Our Lady of Garabandal & Medjugorje

"How long will this people insult me? How long will they

refuse to believe in me despite the signs I have

worked among them?"  Numbers 14:11

      In 1961, in the village of San Sebastian deGarabandal in northwestern Spain,

four young girls- Mari-Loli Mazon, Jacinta Gonzalez, Maria Cruz Gonzalez and

Conchita Gonzalez- reportedly had a series of visions of St. Michael the

Archangel and theBlessed Virgin. In all, there were reported to be over 2,000

apparitionsspread over a five year period. During these apparitions, the

visionariesclaimed that they were asked by the Blessed Virgin to plead with

humanity toreturn to God through prayer, fasting, frequent confession and

reception of theEucharist and acts of mercy.

 

      Since these apparitions occurred over a period ofyears, the visionaries were

extensivelystudied by medical professionals, scientists and others while they

were in ecstaticstates. They were found to be non-responsive to attempted

disruptionscaused by actions taken to burn their skin, by pinpricks and other

tactile stimuli,by bright lights shone directly in their eyes and by the

effects expectedwhen they violently dropping to their knees as they entered a

state of ecstasywhen Mary was reportedly appearing to them.

 

      The Church's initial evaluation of theseapparitions in 1961 concluded that

there was "noproof that the said apparitions, visions, locutions, or

revelations canso far be presented as true and authentic". However, in 1986

Bishop del ValGallo, the Bishop of Santander, appointed a new commission to

reevaluate theevents at Garabandal. By 1987, the Bishop had given permission

for visitingpriests to celebrate Mass in the local church, a practice which had

been restrictedsince 1962. Further, the results of the studies of the

Commission haverecently been forwarded to the Vatican for analysis and final

evaluation. So adefinitive final Church evaluation of the events at Garabandal

has yet to beissued.

 

      Early in this series of purported apparitions,Mary reportedly revealed her

message to theworld:

 

      "Many sacrifices must be made. Much penancemust be done. We must pay many visits to the Blessed Sacrament...but first ofall we must be very good...If we do not do this, punishment awaits us...

already the cupis filling, and if we do not change we shall be punished."

 

      In addition, the visionaries claimed that theywere given a series of

frighteningwarnings about the future. Each of the girls stated that Mary told

them about aseries of four extraordinary events which would reflect God's

concern for thestate to which humanity had fallen. These events were reported

to be:

 

A world-wide warning to be experienced by everyone onearth. Its purpose will be to call humanity to amend its behavior and return toGod.

 

A great miracle that will occur in the late winter orearly spring within one year after the warning.

 

A permanent "sign" that will remain for all time atGarabandal and other selected locations where Mary has appeared.

 

A terrible chastisement during which many will die.

      Other prophecies indicate that the chastisementwill eliminate up to 2/3 of humanity. The chastisement is conditioned upon theresponse of humanity to the warning and the miracle.

 

      Conchita has stated, "The Warning, like the Chastisement, is a fearful thing for

the good as wellas the wicked. It will draw the good closer to God and warn the

wicked that theend of times are coming." In describing the warning, Jacintahas

said, "The Warning is something that is seen in the air, everywhere in the world

and isimmediately transmitted into the interior of our souls. It will last a

very little time,but it will seem a very long time because of its effect within

us." Conchita has stated that she has been given the date of the Miracle by the

Blessed Virginand will announce the date eight days before it is to occur.

 

      Since the Miracle will occur after the Warning,it is highly likely that both

the Warning andMiracle will occur within the next thirty years given Conchita's

present age (45years) if this apparition is determined to be a valid one.

 

      In describing the Warning, Conchita stated, "it would be like fire. It will not

burn our fleshbut we will feel it bodily and interiorly." It seems to be an

astronomicalphenomena, "like two stars...that crash and make a lot ofnoise,

and a lot oflight...but they don't fall. It's not going to hurt us but we're

going to see itand, in that moment, we're going to see our consciences." In

addition to theseevents, Conchita has stated that she was told by the Blessed

Virgin in 1962that after the death of Pope John XXIII "there would be twomore

popes after PopePaul VI and that one of the popes would have a very short

reign. After thatwould come the end times but not the end of the world." If

Conchita hasinterpreted this vision of Mary correctly, then Pope John Paul II

is the last ofthe popes before the end times begin.

 

      Clearly, the messages at Garabandal, if they arereally a message from Heaven,

bring theprophecies of the Apocalypse very close to fruition. If Garabandal is

to be believedthen it is highly likely that the events foretold two thousand

years ago andrepeated with increasing intensity in the twentieth century will

occur within thelifetime of most people reading this text. Indeed, several

prophecies pointto these events coming to pass within the next five years!

 

      In October, 1996 the Bishop of Santander issued aletter indicating that the

events atGarabandal that started in 1961 were NOT of supernatural origin.

The message ofimpending disaster allegedly revealed at Garabandal was repeated,

with more detail,in Yugoslavia a decade later. In June, 1981 six young people

from the mountainvillage of Medjugorje reportedly encountered Mary near the top

of Mount Podbrdo,a small mountain located in central Yugoslavia. In a series of

apparitions thatstill continues, but with much less frequency, she reportedly

sent a message offaith, prayer, fasting, conversion and peace. In these

apparitions Marysaid she came to bring humanity back to her Son; and warned

that Satan isespecially active in these times and that it was necessary to pray

fervently andoften to ward off his advances.

 

      During the early '80's, Medjugorje became wellknown initially throughout

Europe, withnewspaper reports in such disparate publications as Le Monde and

the FinancialTimes; by the late '80's it had become known throughout the world.

As a result ofits growing fame, more than ten million pilgrims had visited it

by the tenthanniversary of the first apparition. On the tenth anniversary,

conflict brokeout among the Bosnian Serbs and Croats which has continued to

this day. Despitethis conflict, thousands of pilgrims still manage to make the

dangerous journeyto Medjugorje each year.

 

      Less well known than the apparitions themselves,is an unusual event that

preceded them. InMay, 1981, Father Tomislav Vlasic of Capljina, Yugoslavia was

in Rome attendinga conference on Catholic Charismatic Renewal. At this

conference heasked to be prayed over for the healing of the Church since he had

becomeincreasingly pessimistic about his parish ministry. One of the

individuals whoprayed over Father Vlasic was Sister Briege McKenna, a member of

the Sisters ofSt. Clare with a healing ministry. While she prayed, Sister

Briege reportedseeing Father Vlasic sitting on the celebrant's chair in the

sanctuary of hischurch and surrounded by a large crowd; beneath his seat were

streams of livingwater which were flowing from the altar. Simultaneous with

this, Fr. Tardiffanother of the individuals praying over Father Vlasic,

reported hearingthe words, "Do not fear. I am sending you my Mother." The

apparitions inMedjugorje began several weeks later.

 

      Since the apparitions have lasted for such a longtime, it has been possible to

subject thevisionaries to a large and diverse number of medical, physical and

psychologicaltests. The physiological and psychological battery of tests they

were takenthrough showed them to be bright, well-adjusted teenagers. The

medical testsindicated no major physical problems. In short, they seemed to be

experiencingsomething outside themselves which had a significant and long-term

impact on theirdemeanor and behavior.

 

      In the reports of her appearances here, Mary issaid to ask each of us to return

to her Son; tobecome aware of the active and destructive role that Satan plays

in the modernworld and to protect ourselves against Satan's actions through

frequent, ferventprayer to Jesus. In addition, she requested fasting twice

weekly, frequentreception of the sacraments -particularly the Eucharist - and

personalsurrender of our will to the will of God.

 

      To emphasize the urgency of her requests, sheentrusted the visionaries with ten

secrets whichpurport to be descriptions of events that will transpire if

humanity fails tocorrect itself. At this time (early '96), two of the

visionaries havereceived the ten secrets. The remaining visionaries have

received nine.She has also told the visionaries that when the apparitions cease

at Medjugorje,they will cease at all other Marian apparition sites around the

world. When thisoccurs, the events described in the secrets will begin to

unfold.

 

      The ten secrets of Medjugorje appear to be acontinuation of the Fatima Secrets

and are similarin general character to the secrets described at Garabandal.

In 1982, theChurch established a commission to begin to evaluate the

occurrences atMedjugorje. As part of the initial report, Father Tomislav

Vlasic, the localpastor, sent the Pope and the Bishop of Mostar a letter

detailing whatlittle information is available about the secrets. In the letter

he states:

 

     "According toMirjana, during the apparition on December 25, 1982, the Madonna confided thetenth and last secret to her, and she revealed the dates on which the varioussecrets will come to pass. The Blessed Virgin revealed many

aspects of thefuture to Mirjana, many more up to now than to the other seers.

For that reason,I relate now what Mirjana told me in a conversation on

November 5, 1983I shall summarize the essential things she said, without any

literalquotations:

 

      Before the visible sign is given to humanity,there will be three warnings to

the world. Thewarnings will be warnings on the earth. Mirjana will witness

them. Three daysbefore one of these warnings, she will advise a priest of her

choice. Mirjana'stestimony will be a confirmation of the apparitions and an

incentive for theconversion of the world. After these warnings, the visible

sign will begiven for all humanity at the place of the apparitions in

Medjugorje. Thesign will be given as the testimony of the apparitions and a

call back tofaith.

 

      The ninth and tenth secret are grave matters.They are a chastisement for the

sins of theworld. The punishment is inevitable because we cannot expect the

conversion of theentire world. The chastisement can be mitigated by prayers and

penance. Itcannot be suppressed...

 

      After the first warning, the others will followwithin a rather brief period of

time. So it isthat people will have time for conversion.

 

      This time is a period of grace and conversion.After the visible sign, those who

are still alivewill have little time for conversion. For that reason, the

Blessed Virgincalls for urgent conversion and reconciliation.

 

      The invitation to prayer and penance is destinedto ward off evil and war and

above all to savesouls.

 

      We are close to the events predicted by theBlessed Virgin.  Convert yourselves

as quickly aspossible. Open your hearts to God. This is a message to all mankind.

 

      In addition to these remarks, Father Tomislavadded the following observations

in August, 1983: "They say that with the realization of the secrets entrusted to

them by Our Lady,life in the world will change. Afterwards, men will believe

like in ancienttimes. What will change and how it will change, we don't know,

given that theseers don't want to say anything about the secrets."

 

      A further clarification of the character of theinitial secrets came from a

series ofinterviews conducted by Janice Connell several years after Father

Tomislav'sreport. In her interview with Marijana, she asked for any additional

information aboutthe secrets that Marijana was permitted to disclose. Marijana

responded:

 

      "The first two secrets will be warnings tothe world - events that will occur

before a visiblesign is given to humanity. These will happen in my lifetime.

Ten days beforethe first secret and the second secret, I will notify Father

Petar Ljubicic.He will pray and fast for seven days, and then he will

announce these tothe world."

 

      When pressed to give additional details, Mirjanastated:

 

      "Well, the first secret will break thepower of Satan, and that is why he is

so aggressivenow."

 

      The message of Medjugorje has the same componentsas the earlier messages

at Fatima,Garabandal and a number of previous Marian apparitions. The local

Church'scommission on the apparitions has yet to make a final determination on

the events atMedjugorje. The strong and personal disagreements between the

local Bishop andthe local Franciscans ministering to the parish at the time of

the initialapparitions combined with the outbreak of the civil war has made a

full and fairevaluation of the events there quite difficult. The clerical

disagreementsappear to be related to the potent influence the Franciscans had

when acting asspiritual counselors to the "visionaries". The local Bishop,

Msgr. Zanic,thought the Franciscans were publicizing the events at Medjugorje

much too quicklyand too rapidly to properly evaluate and analyze what was

happening there.The preliminary Church statement, finally issued in January,

1991 stated:

 

      " The supernatural characteristic (in themiraculous sense) is not

established, butit is not excluded either; the Episcopal Commission continues

its work to get adecision, a decision the bishops do not want judged

prematurely. Thepilgrimage, of national and international dimension, is the

bishops'responsibility."

 

      The message of Mary at Medjugorje is one of peaceand acceptance - acceptance of the will of God, acceptance of whateversuffering that may come as humanity moves closer to a self-induced catastrophe,acceptance of Mary's role as our loving Mother, and acceptance of God's desirefor us to renew our faith in Him

through prayer,conversion, fasting and love. If we convert ourselves with the

help of God'sgraces, then and only then will we be able to achieve peace in our

hearts, peace inour families, peace between neighbors and peace between

nations.

 

      The purported apparitions at Garabandal andMedjugorje have created some

confusion andconflict among the various religious authorities who have

investigated theoccurrences. In Medjugorje, the scientific group headed by Dr.

Korljan, seems tohave been given short shrift in the process of evaluation by

several membersof the clerical evaluation group. In turn, the clerical

evaluation groupdivided between backers of the former Bishop and backers of the

localFranciscans. In short, the Commission seemed to reflect the chaotic state

of affairs inBosnia and Croatia. This type of conflict serves to reaffirm the

Catholic Church'sreluctance to affirm the reality of any apparition until a

long-lasting andthorough evaluation takes place.

 

      In Garabandal, one of the original "visionaries",Maria Cruz, recanted her

originaldescription of events and said she wasn't sure she ever had a vision of

Mary. To furthercomplicate matters, Conchita noted in her diary that the

Blessed Virginhad warned the girls that they would have to experience trials

and suffering andthey would contradict one another. Further the Chancery of

Santander, whichis the local religious authority in the region, issued warnings

about theapparitions shortly after they started thus giving the appearance of trying to

quash theseevents before they were thoroughly examined. Within four months of

the firstapparition, the local Bishop had issued a statement calling events at

Garabandalunproved.

 

     The most troubling aspects of these twoapparitions, aside from their marathon duration, is the predestination impliedin the warning messages. Unlike previous apparitions, there is no contingencyclause to the prophecies such as "Unless men convert...". The "visionaries" saythat they know NOW the date that each of these events are to occur.

 

      For example, at Garabandal Our Lady reportedlystated that the Miraclewill

occuron aThursday evening at 8:30 PM (Garabandal time) between the 8th and

16th of eitherMarch, April or May. The Miraclewill coincidewith an important

event in theChurch and on a feast day of a martyr of the Eucharist. Russia will

finally beconverted after the Miracle occurs.

 

     There are several martyrs whose feast day falls within the dates mentioned

at Garabandal.One is St. John Ogilvie of England whose feast day is March 10th.

St. John wasmartyred because he refused to renounce his Catholicism. The next

March 10th thatoccurs on a Thursday will come in 2005; another is St. Pancras

of Rome whosefeast day is May 12th. He was martyred for his beliefs at the age

of 14. However,May 12th does not occur on a Thursday until 2005. This level of

precisepredetermination is difficult to embrace since it seems to eliminate the

efficacy of anyresponse by humanity to the grace given to it by God.

 

      In addition, the secrets of Medjugorje appear toindicate an almost fatalistic

view of thefuture. Medjugorje is perhaps the most important Marian site in the

last sixty years.Millions have returned to prayer and a sacramental life as a

result ofvisiting or learning about the events reportedly occurring there.

 

      Nonetheless, as with all apparitions, each of usare required to be discerning

as St. Paul hasurged, "Test everything; retain what is good." (1 Thess.5:21)

It is obviouslypossible for Heaven to choose specific dates for events to

occur, but itseems to remove the hope that through repentence and changed

behavior,humanity can petition God to relent as He did at Nineveh. This level

ofpredetermination is not a characteristic of earlier Marian apparitions, nor

does it appear tobe consistent with other statements made about the end times,

"But of that dayand hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but the

Father only."(Matt 24:36-37).

 

      Only time and further evaluation and discernmentwill uncover exactly what

occurred in thesetwo mountainous parts of Europe. Clearly, the response of the

tens of millionsof the faithful around the world would appear to indicate that

these two eventsshould not be taken lightly.