra Aetate”. (“declaration of the relationship of the Church to non-Christian religions” 1965 ). Which stated that at the time of Jesus as well as those down through the centuries and those living in the world today are not responsible for the death of Christ. This reversed the previous papal bull by Pope Paul IV in 1555. Considering Mary is Jewish, I would think this would have pleased her. Another positive change, on December 7, 1965. Pope Paul VI, and the Orthodox Patriarch Anthenagoras, in a joint expression of regret for many of the past actions that lead up to the Great Schism, between Eastern and Western churches, officially lifted the excommunication that was imposed on the churches in the year 1054. Other positive changes were, The Role of the Blessed Mother in the Economy of Salvation . Mass could now said out loud, and in that churches native language. Epostolic collegiality and a larger role for women in the church. From the opening paragraphs of the Second Vatican Council, one discovers a renewed emphasis upon the Holy Eucharist ( LUMEN GENTIUM ) as the central focus in the Church's prayer life. Now I am not saying V2 was perfect or a huge success in everyone's eyes. Some unfavorable changes were made by trusted leaders of the church. We can deduce this from Mary’s message of June 18th 1965 (second Vatican Council finished in the same year) "Many cardinals, many bishops and many priests are on the road to perdition and are taking many souls with them. Less and less importance is being given to the Eucharist This wasn't the intention of the Holy Father's objectives for the Council but this is what unfortunately happened. The good and the bad.
“An interview with the Seers” : Mari Loli “The coming Warning and great Miracle” by Anthony Ambrosio “NEEDLES” magazine July-September 1977 ,page 10 Question: Could you describe what the Warning is to be like? Mari Loli: “ we will feel it within ourselves and it will be most clear that it comes from God. We will feel the pain we inflict on God with our sins”. Question: Have you ever discussed with Conchita the dates of the warning and the miracle? Loli: I have never talked to Conchita about these dates. The distance from the Warning to the Miracle will be less than one year. Question: Do you know the exact date of the Warning? Loli: “ No. The only thing I know is the year.” Question: What about the airplane stopping in mid-air? Did you see or were you told about this? Loli: “ the most holy virgin told me that all engines and Motors will come to a stop. “ Question have you any words of advice for the people in order that they may prepare for this event? Loli: “ To do much penance , make sacrifices, and visit the Blessed Sacrament everyday that we are able to and to pray the Holy Rosary daily.
Hi Glenn, It's been awhile (too long) since I last asked a question on this discussion thread. Therefore, I will now ask two questions - to make up for lost time. 1.) What would your best "estimate" be regarding the total number of apparitions of Our Lady which occurred in Garabandal from 1961-65? Based on various books and articles which I have read over the past four decades, I have encountered numbers ranging from "several hundred" to well over 2,000. ______ 2.) It's realized that from June 18, 1961 to July 1, 1961, during the preparatory period of time, it was exclusively Saint Michael the Archangel (and St. Gabriel) who appeared to the four young visionaries. And on both October 18, 1961 and June 18, 1965 - when the two public messages were delivered - Our Lady did not appear. It pained her to give the messages herself. On July 19, 1962, the date of the "little miracle" (un milagruco), Our Lady did not appear. Finally, Our Lady did not appear whenever Conchita, Mari Loli, Jacinta, and Mari Cruz received Holy Communion from Saint Michael the Archangel, at times when a priest was unavailable to celebrate Mass in the village. Have any commentators speculated regarding why Our Lady did not appear on days when Our Eucharistic Lord was received? It seems not only the words spoken by Our Lady, but also everything She did in Garabandal, were imbued with profound spiritual meaning. (Please correct any errors which are evident in my overview which is provided above.) Thanks in advance, Glenn. Blessings!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keeping in mind that our Blessed Mother Mary appeared not only to the four girls at once, she appeared to them in pairs, and alone. In one documented story it happened 50 times alone in one day ! That number was derived from the 4 years of visits from 1961-1965, from the girl’s personal accounts, diaries, local officials, detailed journals, witness testimonies from visiting priests and doctors, and pilgrim notes meticulously logged the dates and ecstatic states of the girls during these occurrences. The Garabandal Center in New York , where Joey , Conchita, and Barry Hanratty (the Editor of the official GARABANDAL magazine) all gathered regularly, used that number of “over 2000” visits, so I accepted that as the truest source , because I became the Director of Public Relations for the organization, and did public speaking, I needed to have the facts from a credible source. As to why she did not appear, there is only speculation ,not factual eveidence,so I can not say for sure. My guess would be Mary assigned St. Michael to act as her heavenly messenger for these formal proclamations to the world, mirroring how angelic messengers traditionally precede or deliver decrees in sacred history a such as at Fátima . As to why she didnt appear during communion, I believe she addressed that issue herself. Conchita has said: “The Blessed Virgin told us that it is a greater grace to receive Jesus in Holy Communion than to see her.” “The Eucharistic Message of Garabandal” by Father Joseph Pelletier AA “NEEDLES” magazine – Spring 1972
Thank you, Glenn, for your excellent responses . . . as always. Simply stated, I wanted to ensure that I didn't recently provide incorrect information to a priest who was inquiring. Hope you and your family are well. Blessings!
