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The apparitions of Garabandal
The Apparitions of Garabandal is the definitive recounting of the extraordinary events which occurred in that remote village located in northern Spain. First published in 1965 and written while the apparitions were still occurring, Sanchez Ventura’s vividly detailed account of his own direct observations and those of the other first hand witnesses he interviewed, is the most authoritative on this subject. If you want to know what really happened at Garabandal — this is the one book you need to read.Author, Francisco Sanchez-Ventura y Pascual was a highly respected Spanish attorney, economics Professor, award-winning novelist, personal counselor to Spanish royalty, and founder of various businesses. However, above all Francisco was a warrior for the Virgin Mary. He founded the magazine Maria Mensajera (Mary Messenger), directed numerous courses specializing in Mariology and published more than 50 books — most of them investigative studies into mystical phenomena and Marian apparitions. He died June 13, 2007.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 27, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 18, 2022
Having experienced a quite liberal, non-theological Catholic upbringing, I unfortunately never even heard of Fatima, Lourdes, La Salette or any of the other Marian apparitions in history until God drew me more into the Catholic faith in my mid-twenties. Even then, I had not heard about Garabandal until I randomly picked up this book from my father-in-law's decent collection of old Catholic works. My wife, upon seeing it, almost shuddered. Back in her school days, during which her father was exceptionally hardcore in his religiosity (he drove half of his kids from the faith for trying to drive it in too hard), my wife took a tragic kind of solace in the hope that soon the world would face a great biblical catastrophe following the long-awaited warning from Conchita Gonzalez, the prime visionary of San Sebastian de Garabandal.
In anticipation of this event, my wife's father had all the family ready with a passport should they need to dash off to northern Spain. And to my wife at the time, such a leave-everything-behind adventure to this random Spanish village to await a miracle and chastisement appeared a far better alternative than having to go back to school.
If this review sounds facetious at this point, I apologise because that is not my intention. I just thought it was kind of a funny story. But on to the subject of this book ...
I absolutely loved reading this from start to finish. Not only are the events (if genuine) a truly amazing story to consider and learn about, but the writer, a Spanish attorney by the name of Francisco Sanchez-Ventura, does a remarkable job in exploring, analysing and defending them. He writes with such a strong and vigorous faith, a true and reverent love for Our Holy Mother, for Our Lord Jesus Christ, and for the Church. And yet - which I found quite surprising given its era of writing - the level of scientific objectivity, of integrity and openness to alternative considerations, is commendable. Then, increasing the writer's merits more, his humour is downright hilarious. Especially in refuting a particular Protestant critic of the events in Garabandal, he toes the line masterfully between humility and biting sarcasm.
As for the events themselves ...
Well, I do not know for certain. Almost nobody can in these instances. And there are a number of things that seem to stand in opposition to these apparitions being authentic. Yet, I think the writer makes a very strong case in Garabandal's favour - he even convincingly reconciles the Vatican's lack of an official endorsement. And, the more you look into the events, watch the footage that survives from the time, read up on the matter, and indeed just give it some serious thought ... I am, myself, inclined to say that I believe.
Certainly - as even certain sceptic investigators opined at the time - these girls saw "something". And it just may have been Our Lady and Saint Michael, by the glory of God in His ever-persisting desire for us to take eternal refuge in Him.
One compelling aspect to consider is that Conchita (who now resides dually in America and Fatima in Portugal), has not left us yet. And, as the message seems to clearly indicate, the great miracle to be announced eight days in advance will happen in her lifetime. By that factor, the claims about this obscure little village in the Santander hills are still to be tested by time.
In anticipation of this event, my wife's father had all the family ready with a passport should they need to dash off to northern Spain. And to my wife at the time, such a leave-everything-behind adventure to this random Spanish village to await a miracle and chastisement appeared a far better alternative than having to go back to school.
If this review sounds facetious at this point, I apologise because that is not my intention. I just thought it was kind of a funny story. But on to the subject of this book ...
I absolutely loved reading this from start to finish. Not only are the events (if genuine) a truly amazing story to consider and learn about, but the writer, a Spanish attorney by the name of Francisco Sanchez-Ventura, does a remarkable job in exploring, analysing and defending them. He writes with such a strong and vigorous faith, a true and reverent love for Our Holy Mother, for Our Lord Jesus Christ, and for the Church. And yet - which I found quite surprising given its era of writing - the level of scientific objectivity, of integrity and openness to alternative considerations, is commendable. Then, increasing the writer's merits more, his humour is downright hilarious. Especially in refuting a particular Protestant critic of the events in Garabandal, he toes the line masterfully between humility and biting sarcasm.
As for the events themselves ...
Well, I do not know for certain. Almost nobody can in these instances. And there are a number of things that seem to stand in opposition to these apparitions being authentic. Yet, I think the writer makes a very strong case in Garabandal's favour - he even convincingly reconciles the Vatican's lack of an official endorsement. And, the more you look into the events, watch the footage that survives from the time, read up on the matter, and indeed just give it some serious thought ... I am, myself, inclined to say that I believe.
Certainly - as even certain sceptic investigators opined at the time - these girls saw "something". And it just may have been Our Lady and Saint Michael, by the glory of God in His ever-persisting desire for us to take eternal refuge in Him.
One compelling aspect to consider is that Conchita (who now resides dually in America and Fatima in Portugal), has not left us yet. And, as the message seems to clearly indicate, the great miracle to be announced eight days in advance will happen in her lifetime. By that factor, the claims about this obscure little village in the Santander hills are still to be tested by time.
February 7, 2022
This was interesting. It was a bit repetitive but at least the author stopped describing every single visitation the girls had. The entire time I was reading this I kind of remembered in the back of my mind reading a story that one of the girls on her death bed admitting it was all a hoax. I’m going to look it up because I’m not sure if I’m remembering that correctly or if I’m thinking of the Loch Ness photo. Not that I would compare seeing the Virgin Mary to seeing the Loch Ness monster. But in this case, unlike Fatima, the sighting was only by the girls. None of the other people present saw anything except the girls acting odd. So, I don’t know. Interesting book though. Some of the predictions were scary.
Edited to add:
OK, I looked it up and this wasn’t the admitted hoax I remembered. The site I read said all but one of the girls are still alive.
Edited to add:
OK, I looked it up and this wasn’t the admitted hoax I remembered. The site I read said all but one of the girls are still alive.
January 4, 2024
Apparitions at Garabandal, eyewitness view
‘For those with faith, no evidence is required. For those without faith, no evidence is enough.” St. Alphonse Liguori
There have been so many scientists, neurologists, psychologists, and septics who have been to Garabandal, studied the girls during their ecstacies, and who have published their opinions that theses were supernatural phenomena. Photographs show the miraculous host which appeared instantaneously on her tongue. Skeptics try to allege foul play, but without any proof of their allegations. In spite of the numerous miraculous cures that have occurred, the prophesies that have come true, the reading of people’s thoughts, and the lack of injury to the girls, the Catholic Church maintains a position that, until the Miracle occurs, no decision will be rendered about the apparitions. The Church’s stance must remain consistently dubious of all alleged apparitions. They do not have the luxury of affirming the miraculous without overwhelming objective, iron-clad evidence, as there are many alleged apparitions that prove to be fraudulent.
As for my own beliefs, I will not be a doubting Thomas. In the words of Our Lord, “Blessed are those who believe without seeing.”
‘For those with faith, no evidence is required. For those without faith, no evidence is enough.” St. Alphonse Liguori
There have been so many scientists, neurologists, psychologists, and septics who have been to Garabandal, studied the girls during their ecstacies, and who have published their opinions that theses were supernatural phenomena. Photographs show the miraculous host which appeared instantaneously on her tongue. Skeptics try to allege foul play, but without any proof of their allegations. In spite of the numerous miraculous cures that have occurred, the prophesies that have come true, the reading of people’s thoughts, and the lack of injury to the girls, the Catholic Church maintains a position that, until the Miracle occurs, no decision will be rendered about the apparitions. The Church’s stance must remain consistently dubious of all alleged apparitions. They do not have the luxury of affirming the miraculous without overwhelming objective, iron-clad evidence, as there are many alleged apparitions that prove to be fraudulent.
As for my own beliefs, I will not be a doubting Thomas. In the words of Our Lord, “Blessed are those who believe without seeing.”
January 12, 2025
I didn’t know much about the apparitions of Garabandal before reading this book. I appreciated the comprehensive history of the apparitions which included witness testimonies, photographs, support and criticism and responses to the skeptics of Garabandal. It also humbly submits in obedience to the Church’s prudence and recommendations while also being open to the grace of God. I would recommend this to anyone wanting a balanced and faithful account of the Garabandal apparitions.
December 27, 2023
Highly readable and thought provoking.
The book tells a story I had not heard before though I am a lifelong Catholic. It is a story of incredible beauty and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. I was inspired by all that I read. The book helped me with my own faith commitment and served to confirm my faith in God.
The book tells a story I had not heard before though I am a lifelong Catholic. It is a story of incredible beauty and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. I was inspired by all that I read. The book helped me with my own faith commitment and served to confirm my faith in God.
December 28, 2019
A wonderfully detailed story of the apparitions.
A wonderfully detailed story of the apparitions at Garabandal. An excellent book to begin with to learn about these amazing messages from Our Lady.
A wonderfully detailed story of the apparitions at Garabandal. An excellent book to begin with to learn about these amazing messages from Our Lady.
July 21, 2022
Insprirational
Beautiful report on the events at Garanbandal. There are simply way too many events that happened for one not to believe and be inspired by our Dear Holy Mother and The Holy Spirit.
Beautiful report on the events at Garanbandal. There are simply way too many events that happened for one not to believe and be inspired by our Dear Holy Mother and The Holy Spirit.
January 18, 2021
Garabandal apparitions
Great read. I would recommend it to serious believers. All might not believe, but it’s believable to me. Amen JMJ
Great read. I would recommend it to serious believers. All might not believe, but it’s believable to me. Amen JMJ
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews