What is Garabandal?
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The subject has been brought to my attention once again. On my pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella, I made a point of going to Garabandal, more out of devotion for Our Lady of Mt. Carmel than curiosity. I think I met one of the seers - although I can't recall who, and I spent much time praying in the areas where the events took place. I believed the apparitions were most likely authentic. I continue to believe that, although I do not keep up with the news surrounding the phenomena. At one point I read that one of the Bishops in whose diocese Garabandal is situated rejected the apparitions and discouraged pilgrimages. My take was to follow what the Bishop said, while remaining open. For some reason or other, I'm not able to make these things the focus of my spiritual life. Garabandal, unlike Fatima and Lourdes, does not have full and official Church approval, and that remains a difficulty for me. Although a website dedicated to Garabandal posted the following statement:
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The new Bishop, Archbishop Vincente Zamora has stated publicly that he will take any new information on Garabandal. The previous Bishop, Archbishop Carlos, openly encouraged pilgrims to go to Garabandal and for priests to say Mass and hear confessions there without having to obtain approval. The Parish Priest, Fr. Rolando, has publicly declared his belief in the apparitions. This ecclesiastical support has been totally lacking in the Spanish clergy till recent times. - What is Garabandal?
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As with all such reports of apparitions and messages, details on the events and persons involved, as well as interpretations of what was said, can become confused over time. Which is another reason I try to remain aloof.
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What impresses me most about Garabandal is the number of holy people who believed the events were authentic and the message worthy of belief. Among them, St. Padre Pio, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta and Blessed Maravillas of Jesus, the great Carmelite restorer of the Teresian Carmel in post-revolutionary Spain.
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Perhaps the events at Garabandal may warrant a closer look once again. I love the idea that Our Lady visits us.
