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