Stations of the pines

Meditations about the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Mount Caramel in the village of Garabandal, Spain. by Gabriel Garnica

IntroductionIn 1961 Our Lady appeared to four simple, humble girls in SanSebastian de Garabandal, a small village located in Northern Spain.The events that followed over the following four years have etchedone of the most inspiring and loving examples of Gods love formankind and The Blessed Mothers maternal touch for Her children.In the steps of Lourdes and Fatima, Garabandal has become yetanother Heavenly directive asking us to serve God, to followChrist, to listen to Our Heavenly Mother, and to pray and live asGod wants us to live. In a world whose only vision is towardself, Garabandal calls on us to look toward God and others inhumble, loving service.It is not a coincidence that The Stations of The Cross line thesteep, rocky path up to the front of the Pines where so much hashappened and so much is yet to happen in this village. To trulyfollow Christ is to take our own individual Via Dolorosa, and thoseStations remind us of our Saviors own journey to theultimate, loving sacrifice for our sins. It is hoped that these simpleStations of The Pines will serve as a reminder of the events andpoints so central to the message of Garabandal, where the world wasvisited by Our Blessed Mother through Conchita, Jacinta, Mari Loliand Mari Cruz.

THE FIRST STATION The MessageSt. Michael The Archangel Appears to the Seers for the First Time The importance of the Holy Eucharist, the priesthood, and the Church are shown by the fact that this station begins and endsOn a Sunday evening in mid-June, 1961, the girls are playing near a near the church. The seers would later learn that this angel was, schoolmasters garden when they hear a noise like thunder in fact, the archangel Michael, long associated with the fight and shortly thereafter see a brilliant, shining figure, which they between good and evil and protector of the faith. Just as Michael recognize as an "angel". When the angel disappears, the girls led the heavenly forces against Lucifer and his rebellious spirits, return to the area of the church where they had been playing so too he will be with us as we fight evil and rebellion against earlier. Eventually many people, including the families of the Gods plan prevalent in our world today. We clearly see today seers, learn of this event. how the Holy Eucharist, the priesthood, and the Church itself are under attack. The Garabandal Message is very much about the need to protect and defend these great elements of our faith against the evils of our world.

ST MICHAEL DEFENDER OF THE CHURCHOne of the rare indications that a time limit has been imposed upon Satan and his followers, is the apparition of St. Michael the Archangel byPope Leo XIII, reportedly took place on October 13, 1884.According to the widely accepted version of what happened on October 13, 1884, after Pope Leo XIII had finished celebrating Mass in the chapelof the Vatican, aided by a few cardinals and Vatican auxiliary suddenly stopped at the foot of altar. He remained there about ten minutes, as intrance, his face white. Then going immediately from the Chapel to his office, he composed the prayer to St. Michael, with instructions to berecited in every place after a low mass.When asked what had happened, said shortly before leaving the foot of the altar, he suddenly heard voices - two voices, a gentle and kind, and theother guttural and harsh. Seemed to originate near the tabernacle. When paid attention heard the following conversation:The guttural voice, the voice of Satan proudly shouted the Lord, "I can destroy your Church." The gentle voice of Our Lord: "You can? Thenproceeds to do so. "Satan: "To do that, I need more time and more power."Our Lord: "How long? How much power? "Satan: "From 75 to 100 years, and greater power over those to be delivered to my service."Our Lord, "You have the time, have the power. Do with them what they want. "He intimated that Leon XIII, from that moment, Satan was given a time limit to carry out his purpose, and also understood that if the devil hadserved its purpose at the end of the given time, would suffer a crushing and humiliating defeat. It was then that he saw the great role that St.Michael would play in this conflict, and that we should rely on his powerful intercession. It was as a result of this vision that Leo XIII composedthe prayer to St. Michael. Prayer to Saint Michael ArchangelSaint Michael, Archangel, defend us inbattle. Be our defense against thewickedness and snares of the devil. MayGod rebuke him, we humbly pray. Andyou, Prince of the heavenly host, by thepower of God, thrust into Hell Satan andthe other evil spirits who prowl the worldfor the ruin of souls. Amen.

THE SECOND STATION The Message Jacinta sees a vision of the Sacred Heart Christ comes to us as loving and merciful Lord Who welcomes us into His Sacred Heart. He is The Good Shepherd, seeking His lost sheep. He is The Good Samaritan, picking us up from theTwo days after the first apparition of St. Michael but before the first beating of sin, reviving us with the water from His Heart, healingapparition of Our Lady, the girls went up a bit farther in the calleja, or our wounds with the oil of His forgiveness and mercy and takingsmall path, where they had seen the first apparition of St. Michael. us home with the payment of His Blood. Lastly, He is the LovingThey did this because some younger boys had thrown stones at Father who welcomes His prodigal children with openthem the day before. In their higher spot, they were more hidden arms, inviting them back to the fold.from view. From this new vantage point they saw a large smooth The Garabandal Message is as much, if not more, about mercystone even further up upon which they could all kneel. It was to this and forgiveness than about justice and consequences. What arenew spot that they subsequently went on the day of the first vision ofthe Blessed Virgin. Jacinta said in an interview that while the other the Warning and Miracle, if not great examples of Divine Mercy?three girls fell into ecstasy seeing the angel, she was a little behindand suddenly, like a flash, saw the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Jacintastates that this vision made a deep impression on her and, althoughHe did not speak to her, His loving gaze penetrated deep into herheart, and He gestured with His Hands, pointing to His Heart withHis left hand and beckoning her to come with His right hand.

SACRED HEART OF JESUS: SOURCE AND PROMISESThe spread of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is due to St. Margaret Alacoque to whom Jesus appeared with these words: "Behold this heart of mine, despite consuming loveconsumed by men, do not get Christians other than sacrilege, contempt, indifference and ingratitude, even in the same sacrament of my love. But what pierces my heart torn apart isthat these insults the receipt of consecrated people especially my service. "Here are the promises Jesus made to St. Margaret, and through it all devoted to His Sacred Heart:1. Ill give you all the graces necessary for their state.2. I will establish peace in their families.3. Console them in their sorrows.4. I will be their secure refuge during life and especially at the hour of death.5. Pour abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.6. Bless the homes where the image of My Heart shall be exposed and venerated.7. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source, the infinite ocean of mercy.8. Tepid souls shall become fervent.9. Fervent souls will rise to great perfection.10. I will give to priests the talent to move the most hardened hearts.11. Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be erased from him12. I promise you in the excess of my mercy, my powerful love will grant to all those who take communion for nine consecutive Fridays, the grace of final perseverance; not diewithout my grace, nor without receiving the sacraments. My Heart shall be their safe refuge in that supreme moment.Ability to earn this grace are threefold:1. Receive Holy Communion for nine first Fridays consecutively and without interruption.2. Intend to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to reach the final perseverance.3. Provide every Holy Communion as an act of atonement for the offenses committed against the Blessed Sacrament. PRAYER FOR AFTER COMMUNION EACH FRIDAY THE FIRST NINE My sweet Jesus, that in your infinite mercy promised sweet grace of final perseverance which take communion in honor of your Sacred Heart first Friday in nine consecutive months, remember this promise and I, your unworthy servant, which I receive you sacramentally for this purpose and intent, grant that I die I detest all my sins, believing in you with a living faith, waiting in your ineffable mercy and loving kindness of your most loving and lovable heart. Amen.

THE THIRD STATION The Message Our Lady Appears to the Seers the First Time Our Lady comes on the Feast of The Visitation because, just as she visited her cousin Elizabeth to help her, so too she has come toTwo weeks after the angels first appearance and after a series of Garabandal to help us now and in the future. Just as She carriedother similar appearances by the angel, the angel speaks for the first Jesus in her womb during this visit to Elizabeth, so too She wouldtime and announces that the following day Our Lady would carry Jesus to us, not only in Garabandal, but always. It is ironic thatappear, which she does, as Our Lady of Mount Carmel. the two parties involved in the Annunciation, Our Blessed Mother andAccompanied by St. Michael at her right and, it was later the angel Gabriel, are present here as well, since we are called torevealed, St. Gabriel, at her left, the Holy Virgin speaks about many cultivate the kind of faith which Mary exemplified at both thethings with the seers and recites the Rosary with them. There is a Annunciation and the Visitation, where she proclaimed her beautifullarge eye to the right of the Virgin, which seems to be the eye of "Magnificat" in praise of her God. We are called to the kind ofGod. At the end of the Rosary the Virgin leaves. humility, gratitude, and praise which Our Blessed Mother personified. The eye of God seen to Marys right reminds us that God is always watching us and therefore we must remain faithful to this calling, message, and mission! Also important is the fact that Our Lady comes to Garabandal as Our Lady of Mount Carmel, long associated with the Scapular which She held in Her hand. Given the beautiful promises made by The Virgin to St. Simon Stock regarding this powerful sacramental, we are reminded that Garabandal is also a source of future Divine Mercy through its message of The Warning and The Miracle.

SCAPULAR OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMELIn 1251, Our Lady, accompanied by a multitude of angels appeared to St. Simon Stock, General of the Carmelites, the Scapular with Brown in his hands, and said:"Whoever wears this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire. "The Brown Scapular, plus the promise of salvation for those who die with him, also carries the privilege to call on Saturdays. Saturdays privilege is that the BlessedVirgin will bring in Purgatory as soon as possible, especially on Saturday after his death, who died with the scapular and during his life have been saved chastityaccording to their state.In addition to the great promise of saving us from hell, from Saturdays singular privilege and honorable title of Brothers of the Virgin and the salvation of thedangers, it also provides the privilege of a great number of indulgences, all those who wear the scapular and thus enjoy the good works that are practicedthroughout the Carmelite Order.The scapular can be blessed and imposed by any Carmelite priest, diocesan or religious. However, the ceremony of taxation should follow the official riteestablished by the Catholic Church.

THE FOURTH STATION The Message Our Lady Appears with the Infant Jesus Perhaps one of the most concise of the stations. The Savior of the World, brought within Our Heavenly Mother at the earlierThe day after her first apparition, Our Lady appears without the apparition, is now visible. So too, Our Lady brings Ourangels but, more importantly, with the infant Jesus. After speaking Savior, invisible to us at first, but then clearly visible at Christmaswith the seers for half an hour, the Virgin disappears. and through His Word and messages today." Blessed are they who do not see, and yet believe" for in believing what they did not see at first, they are blessed with the source and fruit of their belief. Our Blessed Mother carries Her Divine Son to us everyday; it is our job to carry Him to a world which needs Him more than ever!

THE FIFTH STATION The Message The Kissing and Blessing of Objects What began as an innocent intuition, with simple pebbles, grew into a phenomenon quite unique to Garabandal. Many criticize the seeming over-emphasis of religious objects as some sort ofIt begins with a simple game...the girls bring some pebbles to amuse talisman or superstitious practice, but this criticism misses thethe infant Jesus. Our Lady kisses these pebbles and asks the seers point that these objects become symbols of faith and are notto give them to the people in the crowd. When the people realize that venerated themselves. Three observations can be made here.the Virgin had kissed them, they begin to hand over First, out of innocence (simple childs play) comes faith (thatrosaries, medals, rings, and the like to be kissed as well. Soon special graces can be and are derived from kissed objects).specific people in the crowd are singled out to receive these objects. Second, Gods love, mercy, and special graces are found in theBoth a sweet odor and a luminosity has been observed from many of spontaneous innocent faith of children more than in thethese kissed objects, even many years later. practiced, premeditated agendas of cynical adults.At the final Garabandal apparition of November 13, 1965, Our Ladytells Conchita that Jesus will perform prodigies through the kissed Third, to live the Garabandal message, we must again becomeobjects and that those who wear such objects with faith and as children of faith who believe that God can and will workconfidence will make their purgatory on earth with suffering through people and even objects to demonstrate His endlesscorresponding to that which they would have had in purgatory. love, mercy, and power.

PHOTO IN THE ECSTASY OF OBJECTS KISSED

THE SIXTH STATION The Message The Blessed Virgin Teaches the Seers How to Say the Rosary Prayer is clearly a central aspect of Garabandal, and it is impossible to overlook this in our stations. The obvious first layerIn a village where prayer in general and the Rosary in particular are of this fifth station is that we must pray for the world, priests, analready common practice, the Blessed Mother teaches the girls how increase in our faith, and each other. Second, prayer should notto pray correctly and with true devotion. She instructs them on how be some dreaded task or chore; it should be a joyous, desiredto say the Rosary slowly, thinking about each word, and meditating meeting with our God! In a world that either does not pray oron its mysteries. The pace and rhythm of the Rosary comes to be prays only when tragedy strikes, the irony is that the lack ofknown as the Garabandal Rosary, which becomes a song of praise regular prayer is a tragedy itself. We are reminded of St. Francisand honor where quality, not quantity, was the goal. who turned prayer into a joyous song of praise. Our Lady did not miss any aspect of prayer and the Rosary in Her instructions, even teaching the children how to make the sign of the cross with dignity and respect. In Her second message, She added "pray to us with sincerity and we will grant your requests." The centrality of the Holy Rosary is once again stressed as in Fatima and elsewhere. From all of these points and more, we can conclude that a life without prayer is a life without God

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARYThe Blessed Virgin appeared to Saint Dominic and told him: "Do you know, my dear Dominic, that weapon has served the Holy Trinity to reform the world?" "Oh, MyLady, " he said, "You know better I, for Your Son Jesus Christ after you were the main instrument of our salvation ""Know that the main part of the battery was the angelic salutation, which is the foundation of the New Testament, and therefore if you want to win these hard heartsto God, pray My Psalter""Many preachers want then thundering against the most serious sinners, forgetting that before giving painful remedy is necessary to prepare the patient to receive itand take advantage of it. So the audience must first encourage a love of prayer, especially to my Angelic Psalter, because if everyone starts to pray it is doubtful thatthe Divine Mercy will be conducive to those who persevere. Pray then, my Rosary. ""One day through the Rosary and the Scapular I will save the world! " - Our Lady to St. Dominic Praying the Rosary at the site of the apparition of Our Lady

THE SEVENTH STATION The Message Our Lady as Catechist and Guide Once again, we see Our Lady as a loving and caring Mother who knows that simply telling someone to do something is not enough; ifOur Ladys instruction in prayer is just one of the ways in which She one truly loves another, one will show them how and why to doacts as a catechist and guide to the seers and, through them, for us. something correctly. In a world where people only think ofIn teaching the girls about the love of God; loving God and our themselves at worst, or show minimal concern for others at best, weneighbor; living a life of faith; observing fundamental, social, and are called to go that extra mile, to serve as models of Christ-likepersonal virtues; the hereafter; piety and the church, Our Lady behavior, to be "carriers" of the word and love of God, and theserves as their instructor, guide, and model. In turn, the villagers example of Christ and His Blessed Mother. Let us be goodlearn much from the example shown by the visionaries behavior and Samaritans and our brothers keepers all rolled into one in a worldconduct in prayer and life in general. that often appears immune to the love of God. St. Irenaeus wrote a meditation which reads "Eve, by her disobedience, tied the knot of disgrace for the human race; to the contrary, Mary, by her obedience, undid it. This representation of Our Lady as the "Undoer of Knots" fits beautifully here. Through her instruction, love and care, Our Blessed Mother can help us to undo the conflicts and problems in our lives as well, facilitating our personal path to salvation as well as our opportunity to help saves souls, if we accept that invitation. At Garabandal we see how rosaries were miraculously untangled when returned to their owners. If we trust Our Lord and His Blessed Mother and follow the advice given at this humble Spanish village over four decades ago, They will likewise help us to untangle the problems in our lives.

THE EIGHTH STATION The Message Our Lady Visits the Homes Garabandal is certainly a welcoming, friendly village, and so the ideaOur Lady visits every home in Garabandal in the course of the of visiting and welcoming with open arms is not foreign to theapparitions. Homes are visited more than once or twice as the need villagers. It is in this spirit that we see a multitude of "little visitations"presents itself. The seers would enter a home in ecstasy, and would by Our Lady not unlike those she made to her cousin Elizabeth. Justremain for various lengths of time. as the Gospels show us Jesus sanctifying homes during His ministry, we see the Virgin sanctifying homes with her visits. We are given a three-fold mission: First, in a very real sense, we are to visit the sick, the lonely, and the poor as Christ instructed us to do. The life lived according to the Garabandal messages is not a passive exercise where one waits to see how one can serve others. On the contrary, we must be pro-active. We must seek out service by visiting our neighbors in both a physical and spiritual manner (e.g., by thinking of them and praying for them). The second part of our mission is that we must live a life that is open to Christ, so that He will always be present, always be with us in our minds and conduct. Third, we must likewise visit Him in the Blessed Sacrament, and not forget to visit Gods House. Let us follow the example of Elizabeth and, open to Christ, ask "Who am I that my Lord should visit me?"

THE NINTH STATION The Message Leading Good Lives In this day and age we are witnesses to the two extremes in dealingOne of the first and most critical elements of The Garabandal with the salvation of souls. At one extreme we find those who areMessage is also the most simple. Our Lady tells us that the path by obsessed with dates and clues in an attempt to predict future eventswhich we may save souls, including our own, is to "lead good lives". and prophecies. At the other extreme we find those infatuated withIn late 1965 Conchita tells a priest that "There is no use in believing prayers and profound words. While Christ encourages us to read thein the apparitions if we do not comply with the Message." signs of the times and pray, He also expects our actions to reflect our love and loyalty to God. Actions speak louder than words and tea leaves, and in order to truly follow Christ we must pick up our cross, put away our selfishness and resentments, and actually live in imitation of Christ to the best of our abilities. Imitation of Christ is found in actions rather than calculations and mere words. Another aspect of this station is the idea that God does not promise happiness in this world. In fact, the times tell us that leading good lives according to God may often provide us with difficult choices contrary to societys norms or even our familys wishes. Such choices have become increasingly common in this age when the world is increasingly distant from God and the kind of lives He wishes His children to live. At the end of the day, living a good life means living a life for and about God in service of others. It may often be living a life quite different from the kind of life this society suggests we should live. Leading a good life leading to salvation implies humility, obedience, loyalty, respect and commitment to serving God through love and service to others. We must atone for our sins through penance, forgive offenses, practice modesty and chastity according to our stations in life, exercise charity and patience and embrace sacrifice as reparation for sin.

The TENTH STATION The Message The Importance of Marriage and The Family In this age where the sacredness and nature of both marriage and the family are under such attack from the devil, Garabandal standsAmong the sacred objects kissed by The Blessed Virgin are wedding as a reminder that both of these institutions are central to a societyrings, which are then returned to their rightful owners. On a number whose focus rests on God. The present assaults upon traditionalof occasions, the seers are able to identify the false matrimonial marriage and family are evidence of just how much the devil hatesstate of various spectators. Our Lady seems to have a predilection to and fears the power of these sacred institutions.visit homes with children. Also, many believe that the visions of seerMari Cruz stopped because her parents forbade her to go out andpray with the others, demonstrating Heavens respect for parentalauthority and wishes. All of the visionaries eventually marry, and allexcept Jacinta have had children.

THE ELEVENTH STATION The Message The Supernatural Made Natural The supernatural events of Garabandal, like the Dancing of The Sun at Fatima, are meant to demonstrate The Almightys Power and The heavenly calls, ecstatic walks, unexplainable levitations, Authority over the physical world, as well as to provide proof toincredible physical manifestations, unexplainable medical unbelieving minds and hearts. Beyond the purely physical andobservations and other supernatural events of Garabandal have scientific meaning of these events, however, is the simple truth thatbecome one of the most enduring elements of those apparitions. following God Almighty and serving His Divine Will transcends thePhotos, film and scientific observations have recorded the nature of mere physical and rational chains of this material world. Simplythese events for posterity. put, with God, anything is possible and without Him, any evil is possible.

SOME PICTURES Extasis and Levitation from Seers

THE TWELFTH STATION The Message The Sacredness of Life We must recall that The Visitation is one of the most beautiful testaments to the sacredness of life from the womb onward. We are Seers Mari Cruz and Jacinta visit the home of Pepe and Clementina told that St. John The Baptist, within the womb of St.Diez in ecstasy every day for 18 months. The Diez family includes Elizabeth, reacted to the Presence of Jesus, within the womb of Hisseveral children including a baby and Clementina was an expectant Blessed Mother. At Garabandal Our Lady clearly continued thismother at the start of the Garabandal events. The girls frequently predilection toward maternity, expectancy and children.visit the sick in ecstasy, and many objects kissed by The Virgin have Likewise, Scripture tells us just how much Our Lord came to cure thebeen reported to have resulted in cures. Finally, at least two of the sick, more in soul than body, but both nevertheless.seers, Conchita and Mari Loli, have worked as nurses. Service to others obviously includes serving and protecting the most vulnerable among us, be they the unborn, the elderly or the sick, because all life is sacred and worthy of respect and protection.

THE THIRTEENTH STATION The Message Respect For Tradition and Authority Open defiance of authority is a dangerous area. While one Garabandal is a very traditional village where the past is held in high has a duty to defy immoral or evil orders, we must rememberregard and respect. Its religious and cultural customs are maintainedand passed from parents to children. Likewise, The Blessed Virgin that the devil began his rejection of God in precisely thistells the seers to obey their parents, superiors and priests before way. Certainly Heaven wants us to respect ourobeying Her. In August of 1961 the local priest forbids the seers from parents, superiors and civil or religious authority wheneverentering the church in ecstasy and they comply without hesitation possible without endangering our souls. The litmus test forunder the direction of The Virgin Herself. In the winter of 1962 The such respect and obedience must always be whether or notVirgin does not appear to Jacinta for a month because she hadcomplained at her fathers order that she go to bed instead of waiting practicing it will lead to the greater glory of God and ourfor an apparition. salvation. Our own subjective desires or wishes should not hold precedence over obedience and respect toThe Virgin tells the seers that Vatican II would have a positive impact parental, societal or religious authority absent a clear threaton the Church as long as men did not disrespect the traditions and of immorality dangerous to our souls and salvation.history of The Church by furthering their own subjective biases andtaking advantage of room for subjective interpretation.In summary, there is no evidence in any part of the Garabandal If Vatican IIs actions have had a negative impact upon theevents that the seers were encouraged or even permitted to present Church, then Garabandal tells us that such harmsintentionally disrespect or disobey superiors in any way. have not resulted from the Council itself or its original motives but subsequent corruption and manipulation by those not interested in the greater good of the Church or the faithful. The Virgin told the seers that people of other faiths are "all my children" and once told them that one day Protestants would return to the Catholic Church. Taken in this context, Heavens Ecumenism is one of diplomatic respect for what is good in other faiths while prayerfully and charitably recognizing where differences lie. This is a far cry from mans Ecumenism, which is simply one of appeasement, surrender and betrayal of basic Catholic principles in a crude effort to forge union. Such Ecumenism lacks the courageous conviction, loyalty to the Faith and humble trust in The Almightys ultimate designs present in Heavens version.

RESPECT FOR TRADITION AND BY THE AUTHORITY .

THE FOURTEENTH STATION The Message Fr. Luis Sees The Miracle The importance of the priesthood and religious in TheFr. Luis Andreu was a good and saintly priest who was very Church has always been one of the cornerstones of theprominent in the early events of Garabandal. In August 8, 1961, Fr. Garabandal Message and events. Here we have a JesuitLuis sees The Miracle while near the girls in ecstasy. The girls, who priest receiving the privilege of seeing Our Lady and theusually do not see anyone other than The Virgin during thesevisions, see him as well. He exclaims, "Miracle ! , Miracle !" and is Miracle as well.very moved. Later, he dies peacefully after expressing how great Our Lady once told the seers that if they met a priest and anand loving a mother Our Lady is and how fortunate we are to have angel, they should greet the priest first because he wassuch a mother. consecrated and the angel was not. The Virgin gave the girls the power to identify priests wearing non-priestly attire, demonstrating that they were specially marked by Heaven. We should note that Fr. Luis, a priest, is the only person other than the seers to see Our Lady at Garabandal and, along with Padre Pio, another priest, the only one to see The Miracle beforehand. Our Lady asks us to pray constantly for priests, for their mission is great and central to the Church and therefore the assaults and threats they and all religious face from the devil is likewise great. Praying for priests and all religious is a constant element of the Garabandal Message. At Garabandal Our Lady made it clear that priests have to capacity to inspire holiness and lead their flock toward salvation or, on the contrary, to induce sin and drag their sheep toward perdition. This danger was plainly stated in the Second Garabandal Message of 1965. However, we must note that Our Lady did not speak of "bad" priests, but of priests who were misled, misleading or had lost their way or mission. Conchita even remarked that if many priests fall into sin and lead their flock to perdition, we are at fault for not praying enough for them. It is noteworthy that Fr. Luis was a Jesuit and that particular order has increasingly become involved in much defiance of core Catholic doctrine and teaching, being prone to secularism and modernity.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PRIESTHOODFATHER LUIS ANDREU PRESENCE THE MIRACLE

THE FIFTEENTH STATION The Message The Corpus Christi Night of Screams Just as in Fatima, Our Lady does not spare these innocent children from a vision of hell. During the controversy over theIn June of 1962 the girls are shown a vision of hell and its tormentsand the coming Chastisement, causing them to scream in fear and film "The Passion of The Christ", many critics argued that theanxiety. The people are so affected by these events that most of the movie was too violent and traumatic for children. Whilepeople in the town go to confession afterward. certainly parents were wise to use discretion and carefully consider if their child could handle the film, many children, including my own pre-teen daughter, saw this film and were very moved by it contrary to the overblown fears and warnings of critics who perhaps just wanted to find more things to criticize about this masterpiece. We know that Our Lady and Our Lord would never harm innocent children, so it is clear that sometimes instilling fear of evil and its consequences has its place. While the Blessed Mother did not actually use the word "hell" in the Second Message of Garabandal, She did mention "the road to perdition". Also, we should note that She did not speak of "perdition" but the "road" to that perdition, thereby reminding us of the merciful and loving God Who is seeks our return to Him before it is too late. Certainly, as Conchita has often noted that priests should warn their flock of the existence of purgatory and hell. This society increasingly ignores, avoids or even mocks this existence, thereby serving the purpose and plan of the devil quite well. The evil one knows that one of the best ways to snare souls is to deceive people into believing that there will be no eternal consequences for their actions and sins. The popular modernist notions that we will all be saved no matter what we do or that God is so loving that He would not condemn anyone are merely two additional baits used by the devil to seize souls. Note how reference to hell has been removed from modernist versions of The Act of Contrition, for example.

NIGHT OF SCREAMS

THE REALITY OF PURGATORY AND HELL

THE SIXTEENTH STATION The Message The Visible Host The critical importance of the Eucharist in The GarabandalOnly the early morning of July 19, 1962, with prior notice, Conchita Message is highlighted by this key event. Our Lady told theleaves her home and goes around to the corner of her house whereshe suddenly falls to her knees in a puddle and prepares to receive seers on June 18, 1965 that "Less and less importance isCommunion. Suddenly, as witnessed by numerous people and being given to the Eucharist." The girls had receivedrecorded by photo and film, a Host appears on her tongue which she Communion from the angel before this, but only when athen swallows. It is made clear that this miracle is performed by God priest was not available. By the end of 1962, only Conchitathrough the intercession of Saint Michael for the purpose of and Mari Loli received Communion from the angelsincreasing belief and faith among the people. It was given inresponse to the pleas of the girls for a miracle that would prove the hand, perhaps because they had more sufferings to endureauthenticity of the apparitions and was announced 15 days in and thus would have a greater need for Communion.advance. When a priest asked Mari Loli and Conchita which they would rather choose, a locution or a Communion, both unhesitatingly answered "Communion!" despite the fact that locutions filled them with bliss and Communions did not necessarily have such side effects. We must also remember the great importance of The Real Presence, which happens to be a favorite devotion of Conchita to this day. One of my favorite saints is St. Tarcisius, an acolyte who died clutching and protecting The Blessed Sacrament from an angry pagan mob. Garabandal reminds us that we should all hold Our Lord close to our hearts as St. Tarcisius did, protecting The Blessed Sacrament from a world that increasingly disrespects, mocks and ignores this beautiful gift from God Almighty. Our present society leaves much to be desired in its treatment of Holy Communion, increasingly degrading Its meaning and sacred character. The Protestant view of The Host as only a symbol and the resulting rejection of The Real Presence have crept into Catholic practice for many. The Eucharist combines Garabandals key elements of the priesthood, Communion, sacrifice and Christs Real Presence. Many believe that the Miracle will be of a Eucharistic nature.

The Visible HostConchita before the Miracle of theSacred Host It makes visible the Sacred Host

RESPECT AND HONOR TO THE EUCHARIST

THE SEVENTEENTH STATION The Message The Cemetery Rosary and Events In the popular Garabandal book "O Children Listen to Me", author Fr. Robert Francois comments that this eventIn early November of 1962, Conchita and Mari Loli go to the towncemetery together, in ecstasy. They sing the Rosary once inside with demonstrates "that the world of the living and the dead aregreat devotion and also place the crucifix on the tombs of various not separated and that they are united by one and the samerelatives. Later that week, Conchita is seen holding a crucifix through Redeemer."the locked cemetery gate, as if holding it out for as man as 100 The Garabandal events are full of such examples of respectinvisible people to kiss, which Conchita later confirms the departed and love for the dearly departed in Christ. The seers wouldsouls did. often visit the homes of the departed to visit their families in ecstasy and pray over the bed of the deceased family member or at their portraits, blessing these with a crucifix. We must also note that The Virgin also taught the girls to pray for the Holy Souls of Purgatory as well. Clearly, Garabandal is as much about the afterlife as it is about the present life, for not only must we live this present life for God to have an afterlife with Him, but we must show love, compassion, mercy and charity toward those who have already passed on, for one day we will be in their places.

The Rosary Cemetery & Events

THE EIGHTEENTH STATION The Message The Second Message In his book "Our Lady Comes To Garabandal" Father Joseph A. PelletierOn June 18, 1965, a full four years after St. Michael first appeared to observes that the devils feverish plan of attack against the Church in this era isthe seers and with seven months advance notice, Conchita falls to to first attack those in key Church positions, namely clerical leaders, then priests, nuns and brothers, followed by central points of doctrine, the teaching authorityher knees at the cuadro, the precise spot where both Our Lady and of the Church, the Eucharist, prayer and penance, and Mary. Fr. PelletierSt. Michael had appeared the first time. A large crowd has gathered interprets this strategy of the devil as recognition of the fact that "When allin the town in anticipation of this message, which is made public the (religious) are leading holy lives, everything else in the Church will fall into place.“next day and reads as follows: It should be noted that later versions of this message replaced "Many cardinals,As my message of October 18 (1961) has not been complied with many bishops and many priests" with merely "many priests". Conchita explainedand has not been made known to the world, I am advising you that that cardinals and bishops are priests as well. Note how many cardinals andthis is the last one. Before, the cup was filling up. Now it is flowing bishops merely offer lip service against the evils of abortion, stem cell researchover. Many cardinals, many bishops and many priests are on the and nontraditional marriage and family. In fact, many openly defy the Church themselves, leading many faithful astray or into confusion. Note also how manyroad to perdition and are taking many souls with them. Less and less religious have become involved in leftist and socialist beliefs, practices andimportance is being given to the Eucharist. You should turn the wrath causes. Note how many nuns now dabble in the occult, New Age, goddessof God away from yourselves by your efforts. If you ask him worship and radical feminism, condoning and even promoting abortion andforgiveness with sincere hearts, he will pardon you. I, your vulgar and despicable plays. Rather than guide the faithful and defend the faith,mother, through the intercession of St. Michael the archangel, ask many religious corrupt the faithful and betray the faith themselves. Truly, if theyou to amend your lives. You are now receiving the last warnings. I destruction of religious is a key crime of the devil in these times, the blood andlove you very much and do not want your condemnation. Pray to us evidence of this crime is all to prevalent and visible in our world today.with sincerity and we will grant your requests. You should makemore sacrifices. Think about the passion of Jesus. This message mentions the "road to perdition" rather than "perdition" thereby still illustrating the merciful opportunity to change direction in that fateful path. Likewise, the reality that lost religious take many souls with them is significant as one reason why the devil has so concentrated on such people and therefore why we must pray for them, which is a most important part of the Garabandal message. Perhaps the most powerful aspect of this message is that it reads like a present day newspaper article. We see how the fall from grace of many religious has contributed greatly to todays spiritual crisis and confusion within the Church. Scandals and defiant stances threaten to divide and subvert the Church itself. Likewise important is the role of the Eucharist in Garabandal, from the fact that the actual pine trees in the pines were planted by Conchitas grandfather to commemorate childrens First Communions to the Visible Host to the foretold future Miracle many feel will be of a Eucharistic nature on a Thursday no less which is the day of The Last Supper where The Eucharist was instituted. Rejection or neglect of The Divine Presence and increasing disrespect of Communion through reception by those in sin, disbelief in Its sacred character and questionable standards and procedures for administering It today all demonstrate societys failure in this area. Finally, the roles of sincere sorrow and contrition for our sins, forgiveness of others, sacrifice and remembrance of Our Lords Passion all encourage us to keep these directives toward salvation close to our souls, hearts, minds and actions.

Second Message

THE NINETEENTH STATION The Message The WarningOn January 1, 1965 Our Lady tells Conchita of a world-wide The much discussed Warning is central to the Garabandalsupernatural phenomenon that will be experienced by all. This event events and may be described as an individual Damascuswill be a spiritual wake-up call for each of us and is the first of two experience for each of us in the steps of what happened totranscendental events prophesized at Garabandal. Paul. Each of us will see ourselves as God sees us and will understand how we have offended God by what we have done and what we have failed to do. It will be a miraculous, supernatural event clearly coming from God and designed as a correction of our conscience, a divine and merciful purification and a call that we abandon our sinful ways. It will also be a turning point, a fork in our eternal road, for we will then have the choice to either approach a loving, merciful God or fall farther away from Him.

Description of Warning by the Seers CONCHITAThe Warning is something that comes directly from God and will be visible throughoutthe world wherever you are. Wiil be as a revelation of our sins, as will be seen andexperienced by believers and nonbelievers and people of any religion. Its like apurification for the Miracle. Is a form of disaster. We will think about death, that is, Idrather be dead than experience the Warning. The Warning is supernatural and maynot be explained by science. The Warning will be the correction of the conscience ofthe world. For those not Christians or do not know Christ will believe that will be awarning from God.The most important thing about that day, so that everyone in the world will see asign, a grace or a punishment within themselves - in other words a warning. Werealone in the world does not matter where, alone with his conscience before God. Youwill see your sins and your sins have caused.I feel different because it depends on our consciousness. The Warning will be verypersonal, different react to it. The most important thing is to acknowledge our sins andthe bad consequences of them. Warning your experience will be different from minebecause your sins are different from mine .. Will be only a Warning to see youve donewith your sins. Will be as a purification before the great miracle. It is a phenomenonwhich will be seen and felt around the world, anywhere and always give the exampleof two stars colliding. The phenomenon did not cause physical damage, but if we areterrified because at that moment we see our soul and the damage they have done. Belike if we were in agony but we will not die but their effect may die of fear if theimpression of seeing ourselves. Nobody doubted that comes from God and not ahuman being. What it is and I have much fear of that day.The Virgin told us that the Warning and Miracle will be the last public demonstrationwarnings of God to give us. We must always be ready with our souls in peace and notmuch attached to things of this world. We must constantly think that we are here to goto heaven and be holy.

Description of Warning by the Seers MARI LOLIThe Warning and Miracle will occur in the same year (within a period of 12 monthsand not necessarily in the same year). When the Warning occurs even stop all theplanes in the sky. Like all faults I have shown me my faults and I am afraid of it. All Ican say is that this very close and it is important that we prepare because it will be aterrible thing. Show us all the evil we have done. We must do much penance, manysacrifices, visit the Blessed Sacrament every day possible. All Warning experiencedregardless of your condition or knowledge of God. Be a personal experience. Like theworld will stop and no one will notice that it will be totally absorbed in his ownexperience. Will be as an inner feeling of guilt and sorrow for having offended God.God help us see clearly the suffering it causes and all the evil we have done. He willhelp you feel the pain inside because many times when we do something wrong justask God for forgiveness with our lips, but now through the Warning, He will help usfeel a deep pain. Before the Warning will appear that the Communism will be takenaround the world and it is very difficult to practice the religion, for priests to say Massor to the people open the doors of churches. Anyone who wants to practice thereligion will have to hide. The Pope will have to run and hide like anyone else. TheWarning is like a great silence, like a sense of emptiness

Description of Warning by the Seers JACINTAThe Warning is something that is first seen in the air anywhere in the world andimmediately is transmitted into the interior of our souls. It will be a short time, but willfeel like they will last longer for the internal effect on us. Will be for the good of oursouls, in this way see ourselves our conscience, good and evil we have done. Thenwe will feel a great love for our Heavenly Father and ask forgiveness for our sins. TheWarning is for everyone because God wants our salvation. The Warning is in order tolead and get closer to Him and to increase our faith. We must prepare for that day, butdo not expect it with fear because God does not send things to scare us but does sowith justice and love and do it for the good of all His children should enjoy eternalhappiness and not be lost. The Virgin said that the Warning would come whenconditions would find the worst.

The Warning? What is it ? There is a secret of Heaven and one of the world, and the latter is terrifying. It will seem as if the end of the world. And this disaster is all separated from heaven, which will turn white as snow. "- Jacinta, one of the visionaries of Fatima, Portugal, on his deathbed to Mother Godinho, February 1920 "The Warning is the greatest act of mercy of God after the redemption, if the man refuses, the man will be the greatest act of hypocrisy to God. Many will be converted, but there will be many who continue to deny God. "Father Philip Bebie, C. P. The Warning shall be as the conversion of St. Paul the Apostle, who was penetrated by the same light they will endure. On his way to Damascus, traveling to that village for persecute Jews who lived there and had just become. In a glorious vision, it was revealed that he not only persecuted the Church, but Jesus himself, the same Lord of heaven and earth! The blinding light of the risen Christ condemned as sin. Paul obeyed the warning that Jesus had given him, he repented and became His faithful followers, and left behind his past life. Be an act of God ... an act of His Mercy. While the world avert the annihilation of entire nations depends on how each of us react to this act of His Mercy. Father Philip Bebie, C. P. At the time when the world has lost its sense of sin, we suddenly see how God sees us. We recognize our sins. If you refuse this act of mercy ... if we persist in our sins ... do not deserve to see the whole world purged by fire ... or any other purification chose Divine Justice?The Warning will show us our sins. The Warning will be a test of eternity. Time will stop for amoment during the Warning and the truth of eternal existence will fall upon us all. Suffer for amoment the pain of our sin, the pain of separation from God, the pain of purgatory or hell. GODwill allow us to see everything in the Warning.

THE TWENTIETH STATION The Message The Miracle Conchita has stated that it will be "the greatest miracle thatOur Lady tells Conchita that at eight-thirty on a Thursday Jesus has performed for the world" leaving no doubt thatevening, coinciding with an event in the Church and with the feast of God is its origin or that it is for the good of mankind. She hasa saint, martyr of the Eucharist, on or between the eighth andsixteenth of March, April or May and within a year or so of the also stated that the Miracle of Garabandal " will be a miracleWarning, a miracle will occur in Garabandal which will be visible to of the love of God, something that will prove and manifestall in the village and surrounding mountains. The sick who are His love to us in an outstanding way." What further need bepresent will be cured, either physically or spiritually, and those who said than this?do not believe will believe. Conchita will announce this event eightdays in advance.

THE MIRACLEIn June 1961 the Blessed Virgin began to appear for over four years to four young girls in a small village of300 inhabitants in the Cantabrian Mountains in northwestern Spain, called Garabandal. Are some interestingfacts about the Miracle: It will take place between 8 and 16 of March, April or May, a Thursday at 8:30 pmOccur within one year after the Warning andConchita, one of the seers, will announce the date eight days earlier. Occur on the feast of a martyr of theEucharist (who is Spanish and whose name is not known to the Spanish). Coincide with a major event of theChurch and the local bishop will receive a personal signal before the event. The lift the ban to allow priests togo to town. Conchita says in the magazines GarabandalMiracle: "It will be visible to all who are in the village and surrounding mountains. The patients who will bepresent, heal, and unbelievers will believe. It will be the greatest miracle that Jesus has done for the world.There is no doubt that is of God and that is for the good of humanity. A sign of the miracle, which may befilmed or televised, will remain forever. " Father Philip Bebie, C. P., says of the Miracle: Millions will see that day. The Miracle will be a revelation. The Miracle is a clear revelation of Gods Mercy. The Miracle will be Eucharistic. The Miracle will be the Church. The Miracle will be Marian. The Miracle become worldwide. The Miracle is sacramental. The Miracle will be a warning. . The Miracle will be for the Glory of God ..

THE TWENTY-FIRST STATION The Message The Permanent Sign Just as Our Lord came to us through Our BlessedConchita states that a permanent sign of the Miracle, which will be Mother, The First Tabernacle, at Christmas in a miraculouspossible to film or televise, will remain forever at the pines. way, so too God Almighty will touch us through the Miracle at Garabandal. Just as Our Lord is present in the Eucharist through The Real Presence, so too will He give us a permanent reminder of His presence through this permanent sign at the Pines. It is interesting that pines are associated with Christmas and are permanent as well.

CONCLUSIONThese stations are meant to serve as a reminder of the key events and points of Garabandal. Anyone who has visited this humblevillage cannot forget its peaceful simplicity and quiet testament to the loving mercy of God and touch of Our Blessed Mother. Toclimb up the steep rocks toward the Pines is to experience two realities, that of this world and that of Heaven. From an earthlyperspective the climb is rocky and treacherous, but from a Heavenly perspective it is swift and safe if one trusts in the lovingwelcome from Our Lady awaiting at the top. Once surrounded by those beautiful pines, one is enveloped in a feeling of peace andlove which is hard to describe. More than conducive to prayer, the Pines are a prayer in and of themselves, a testament to Godsloving and merciful power and promise.Garabandal is famous for its miraculous llamadas, or Heavenly calls through which the girls were summoned to their HeavenlyMother and its ecstatic walks and runs through which these same girls raced up steep rocks to converse with that loving Mother.In a very real way we are each called to make our own walks toward God through the events and messages of Garabandal.May all who read these humble stations find them a useful reminder and guide and may they be fortunate enough to one day visitthe equally humble village that God has touched and through which God will continue to touch an ungrateful and forgetful world.

GARABANDAL PICTURES

Lovely Lady dressed in blueTeach me how to prayGod was just your little boyTell me what to sayDid you lift Him up sometimesGently on your knee?Did you sing to HimThe way my mother does to me?Did you tell Him stories of the worldand oh, did He cry?Does He care if I tell Him things?Just little things that happen?And do angels wings make a noise?Can He hear me if I speak low?Does He understand me now?Tell me, for you know.Lovely Lady dressed in blueTeach me how to prayFor God was just your little boyAnd You know the way

FOR THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN:We pray to Our Lady of the Mount Carmel, that every soul departed fromthis world in this terrible earthquake, gives them the eternal rest and theEternal Light shine forever. OUR LADY OF PURGATORY, PRAY FOR THEM

STATIONS OF THE PINES by Gabriel Garnica Gabriel Garnica is a college professor and licensed attorney. He is a frequent contributor to many conservative websites and has written nearly 300 articles on religious topics, including many for Garabandal International Magazine. Any comments or inquiries regarding this or any of his work can be directed to: gbgmyarticles @ yahoo .com This work was possible thanks to: Our Lady of the Mount Carmel Margarita Reyes fendio5@aol.com Martha Quinteros christian6456075@gmail.com Editor: Ernesto Camara jecamarai@hotmail.com

Stations of the pines

by capturado guatemala on Mar 17, 2011

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Stations of the pines — Presentation Transcript