OCTOBER 15, 1961 (Continuation of Fr. Andreu’s fractured foot healing, from yesterday). It was about 8 o'clock. Father told the doctor that all his pains were gone, and that he was able to move his foot without difficulty. The doctor was surprised; but as a precaution, he counseled him not to step on the foot, and to wait for the coming of the ambulance that they had been able to summon from Casa Valdecilla in Santander. The injury had been serious and normally would take from fifteen to twenty days to get better. The Casa de Salud Valdecilla was the biggest hospital in Santander. We have the following information about this from Father Andreu. The doctor found the Father sitting on the edge of the bed. — What are you doing Father? — As you see, I am trying to get up . . . — Don't do that! That's foolish. Let's see your ankle . . . The doctor got down on one knee to examine the ankle better. Then raising his head toward the Father, looking at him in a peculiar way, he said: — What a comedian you are! Come on, show me the bad ankle. The priest with apparent indifference showed him the other ankle, which was the good one. The doctor examined it very carefully . . . He compared it with the other . . . and ended up raising his head again toward the Father, while he said with an expression hard to describe, What strange things happen in this village! Continuing now with Mr. Förschler's description: «When the doctors left, Father began to put his shoes on, since he felt no pain . . . He went to stand on his foot, and did it without difficulty. Then he decided to celebrate Mass in the village, declining to advise Father Valentín to come to the village. During the entire ceremony he moved and knelt down, and got up without difficulty. Jacinta had told him in ecstasy at 3:30 in the morning had been this: Father, the Virgin told me that you were ill; but she told me to tell you that you are cured. At the same time the pains disappeared.”. “She went in haste to the mountain”, book 2, pages 22-23
OCTOBER 16, 1968: PADRE PIO, LOURDES AND CONCHITA: NEW EXCEPTIONAL "CONFIRMATIONS" OF THE AUTHENTICITY OF GARABANDAL When Blessed Padre Pio died, on September 23, 1968, Conchita was very perplexed. The Blessed Virgin's prophecy, predicting that he would see the Miracle, had apparently not been fulfilled . . . But, on October 16 of the same year, the visionary received a telegram from Lourdes. It was sent by a lady friend of hers, urging her to go to the world-famous Sanctuary, to receive a letter written by Blessed Padre Pio (written, by the way, just . . . one day before the Blessed Capuchin "confirmed," once more, the supernatural authenticity of Garabandal to a French author in spiritual matters, whom we know very well ( Jacques Serre). Convent of the Capuchins, August 22, 1968, For Conchita - Padre Pio has said: "I pray the most Blessed Virgin to comfort her and to guide her towards sanctity. I bless her with all my heart." Fr. Pellegrino This note dictated by Padre Pio the very day, at the time of the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, to Fr. Pellegrino, then Superior of the Monastery of San Giovanni Rotondo, was brought to Conchita by one of the famous Capuchin's messengers and friends, the Franciscan Fr. Bernardino Cennamo, who himself had been in San Sebastian de Garabandal on June 18, 1965, and had witnessed the spectacular ecstasy of that famous day, but still doubting about its divine origin . . . until the famous Capuchin of Pietrelcina asked him to offer Conchita the little veil that was to be used to cover his face soon after his death -- a most exceptional 'relic' that the visionary inherited at Lourdes. She also learned from Fr. Bernardino that Padre Pio had clearly "seen the Miracle" shortly before dying (on August 22, 1968): "He told me so himself," the Franciscan insisted. A few days later, Conchita wrote to Joey Lomangino and mentioned the altogether important recent "event." As to Fr. B. Cennamo himself, he will eventually corroborate firmly what has been said above, in a letter of July 4, 1969, to an English gentleman. From 'Garabandal' Book, J. Serre, pages 216-217
October 17th, 1961: Testimony by the Brigadier Leader of the Civil Guard in Garabandal, Mr. Juan Alvarez Seco . “I went up that day with 14 pairs of guards to maintain order, as it was the day before the 18th. Conchita came up to me in ecstasy and gave me the Cross to kiss, which for me was a sign of hope that everything was going to turn out well, despite the huge number of people that came to Garabandal and despite the heavy rain that hadn’t stopped all day. There wasn’t even the slightest problem. I calculated that there were about 12 thousand to 15 thousand people in Garabandal that day. The fact that there were 8 hundred to a thousand cars and no accidents, to me was a huge surprise." - Mr. Juan Alvarez Seco
TODAY IN GARABANDAL HISTORY : OCTOBER 18, 1961: THE BLESSED MOTHER'S 1st MESSAGE AT GARABANDAL October 18, 1961-- 62years ago today, Mary sent her first warning to us . A message of salvation, the principal revelation of Garabandal, was being given to the world. Sadly the world has not heeded her words. Hopefully the “Warning & Miracle” will change the hearts of this selfish world. “We must make many sacrifices, perform much penance, and visit the Blessed Sacrament frequently. But first, we must lead good lives. If we do not, a chastisement will befall us. The cup is already filling up, and if we do not change, a very great chastisement will come upon us. “ (Below: footage from that rainy day ) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQhEXW4KAJU
TODAY IN GARABANDAL HISTORY : October 19, 1982 Interview with Mary Loli. Q. Do you remember what the Blessed Mother said about the communist tribulation that is to precede the Warning? A. It would look like the communists would have taken over the whole world and it would be very hard to practice the religion, for priests to say Mass or for people to open the doors of the churches. Q. Is that what you meant when you said that it would seem as though the Church had disappeared? A. Yes. Q. It would be because of the persecution and not because the people would stop practicing their religion? A. Yes, but I guess a lot of people will stop. Whoever practices it will have to go into hiding. Q. Will this only be in Europe or do you think it will be here in the United States as well? A. I don't know because for me at that time, Europe was the whole world. I just assumed it was that way. The Blessed Mother didn't specify in what place. To me it looked like it was everywhere. GARABANDAL MAGAZINE (1982) REPRINTED From Garabandal Interational Magazine, October-December 2004
More questions from Mary Loli’s October 19,1982 interview. Q. Did the Blessed Mother ever say anything about the Holy Father having to leave Rome at the time of the Warning? A. No, but what it looked like to me — maybe at this time I was confusing in my mind what I was seeing and what the Blessed Mother was saying to me because it's been so many years — but what it looked like to me was that the Pope couldn't be in Rome either, you know what I mean, out in the open. He was being persecuted, too, and had to hide just like everybody else. Q. You said that when the Warning comes, the planes would stop in the air and that all engines would stop. Is this what the Blessed Mother told you? A. She said that everything, everywhere, for a moment would stop and the people would just think and look inside themselves. Q. Will there be any noise with the Warning like a wind blowing? A. The way I saw it at the time, it was more like a big silence, like a sense of emptiness. Everything was very silent. That's the way I saw it. Q. Seven years ago you said that the Warning was soon. Many people thought that it would have happened by now. What would you say today? A. It is soon. Everything looks soon to me because time goes by so fast. Q. You're the only one who knows the year of the Warning. Did you ever tell it to anyone else, like a priest for example? A. No. GARABANDAL MAGAZINE (1982) REPRINTED From Garabandal Interational Magazine October-December 2004
The Warning. Interview with Jacinta. April 16, 1983 When will the Warning happen ? 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.
OCTOBER 22: FEAST DAY OF SAINT JOHN PAUL II SAINT (Pope) John Paul II - on Garabandal There is a book on Garabandal, written by Albrecht Weber in 1993, entitled Garabandal Der Zeigefmger Gottes (Garabandal: The Finger of God), of which a first edition copy was presented to Pope John Paul II. He later asked his secretary, Fr. (now Archbishop) Stanislaus Dziwisz, to write to the author after which the Holy Father adds in his own handwriting at the end a personal greeting and his signature.. In the subsequent printing (2000 ,2nd Edition) of the book, on page 19, a portion of the Pope's message is reprinted, as follows:"May God reward you for everything. Especially for the deep love with which you are making the events connected with Garabandal more widely known. May the Message of the Mother of God find an entrance into hearts before it is too late. As an expression of joy and gratitude, the Holy Father gives you his apostolic blessing."Weber writes, "From the attached greeting in the Pope's own handwriting, with his signature, it is clear how deep an interest he has in the events of Garabandal, and how anxious he is that they should be made known in a credible way." During a special general audience with the Pope at the Vatican ... "special" because it was held on Saturday, rather than the usual Wednesday... Father Robert introduced Garabandal Visionary Mari-Loli and family to him. Father Robert who was holding 7 year old Maria Dolores, one of the three Lafleur children, said to the Pope: "Your Holiness, a special blessing for your littlest children who come on behalf of The Blessed Virgin from Garabandal." Our Holy Father exclaimed "Garabandal!" (picture below ) From “ A walk to Garabandal” Revised Edition , Ed Kelly, page 305 Glenn Hudson meeting Pope John Paul II on January 17, 1996 at the Vatican.
Conchita on behavior during Holy Mass. Interview with Conchita , February 7, 1974 Question : In light of what our Lady said concerning the Blessed Sacrament ( less and less importance is being given to the Eucharist), can you tell us what is it that offends Our Lord most, in your opinion? Conchita: “ Indifference. When we are in church we talk with one another and do not think who is in the tabernacle. If the Pope or the President were sitting in this room, would you waste time to talk to me or to someone else ? No, your attention would be on the great person present. In too many ways people forget that it is Jesus on the altar and in the tabernacle. We must believe in faith that it is He. Besides daily Mass and Communion ,and the Rosary, we must go often to pay a visit to Our Lord in the churches, where He is alone." Interview with Conchita , February 7, 1974 “NEEDLES” magazine ,Spring 1974 issue, page 17 Thank you to Tony Ambrosio for donating his Needles collection to us to learn from.
TODAY IN GARABANDAL HISTORY: OCTOBER 24, 1965: LAST LOCUTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN OF MOUNT CARMEL TO MARI-LOLI The final locution, and what a remarkable one, of the Blessed Virgin to Mari-Loli, then a boarder with Jacinta, at Borja, in the College of the Sisters of Charity of St. Ann where famous Madre Maria Naya herself had spent several years: "I had a locution from the Most Blessed Virgin. She told me that I would have much to suffer in this world, that I would be subjected to many trials, that this is what would make me suffer most." I asked Her to tell me if I was to become a sister. She did not answer me. She told me that She was very happy that I was here in the boarding school. I asked Her if She would come back to speak with me. She did not answer. I asked Her to give my father a proof of the apparitions so that he might believe. She told me that he would soon believe in them and that everyone would also believe. She told me that She was very happy with my sacrifices, but that I ought to be better and more mortified in everything each day, that, as I had done until now, I ought to recite the Rosary every day, a devotion most agreeable to Her, that She loves us all very much, that She wanted us to be very good so that we may soon be together with Her in the glory of Heaven." Mari-Loli Mazon From 'Garabandal' Book, by J. Serre, pages 199-200 * NOTE The Blessed Mother can not tell Loli she will see her a few days before the Miracle ( because Loli will have passed away already in 2009 )
Today in Garabandal history: October 25, 1966 “Conchita’s Recollections”, She remembers a conversation with Our Lady: Conchita: " What should I do so as not to have empty hands? I examine myself and I see that I don't do bad; but . . ." Mary: " It is not only not doing bad, but also practicing good". Conchita: "That is just what the Virgin said to me!" "She went in haste to the mountain", Book 2, Chapter 3, page 80 "Empty hands": Conchita said to the Virgin, "I am so happy when I see both of you. Why don't you take me now to heaven with you?" She replied, "Remember what I told you on your patronal feast day?" When you present yourself before God, your hands must be filled with good deeds done for your brothers and for His glory. At the present time, your hands are empty."
This day in Garabandal history: October 26,1966 Conchita describes how they were "called" by Mary, before she appeared. (Conversation with Sister María Nieves García, from her Boarding School ) Q. ” I heard” — said the Sister — “that the Virgin called you prior to our falling into ecstasy. What were those calls?” Conchita: "The first was a sudden feeling of mild joy. The second was a stronger joy. The third made us go outside, overwhelmed with joy. What it was like to live in those times when we were seeing the Virgin so often! Although we had to remain without sleeping, it didn't matter to us. We were so happy! " "She went in haste to the mountain" Book 2, chapter 3, page 80.
Conchita met Sr. Lucia of Fatima. Not much is recorded about this meeting but this one passage from Harry Daly, in his book. One of the three visionaries of Fátima, Sister Lucy, was still alive (and is at this writing) during our visit. Conchita told me that once when Sister Lucy was receiving visitors that she was one of those lined up to say hello to her. When Conchita met her, the nun looked up and said, "Don't I know you?" Conchita made light of this as she told me the story, but I couldn't help marveling at such familiarity in this first encounter. Except from “ Miracle at Garabandal” Chapter 6, by Harry Daly, 1983 Sr. Lucia of Fatima asked the former Bishop pf Fatima if she could go visit Conchita in New York twice! To me this is just one more affirmation of the validity of the apparitions, and Conchita herself.
TODAY IN GARABANDAL HISTORY : OCTOBER 28, 1964 Padre Pio's Superior in San Giovanni Rotondo addressed a letter (in Spanish) to Conchita, on behalf of the famous Capuchin: Peace and Greetings, Padre Pio is praying with (his) heart for your intentions and exhorts you to pray, placing your trust in the Divine Mercy in order to acquire the patience (to bear) all the trials and adversities of life, and also the spiritual blessings and graces for the sanctification of your soul. Padre Pio assures you that he remembers you constantly in his prayers and sends you his paternal blessing. Fr. Superior. ---------- ---------------------------------------------------------------It is therefore above all a vibrant call to holiness that Conchita received. This little message, the third one at least, from Saint Padre Pio, was thus a new personal confirmation of the supernatural authenticity of Garabandal, a confirmation stemming doubtless from the supernatural lights that the famous stigmatist had already received on this subject since . . . the very beginning of the events! Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, J. Serre, page 184
TODAY IN GARABANDAL HISTORY October 29,1966 Conchita spoke at length about the times when the Virgin was appearing to them . . . (with Mother Maria Nieves Garcia ) One day when I had finished speaking to her, the Virgin told me to turn toward a couple who were behind me and tell them, You aren't living right. I did this, although it embarrassed me. I know that they were moved, since they began to cry and went to confession on that same day. She told me many things like that . . . What do you think the Angel (St. Michael) was like? An adult? No, he was about 9 years old, with a blue tunic and rose-colored wings. We didn't see his hands, except when he gave us Communion. Many times the Virgin didn't look directly at us, but farther away at the people who were behind us. Sometimes she changed her expression; but she didn't stop smiling. I asked her, Whom are you looking at? She said to me, I AM LOOKING AT MY CHILDREN. We talked to her about everything, even about our cows . . . She laughed very much. We also played together. How happy we were then! We didn't suffer a thing, although some of the people bothered us. She seemed to be about seventeen. Because of this, I was pleased when a retreat master said that we would see the Virgin about this age. . —How nice it was to be with the Virgin! She was really like a friend; just as if she were living with us. And she called us by our nicknames like the people did. She didn't say, Maria Conception, but Conchita; not Maria Dolores, but Loli. Now we get weary in our periods of prayer; but then we didn't feel weary, or sleepy, or anything. We saw her so many times! “SHE WENT IN HASTE TO THE MOUNTAIN” Book 2 CH.3 pgs.80-82
TODAY IN GARABANDAL HISTORY October 30,1966 : (Conchita speaking) " I learned many things in my village since the people confided their problems to me. Some of them were tremendous. The ones that made the biggest impression on me were those of priests; these troubled me! A confessor told me to ask the Lord for the desire of suffering, and also to accept pain with joy. I couldn't speak to the Lord like that, since it doesn't come from me. I'm afraid of suffering! “We saw her so many times!” “FAITHFULNESS IN EVERYDAY LIFE” — I understand; but we ought to trust in Him, and know that we ought to serve for something in His Hands. God wishes to take us as little instruments, perhaps as "tapers for lighting the large candles." —That's true. We are instruments; people shouldn't notice us. In the village they shoved us, they pulled on our clothes . . . They sought after us. And although so many went up to the Pines, not all of them approached the tabernacle.” “SHE WENT IN HASTE TO THE MOUNTAIN” Book 2 CH.3 page 82
Conchita’s husband Patrick died on October 31, 2013 I am making a rare request today and asking for your prayers for Patrick ,Conchita, and her family. I received a letter from Conchita on December 17th, after the passing of her husband. I wanted to post the last sentence of her letter, it's TRULY PROFOUND. She wrote: " Death for sure is not the end, it is the beginning , and the vanities of the world are a loss of energy because it distracts us from the reality of life, and true happiness. "
NOVEMBER1, 1962 “ALL SAINTS DAY” NOVEMBER 1 (LITURGICAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE DECEASED) During the first week, that is, on the first day of that month devoted to the deceased, Mari-Loli and Conchita, in ecstasy, entered the cemetery. On their knees before the graves of Conchita's father and Maximina's relatives, the visionaries first placed their little crucifixes on them, then presented them to the Vision, and finally to Maximina accompanying them. [From 'Garabandal' Book, by J. Serre, page 154]
TODAY IN GARABANDAL HISTORY NOVEMBER 2, 1961: GARABANDAL AND THE "COMMUNION WITH THE DECEASED" Sustained by prayer, the Communion of the Saints links the world of the living with that of the deceased in the one Church of God. This profound dimension of Christian faith was lived intensely at San Sebatian de Garabandal where the villagers prayed for the deceased every day. The ecstasies of November 2, 1961 and 1962 illustrate this bond with the "blessed souls of Purgatory" in a remarkable way. Led by the Blessed Virgin to the gates of the cemetery where, in ecstasy, they went regularly, the visionaries pushed their arms through the bars and held out their crucifix as if they were presenting it to be kissed by dozens of invisible people. [Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, by J. Serre, page 116]
Today in Garabandal History: November 3,1961 Conchita recalls how she learned the "Hail Mary" in Greek, from Fr.Luis Andreau, AFTER he passed away ! Conchita " After his death Fr. Luis Andreu taught me to pray the Hail Mary in Greek. We heard his voice during an ecstasy; but we didn't see him. Also he told me a message for his brother, and a French song, which I don't remember anymore, although Fr. Ramon knows it by heart. He told us how they had buried him . . . His voice was the same as when he was alive. " From " She went in haste to the Mountain "
