The Message of Garabandal
San Sebastian de Garabandal is located in Spain, in Cantabria. It is in this small village in the Spanish Pyrenees that the Virgin Mary appeared to four young girls between 1961 and 1965. The apparitions of Garabandal are not officially recognized by the Catholic Church at this time. However, these alleged apparitions manifest, in many ways, the presence and graces of the Virgin. The message does not contradict the teachings of the Catholic Church. Many supernatural phenomena accompanied the apparitions. While there are only two formal messages given by Heaven at Garabandal, there were many words exchanged between the Virgin Mary and the girls. From July 2, 1961, to November 13, 1965, they claimed to have had over 2000 encounters with Our Lady. Discover the message of Garabandal.
The Two Formal Messages Given at Garabandal
The First Message Given by the Virgin at Garabandal
This message was given to the four girls on July 4, 1961. According to Our Lady's request, the children revealed it to the world on October 18, 1961, the feast day of the Evangelist Saint Luke.
"We must make many sacrifices, do much penance, and visit the Holy Sacrament frequently. But above all, we must lead a good life. If we do not, a punishment will come upon us. The cup is filling, and if we do not change, a very great punishment will come upon us."
The Second Message Given at Garabandal
On December 8, 1964, the Virgin appeared to Conchita, announcing that on June 18, 1965, she would see the Archangel Saint Michael again. This announcement by the Virgin was fulfilled to the letter, and on June 18, 1965, Conchita received the second message of Garabandal from the Archangel.
"Since my message of October 18 has not been heeded, I am telling you that this is the last one. Before, the cup was filling; now, it is overflowing.
Many cardinals, bishops, and priests are on the path to perdition and are taking many souls with them.
Less and less importance is being given to the Eucharist.
We must avoid the wrath of God upon us with our efforts. If you ask Him for forgiveness with a sincere heart, He will forgive you. I, your Mother, through the intercession of the Archangel Saint Michael, beg you to amend your lives.
You are already in the final warnings. I love you very much, and I do not want your condemnation. Pray to us sincerely, and we will grant it to you. You must sacrifice more. Think of the Passion of Jesus."
The Last Apparition
The apparitions ended on November 13, 1965. On that day, only the visionary Conchita was called. She climbed alone, in the rain, to the place called "the Pines." The Virgin spoke affectionately to her: "Speak to me, Conchita, speak to me of my children!
I carry them all under my mantle... I love you and I want your salvation." Conchita felt so happy that she wanted the Virgin to take her with Her. But the Lady explained: "When you stand before God, you must show Him your hands full of works done by you for your brothers and for the glory of God. At this moment, your hands are empty."
The Essence of the Message of Garabandal
One of the great characteristics of Garabandal is the close and maternal relationship of the Virgin with the girls. From the words of the Holy Virgin, we can extract these essential points that form the message of Garabandal:
The Virgin defines herself as "I, your Mother." This became the title of the Virgin of Garabandal: Our Mother.
The Virgin taught the girls to recite the rosary slowly. It is not the daily quantity that She asks of us, but especially the quality of our prayers.
The importance of the Eucharist.
The wearing of the scapular of Mount Carmel.
The constant request for prayers for priests.
The Virgin announced, through the visionaries, the fulfillment of a series of events: Warning, Miracle, and Punishment. Their purpose is to lead to a profound conversion of the heart.
Other Testimonies of the Four Girls
At Garabandal, the four girls spent a great deal of time in the presence of the Virgin and spoke with Her in a very familiar manner. Here is their testimony:
The great closeness with the Virgin: "We talked with Her about everything, including our cows. She smiled a lot. We also played. How happy we were! We did not suffer at all, even if someone disturbed us. Everything was perfect with the Virgin! It was really like a friend, a mother; as if She lived with us. And She called us by our familiar names, as people did. She did not say 'María Concepción,' but 'Conchita.' Nor 'María Dolores,' but 'Loli,' etc. Now we get tired during prayer times; but in those moments, we did not feel tired, or sleepy, or anything. We saw Her so many times!"
An affectionate Mother: "She kissed us almost every day before leaving. They were farewell kisses on both cheeks. Once I asked Her to let me kiss Her, and other times I kissed Her without asking. When the Virgin disappeared, the girls returned as if coming from Heaven, with their hearts full of love for Jesus and Mary, and the desire to speak of them to everyone, because it was the only thing that could make them happy: to speak and listen to the Virgin."
Purity: "I love the Virgin as if She were my Mother. I can talk about everything with Her. I remember that one day She told us: Be very pure. I also paid attention to that when I lived on earth."
Lessons from the Virgin to the girls: "One day when the Virgin appeared to us, we were wearing the belt of sorrows, although very loose, just so She would notice that we were wearing it. We had it around our waists, and we felt it from time to time. She told us: Yes, I know you are wearing it; but it is not exactly what I ask of you, nor what pleases me the most. I simply ask for fidelity in ordinary life.
She also told us once: If you saw an angel and a priest together, you should first venerate the priest."
Some prophetic words: On June 19 and 23, 1962, the Virgin told the girls:
"There will come a time when the Church will seem to be on the verge of disappearing... It will undergo a great trial... The world has not changed, it has not changed at all; few will see God; they are so few that it pains Her. What a pity that it does not change! The punishment is coming. Since not everyone changes, the cup is filling." The four girls added: "How sad the Virgin was. Although She did not show it to us, because She loves us so much... She bears it alone, because She is good. Be all good, so that the Virgin may be happy!"
You Too, Pray with Your Tender Mother in Heaven
At Garabandal, the Virgin Mary appeared as a true Mother, tender, understanding, gentle, attentive, embodying all the most beautiful qualities. Following the four girls, let us draw closer to the Heart of our Mother, who wants us all in Her loving arms.
To quickly reach the Heart of our Mother Mary, pray the ROSARY!
to pray the daily rosary!- ! For a month, honor the Holy Virgin by consecrating your entire life to Her! Each day, offer Her a part of your existence.
- . With this novena, let Mary speak to your heart to bring down the Kingdom of Heaven within you and discover its profound Joy!
