The Garabandal apparitions are reported sightings of Saint Michael the Archangel and the Blessed Virgin Mary. These events are said to have taken place between 1961 and 1965, involving four young girls in the village of San Sebastián de Garabandal, located in the Peña Sagra mountain range of Cantabria, a region in northern Spain.
The Blessed Virgin Mary in these reported appearances is often called "Our Lady of Mount Carmel of Garabandal." This name comes from the way she looked, which resembled images of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The bishops of Santander have not found any proof that these events were supernatural. However, the local bishop now permits pilgrimages to the site.
History
The events at Garabandal began on June 18, 1961, when Saint Michael the Archangel appeared to four girls who were 11 and 12 years old.
Saint Michael appeared again on June 25. News of these events spread quickly through the village. Later, the girls said they saw the Virgin Mary. These reports continued for many years.
Content
According to the visionaries, the purpose of the visitations was to encourage a "conversion of heart." The visionaries said they received two messages: one directly from the Blessed Virgin Mary and another from the Virgin Mary through Saint Michael the Archangel.
The first message, shared on October 18, 1961, said: "We must make many sacrifices, perform much penance, and visit the Blessed Sacrament often. But first, we must live good lives. If we do not, punishment will come to us. The cup is already filling up, and if we do not change, a very serious punishment will happen."
On June 18, 1965, the second message was shared during an apparition. This event was shown live on Spanish television. Only Conchita González, considered the main visionary by many followers of Garabandal, said she received the second message. It stated: "Since my message from October 18 has not been followed or shared, I am telling you this is the last warning. Before, the cup was filling; now, it is full. Many Cardinals, Bishops, and priests are choosing a path to destruction, and they are taking many others with them. Less attention is being given to the Holy Eucharist. We must work to avoid God’s anger. If you sincerely ask for His forgiveness, He will forgive you. Through Saint Michael the Archangel, I, your Mother, tell you to make amends. This is your final warning. I love you, and I do not want your condemnation. Ask us sincerely, and we will answer. Think about the suffering of Jesus."
The second message caused controversy because Conchita wrote that "many Cardinals, many Bishops, and many priests are following the road to perdition." She was asked many times to confirm this. She explained that Mary emphasized the importance of the priesthood and focused on priests more than others.
In addition to the two messages, the visionaries predicted a "warning," a "miracle," and a "punishment" if people do not change their ways. The warning is described as a moment when time stops worldwide, allowing everyone to see the spiritual state of their souls and how they should improve. A miracle will occur within a year of the warning. This miracle will leave a permanent mark in Garabandal that can be seen and photographed but not touched. The miracle is expected to happen between March and May. The punishment, or "chastisement," depends on how people respond to the warning and miracle.
According to the Garabandal apparitions, after Pope John XXIII, there will be only three popes, or four if Pope John Paul I’s short reign is included, before the end of times.
Devotees also believe a "small" miracle occurred on the morning of July 19, 1961. A photo, widely shared in books and websites about Garabandal, shows a Holy Communion wafer appearing in Conchita’s open mouth, supposedly placed there by an angel. The girls often claimed an angel gave them Communion and were seen acting as if they were receiving the Eucharist.
Position of the Catholic Church
Past experience with approved apparitions shows that without clear evidence of supernatural events, local bishops and the Holy See are unlikely to approve such claims. Church authorities take a cautious approach when evaluating apparitions. Normally, the Bishop of Santander has the main responsibility for handling such cases. Four bishops who led the diocese of Santander from 1961 to 1970 stated that the supernatural nature of the Garabandal apparitions could not be confirmed.
On July 8, 1965, Bishop Eugenio Beitia of Santander wrote:
We note that we found no content in the teachings or spiritual advice shared with the faithful that requires Church censorship or criticism. These messages encourage prayer, sacrifice, devotion to the Eucharist, respectful worship of the Virgin Mary in traditional ways, and a deep respect for God. They reflect common Church teachings on these matters.
In 1967, Bishop Vicente Puchol Montiz of Santander issued an official statement: "There was no appearance of the Blessed Virgin, St. Michael the Archangel, or any other heavenly figure. No message was given. All events that occurred have natural explanations." Despite claims by supporters of Garabandal that the Holy See has authority over the matter, on May 10, 1969, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith supported Bishop Montiz, stating he "acted correctly in this matter, in full agreement with his authority."
Regarding the reported Marian apparitions at Garabandal, Bishop Jose Vilaplana stated in 1993: "All bishops who led the diocese from 1961 to 1970 said the supernatural nature of the apparitions that occurred around that time could not be confirmed. He also said he saw no need to repeat this in a new statement or give extra attention to an event that happened so long ago."
In a letter to Archbishop Philip M. Hannan of New Orleans, Louisiana, dated April 21, 1970, Cardinal Seper, head of the Congregation for the Sacred Doctrine of the Faith, wrote:
The Holy See has always believed that the decisions made by the Bishop of Santander provided clear guidance for the faithful and helped bishops discourage people from participating in pilgrimages or other acts of devotion linked to claims about the Garabandal apparitions and messages. To address concerns in your letter, this Sacred Congregation confirms: The Holy See has never approved, even indirectly, the Garabandal movement. It has never supported or blessed those who promote or run Garabandal centers. Instead, the Holy See regrets that some individuals and groups continue to spread the movement in ways that clearly contradict Church rules, causing confusion among people, especially those who are vulnerable.
Seers
In 1972, Mari Loli Mazón moved to the United States, where she lived for 37 years until her death in Plaistow, New Hampshire in 2009. Jacinta González became Jacinta Moynihan and currently lives in Oxnard, California, which is just north of Los Angeles, with her husband, Jeffrey Moynihan, and daughter, Maria. Mari Cruz González lives in Aviles, Spain, and is married with four children: Gabriel, born in 1975; Juan Carlos, born in 1978; Lourdes, born in 1981; and Ignacio, born in 1985. Conchita González later moved to the United States and married Patrick Keena in 1973. They live in New York City with their four children and also keep a home in Fátima, Portugal.
Analysis
In his book Person and God in a Spanish Valley, W. A. Christian, Jr., who lived in Garabandal for a time, wrote that the claimed apparitions happened because people felt that their local traditions and customs were in danger due to changes caused by the Second Vatican Council.
The Garabandal apparitions received support from members of Prince Xavier of Bourbon-Parma's family, who claim to be the rightful rulers of Spain and France. Conchita González went to a public meeting with the Pope and some members of the Bourbon-Parma family. However, there was no private meeting or special blessing, as some people claimed.
Skepticism
Skeptical investigator Joe Nickell wrote that the reported Garabandal miracles were based on stories from people, not tested by experts who study deception. Nickell said these events had signs of simple tricks and childish behavior. He also mentioned that the Garabandal visionaries changed some of their statements about their experiences three times.