Miguel Martinez del Cerro and Gomez He was a Professor of Literature, writer and poet, born in Cádiz the 21 February of 1912 and died in the same city 11 June of 1971)
I am going to relate to you the wonderful story of several days I have spent in San Sebastian de Garabandal. A story that all looks like an old romance Castilian. A miracle Berceo or Alonso the Wise occurred in the twentieth century. But in which, despite the amazing romance and simple tone that my view has been presented, the historical rigor is absolute.
I begin to fear. Because it is so lovely story, and has so ineffable divine taste thing, I do not know if I'll be able to tell with all its charm. I do not know if I know give life inside me that I'm living, It would be unfortunate, lack of expertise in my brush, which in itself it is of immeasurable beauty, stay paled and poor.
And as matter in which even the Church, our mother, He has not given judgment or opinion of any kind, I want to warn, in front, that all statements I in this story you can do are, from today, subject to the judgment of the Church. I believe more in the opinion of the Church than what I may appear to be more evident. And that, so, if anything at all shall fail or against what I might have seen and heard, my opinion is that of the Church (to which I submit full) and not provided by my senses.
And I'll start by telling you the background of history.
I heard of the existence of strange phenomena in San Sebastian de Garabandal, like almost all Spanish, by the press in July 1.961. It was a nice story and remembered the beginning of the events of Lourdes and Fatima. And for a moment I felt inclined to make a visit to this place, mountainous village, which began to resonate the first notes of a funny song or carol shades of romance. But professional obligations kind of me that thought away. And the wheel of my car, impelled by those obligations, He led me in other directions.
But those facts do Garabandal San Sebastian, shortly after the return of my trip, they would again impress my imagination. A close friend of mine surprised me with photos of some visionaries and a bewildering and extraordinary stories, And those photos (the most direct witness of events that could appear before my eyes) had a strange celestial grace or anointing, That unmistakable grace evangelical and divine romance that always appears, invariably, in all that relates to these events. Was already, through them, in the presence of those four girls (Conchita, Maria Dolores, Jacinta and Maria Cruz) then the first three twelve years and the last eleven, to which they appeared the Archangel Michael and the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, in a white dress, adorned with white flowers, and covered with a mantle azulina.
This was another stimulus Attraction. But again my professional duties would hold me. Although this time, If I could not go, my heart was. Because my wife and daughter, unexpectedly and without preparation of any kind, They undertook the trip. And, after crossing Spain walk and climb the steep road up from Cosio to San Sebastian, between large downpours starting at ten p.m., They reached the village at three in the morning. It was the night of the day 14 to the 15 October. And so four days before the first message of the Virgin is read.
Reports that of my wife and my daughter got were amazing. There occurred facts that undoubtedly came from the natural explanation. Some girls driven by higher beings, They are claiming to be the Archangel Michael and the Virgin Mary, Ecstatic stayed, They are beautified, inordinately increased weight, They moved with bewildering speed and in unlikely postures and beautiful, people discovered, and their thoughts and behavior, They gave kissing crucifixes (always moved by those higher beings) without seeing those who gave, his arms and hands (Ecstatic state) They could not be moved by others (another by them) and transmitting a message from the Virgin for Humanity.
Everything was certainly disconcerting. Would it be supernatural character? Would not it be? The facts would end up talking.
From this date reports on events in San Sebastian is happening in my house. One close friend who gave me the first photos, and member of the mountain colony of Cádiz, born in that village and relatives of the seers, Every day we gave a detailed account of each event.
But above all the great report it reached me by the presence of a priest in Cádiz, belonging to an illustrious religious order, I knew the facts in their most intimate privacy. He came to my house. I brought a tremendous amount of objective data on various wonders; those visionaries, simple village, in view, They had spoken different languages. They had improvised songs. A medal had appeared the sign: Miracle of Our Lady. I had a sudden healing, Total and tremendous: of a crashed at the base of the skull. But above all he told me about his inner process. process, before my astonished gaze, He appears in all its sublime grandeur supernatural. He told me things like this: Days before the message 18 October had suffered a serious car accident. And in it several injuries in one leg: the main breaking an ankle diagnosed by several doctors. In the car, with the, He was a Protestant. The two were taken to San Sebastian de Garabandal and hospitalized in a house. Protestant was on a bed next to hers. There the pains suffered by the father were unutterable. coming, with them, fainting. Color face turned as dirt or ash, sign of fracture. And behold,, at three in the morning, when he was in this unfortunate situation, appears, in ecstasy in her room one of the visionaries: Jacinta. Which with funny phrases popular character (looking at the Vision) He asked the Virgin to cure him: The father is very ill. Cúralo ready, soon!. And hearing these phrases father felt the disappearance of the pains and an absolute placidity. Then the father asked the Virgin mentally the girl, which was already retired, give the crucifix to kiss the Protestant. And so it was at the time. The next day the father would say, in the parish, Mass at eight, after, fast would cross the streets and slopes of the people without the slightest sign of fracture.
A few days later was the 18 October; day reading the first message. In the village (the inhabitants of San Sebastian de Garabandal and several thousand people came to the village) They expected, unfounded, supernatural phenomena of the type of the great miracle of Fatima. And even though the seers came into ecstasy, after reading the message, and made wonders in these unusual cases, phenomena that people did not give expected. On this occasion there was disappointment by many. And this disappointment so greatly influenced the mood of the priest who told me that (despite the extraordinary healing he had received a few days before) He began to doubt everything. Would it be (thought) hallucinating? His thoughts of doubt were happening one after another. But behold, finished the great ecstasy of that night, one of the visionaries, Maria Dolores, He sent word to two other gentlemen and were he to where she was, warning that had to scold one of three. When they arrived called the priest and, taking him to a separate room, he said it: -sit. I called three gentlemen for it is not known which of the three is who I have to fight. But I must say that the Virgin told me that there is a person really affects us who have been wondering all afternoon. And I do not want to say anything while that person did not tell me that was her, because it may be that that person did not want to be known.
For that person (replied the father) It was me.
I knew the Virgin said the girl. And from the Virgin, I say no more doubt again, that one day all will have absolute proof.
And, as well speak, comes a warning of another of the seers: Conchita.
The father comes to see me.
He went the father and told Conchita: -Father, He told me that when he was the Virgin Vd. under such pine thought this. When I pass the box thinking that. In front of that house such he thought otherwise.-
And so it was geographically locating each of his doubts and thoughts of that night. And then he said the causes of which, according to Virgen, They had caused those thoughts.-
On hearing this the father said; -I'm glad I hesitated because , thanks to that, I have already obtained a palpable proof of the truth of everything.-
A few days later he was the father Loyola. He gave spiritual exercises Protestant friend to try his conversion. Protestant did not quite feel moved to it. NOT padre, so, He wrote to the visionary Maria Dolores to ask the Virgin for a very special grace that case. A reply came shortly Maria Dolores: – The Virgin told me that what you. request is granted.
I see not the father thought. This follows Mr. Protestant.
But behold, the next day that man came crying and asking for baptism urgentísimamente.
Another day retreat gives the father the former students of a school, in a small Castilian capital. And a strange phenomenon happens: You can not direct the meditations. Do not gush ideas or words, I had to just say: -you meditate alone in this aspect of death, the trial, etc. And so he had two days when suddenly something unexpected arises. Without explaining the reason, the retreatants come to seek him with great cries, conversions, reforms of life and purposes. And they said; -For as you. said last night that thing that impressed me so much. And the father said: But I did not say anything! -It was something that had never happened in any of the exercises had directed. Until he got a letter that explained everything. It was the girl seer Maria Dolores. And he said: -Virgin has told me that you will. She has seen – a very special protection in the spiritual exercises is Vd. directing.-
And also, I could tell you many other cases notabilísimos told me he.
But this is not my purpose today. My desire is to relate to you the event for me lived in San Sebastian de Garabandal from the day 13 July 1962 until the night of 18 to the 19 the same year: therefore six days. And so I had no need to give some of my account information before to take charge mood that drove me there, which is also part of the romance.
Because you understand that, after this information, it was not strange that, in my first vacation, will take, with my family, Santander path to move to San Sebastian de Garabandal.
And this is where the romance I'll tell them properly begins. What until now I have told are nothing more than their background.
Romance think properly begins in Santander. There, in an environment suitable for suspension mood, in which, Given the enthusiasm Pilgrim, appear, on one side, some enthusiasts, fervent and aware of what was happening. Most dominated by irony, the mocking sarcasm and absolute ignorance.-
But where it opened, It raised the whole issue of romance was in a shop next -pueblecito Pesués and San Sebastian de Garabandal-. There the shopkeeper asked excitedly: -Are you going to San Sebastian de Garabandal? And do not you know what happens now? You do not know that one of the visionaries says the day 18 July will take communion from the hands of an angel and you will see the Sacred while taking?.-
And almost simultaneously a man “learned” He commented: -Are you going to San Sebastian de Garabandal? Because they will lose time. I was once a fan of what had happened, But I have spoken with great authority who first defended the facts. And I know from her that there is nothing supernatural in them.-
With this conversation because they were raised two issues. First, the usual: if those facts were or were not supernatural. And, the second, The women noted by, Romance center: -Day 18 July an angel give communion to a girl and the Sacred would.-
we reached, for, San Sebastian de Garabandal in a solemn moment: six days before that in which a sighted announced that occur visible miracle.
I must note that in ecstasy girls had believed receive communion multiple times from the hands of San Miguel Archangel "But though they looked open his mouth and swallow Form, the fact could not be proved because the only data that he had were the movements of the seers and their statements.
we reached, for, in extraordinary circumstances. What would happen? And to me this question felt some fear introducing myself at that time in San Sebastian de Garabandal.
And yet I grew more this fear when I was in town for the circumstances I tell.
But I want to say a few words before the description of the landscape and the people. They form a substantial part of the evangelical character of romance.
To get to the village must first devise a narrow valley of the Cantabrian Mountains. The valley is deep, extraordinary scenic majesty and grace. For it can be reached from Pesués to Cosío. Cosio is a small and stately village, former seat of the family that bears his name, with large, dilapidated stone palaces, wooden balustrades and shields. From there it goes to San Sebastian de Garabandal. And the costs rise, six to seven kilometers, is the most difficult and steep that allows the imagination. San Sebastian de Garabandal is on a spur of the Peña Sagra. And I must warn that the word Sagra, as natural, Holy means, ancient wonders precisely because it made the Virgin.-
I want, because of the rise, tell a story that was told me. He came once an illustrious dignity of the Church to a gas station where he heard that he was discussing the facts of San Sebastian de Garabandal. And, Hearing this, it occurred to intervene with the question; -And why the Virgin appeared there and not in a place like this, where everyone could come and see?
To which the capador of Pesués, I did not know he was talking answered: For the ways of the Lord they are narrow, long and steep.
And I remembered how that phrase both on the rise as people in pedregosísima that from the village up to the Pines -place where many visions and miracles have occurred- and as in all circumstances with which these events are manifesting! “God's ways are narrow, long and steep.
As well, after close, long and very steep road we come to San Sebastián. And how is San Sebastian? Apropósito the people to what is going to happen: a nativity scene gives little and decrepit houses amidst great mountains and majestuosísimas. Poverty, sobriety, tradition, immensity of nature. If you climb to the top of the Pines and look to the village, you will see what a suitable landscape for the supernatural.-
A) Yes, for, We arrived at San Sebastian. And upon arriving appeared in me, simultaneously, one side smooth joyous tranquility. Other mood suspension was increasing every moment.-
Indeed, shortly after my arrival, I had occasion to talk to the seers who impressed me by his utter lack of equipment, None of forced humility or syrupy manifestations of virtue. simply, four playful and even a naughty girls point.
But I also had the opportunity to talk to their parents. And almost all of them I observed the same. They lived moments of genuine confusion, huge suspension mood. They were restless. Some had lost sleep.-
They told me; -Most of the seers had said quietly to each and had written a multitude of priests and friends San Miguel Archangel and the Virgin in the month of June last came informing him that the 18 July occur one “milagruco”. In public he would receive communion from the Archangel. And, upon receipt, Archangel would not be; but the Sacred.
And they wondered: Will it happen prodigy?. The concern was huge, Because if not think about forgers would all like the sight of men and could not transmit the message given by the Virgin.-
The parish priest, Don Valentin, he told me the same concerns and the same direction.-
And I tried to reassure everyone by saying: -God knows his ways. Everything He does is well done.-
But at the same time thought; -And God will not want to try these girls and these men making them even narrower path, long and steep?.-
One thing unnerved many: the miracle was announced by one of the visionaries. Not four.
And even grew more concerned that happened that predictions of that seer, in minor details, They were not always safe. It was not all that uncommon, for example, I had called for a vision and the vision that finally did not arrive.-
Meanwhile since that night, and the following, I had occasion to attend various visions and wonders. Specifically, Before the day 18, nine visions.-
And to take charge of how these visions I will copy them I took notes of the first that I attended, which was the visionary Maria Dolores.-
About three quarter of the night came into view. Earlier he had been playing and even sleeping lying on the table of his father's tavern some time. Before entering vision he said: -I can not anymore-. I think twice. Then he went into the inner room. After, and within, He repeated the same. And he felt a strong knee with both knees. I, I was asleep, I woke up and heard me saying; -and begins- We went to the bedroom door and found the girl in ecstasy, slimmed, more pale and beautified, looking up to a place near moving. Joyful and stirred, expression with the mouth slightly smiling, It took several medals and stretched his arms up to offer them. Then a crucifix. And, carried by the vision, We gave it to kiss all who were there one to one. And the quo were in the inner room once again to everyone. I think he was looking after, among several cards in his nightstand, that of a seminarian who asked him Vision. Not found and rejected others, On a whole portrait, I think it. He said very feebly: -Neither. Neither-.
I wanted to take a string of a medal and could not find the spring. He consulted many times Vision. Moving the lip. And, finally, he managed to open it and fell down the crucifix and the medal. I think there was a crucifix that was not given to kiss the vision that had been kissed and. Finally he puts, joyously, face kissing first one side and then the other and it gave one or more kisses. And then the look he looked the vision going away. It was beautiful. There was a twist on the look that corresponded to one of the vision away. He crossed himself slowly. The look was getting farther up. After it returned to normal and, to meet soon with our eyes, He smiled.-
The other visions I attended were most at -iniciadas many in homes- and longer and complicated.-
It was brief and beautiful communion that gave the Archangel Conchita at the door of the parish, the next morning, I saw the end of Thanksgiving.-
The other visions were all inefables. And he saw all the seers absolutely guided by the Vision and delivered his power,-
Of these two passages remember, One, the farewell, at the door of the church, a vision that took part Maria Dolores and Jacinta. It was indescribable tenderness, fineness and sculptural plasticity, Parting each of the visionaries took the other up so he could kiss the Vision. I do not know if I've ever seen a sculpture so emotional.-
The other was a vision of Jacinta, When he walked dropped a shoe. The shoe was abandoned on the street. But the vision, apparently, Jacinta he had ordered to put it on. And the girl with an eye, as usual, in Vision, He was, stooping and hand and arm movements, to find. As this did not happen quickly thought again without shoe. But again, apparently, He was ordered Vision to seek and wear it. On that occasion took a few steps back. Witnesses saw the lone shoe on the floor. And suddenly, amid the general surprise, carried by Vision, He made a move always looking up. And he asked softly: -Where? Where is?-. until, After several questions, the foot in the shoe fit directly. And bending down and helping with hand-always with an eye on the Vision- It was carriageway. Behind this, cheerful, continued looking at the Vision.-
And, alongside these extraordinary moments funny, the permanent miracle of the discovery of people: the continued placing medals and marriage alliances, You kissed, looking at the vision and always led by Ella, fingers and necks of the often unknown owners.-
But not all were successful in the proceedings of the seers. God undoubtedly thought and, then, he confirmed- I wanted to prove to everyone and cause a growing collective suspension of extraordinary and supernatural spirits dramatic grandeur.-
Indeed, the seer Conchita precisely announcing the miracle of visible communion- Virgin had announced that he would appear, among other days of the week, every Saturday. So always he came happening. And Conchita, like every Saturday, He hoped that the corresponding vision. But behold, I waited an hour and over and over and over. Then he came the morning and Conchita had need to go bed, with tears in his eyes, without receiving the vision. And you know what was this in the minds of us who were accompanying her hour after hour? In our consideration immediately arose the terrible idea: Conchita has failed; then you can also fail when the time of the wonder that so calmly announces arrives.-
The next morning it happened something like; Conchita was the Pinos wait communion that would give Archangel. And the Archangel did not come. Other several hours of disquiet, impatience and doubt. And the same fear, increasingly accentuated, in our minds: What will happen the day prodigy?.-
To top it all ran the news entered a prophecy: To perish it he had revealed that there would come a time when all end up doubting. Would this be the providential purpose of the miracle announced, that would ultimately not be met?-
I assure you that every passing night was for me and for many, greater unrest.-
But, above all, the day of the unrest was impressive 18. And more each passing hour.-
Era, Adamas national party 18 July, the day when the great local village fete held San Sebastian dedicated to the Patron. Not that it was the day of San Sebastián, but one in which the people in the great feast of the saint is celebrated.-
And on the occasion of the national holiday and the saint and, above all, Conchita ad, the town was crowded with pilgrims and strangers- And I enter them, They highlighted priests from various religious orders and of great prestige and authority, some of them called by Conchita own.-
What would happen? To further increase the suspension two circumstances that seemed to oppose the miracle were given.-
A: there were priests. And the Archangel had never given communion the day in the village appeared a priest. That, precisely, it seemed that was the reason that the day before the miracle had failed. But Conchita had claimed that revelation that, but come priests, the miracle occur. And, thus, He had called them.-
Other: on the occasion of the great festival would folk dance. And it was said that to the extreme noise of songs and dances were given no appearances. What would happen?.-
I do not know if everyone would be as nervous as I. I think many equaling. I do not know if any exceeded. My nerves, I assure, They were painful or irresistible. And they were increasing as the day progressed.-
In the morning, for now, There was nothing. the solemn religious function was held Employer, very emotional, and preached with great fervor a father of the Sacred Hearts. And, in her, no wonder. And, After the religious function, anything either. Of course this was said had already been announced by Conchita who claimed he had told someone that would actually afternoon.
During the first three hours after the meal there was nothing to think: the girl did not have the Eucharistic fast necessary.-
But it took five and six and nothing happened.-
The pastor asked me and I steeled: -¿Cree Vd. supernaturality in all this?.
With true fearlessness, given my ignorance in these matters, I explained my theory: -Whichever occurs today, everything is here supernatural. Not only by prodigies, inexplicable from the natural standpoint, that occur but for its beauty. The gospel in its simplicity and contrasts is more beautiful than any literary work. And do not you see the beauty of it all?. Do not observed, whether minino, the immense drama that we are all living?.
The afternoon was cloudy. Big low clouds covering the tops of the nearby mountains,-
And from time to time, as a film musical background reflecting, and further stoked, the concern that all were suffering, rockets echoed the saint's feast.-
But what stunned us most was the son dancing. Especially when we were on the road from Table -place of Primara vision of the Virgin and Pinos. And by a strange congruence of supernatural origin Surely that is more our suspension- He had been placed just in front of the house Conchita, How could We thought- those young men be dancing on a day when many men had come to witness this extraordinary miracle?. Would there be divine action suspended by the worldliness of dance?.-
The visionary own, Conchita, He was asked in this sense. And she said she did not want to comment on whether or not to place the dance. But if I could say that, should be held or not, the miracle would occur.-
And still the hours wore on: eight, nine o'clock, ten o'clock.-
We demanded to ask: Is this a way to test us and humiliate us? Will the road, foretold, that all we come to doubt?-
At this time there was a loud rocket and appeared full and most luminous moon behind a mountain. The sky had cleared. Did that would be the time prodigy? Then we would see that the dispossession of the sky was providential. Without it could not be witnessed the prodigy. But the fact, so, not so produced. –
I could hardly stand. Distressed, without strength, I lay in the field. The suspension of spirits made me irresistible.-
Eleven o clock. someone said: -If they give the twelve nothing and wait because it ended the day 18. Other: Day, by daylight, not finished until one. Other: -And if we add the distance to Greenwich Mean Time, to one twenty-two.-
And they came, terribly, twelve o'clock. And one. And the one twenty-two. And nothing had happened.-
Many were going disillusioned. And with them.
someone said: -It has been fully proven that there is nothing supernatural. EI Heaven can not contradict.-
Does the prophecy would be fulfilled at that time that all hesitation?
I went to dinner. And I said; -All this must have an explanation, Maria Dolores has called. Did you give your vision? What I have seen is an undoubted supernatural. How is it that the Virgin of a message and then I contradict with the facts?
And it was at this moment when my son, a woman of the people, and I, that we were in these comments, we heard screams.-
What's going on? !Conchita is ecstatic!.-
Jumps out to the street. A crowd clamored and shouted, Conchita crowded around.-
A young Dominican, spleens with high I cry, -Be the miracle is occurring!
I jumped to see Conchita who was kneeling in the crowd. I could not see. I hopped on the back of a man. When I saw had already swallowed the Holy miraculous way. Full moon, vivid, He illuminated everything.-
After that the enormous circle of witnesses. Some had seen him fall into the mouth Form. Even two said they proceeded from a green glow. Perhaps an angel transparency arm. After all-from forty to sixty men- They had seen clearly that the Sacred Host was visible minute and a half. Many said that at first was mild and then had gone to thicken contact with saliva. Many saw opened into two halves at the end of the minute and a half, revealing the tongue, reddish, in the middle. One or more, I had a cross like the Mass- perfectly placed in the center.
The prodigy had made had, as announced Conchita, the seer of the White Lady- sight of the people.-
San Sebastian de Garabandal to 22 July 1962
Miguel Martínez del Cerro