Customer Reviews

Miracle at Garabandal: The Story of Our Lady's Apparitions and Her Message for the Whole World

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This is an interesting little book. Rather than dealing primarily with the events which occurred at Garabandal, this book deals more with the after effects. In that respect it is an interesting read. Conchita actually moved to the US, married a New York man, and does her best to live an ordinary life; however she is the main visionary from Garabandal, and for that reason her life can never be completely normal. I mean let's face it, how many Catholics can say that they have had Mother Teresa come to their home to visit, as well as various bishops and theologians from around the world? How many Catholics can claim to have had a private audience with the Pope, as well as St Padre Pio? Bottom line is that Conchita is who she is: a woman who has seen visions of heaven and actually knows the exact date when the greatest miracle in the world will soon happen. When you've got that kind of knowledge and background, you will always have people seeking you out for advice and insight, no matter how hard you try to appear 'normal'. Those in the know don't need to wait for Church approval (by the time it comes, it will be incidental since all of the predicted events will have already played out). They know that the important thing is to live the faith and live the message of Garabandal as if each day is your last. Time is short, and no one knows that better than Conchita.

If this were a work merely documenting the apparitions, it would fall short; the events are recounted, but not in great depth. What makes this book unique is that it gives the world a rare glimpse of Conchita's life after the apparitions ended: how she came to New York, met and married her husband, how she lives almost completely unknown to her neighbors, and her close friendship with Mother Teresa. (Mother Teresa visited Conchita in her home for the last time in August 1997, less than a month before the nun died.) Also explains Conchita's friendship with Padre Pio. This book reveals the humanity of Conchita, a woman who is burdened with the knowledge of the most secret Designs of God, yet who wishes nothing more than to live a normal life while she still has time before the great Finale of Garabandal comes to pass, and she will become the most hunted person on the face of the Earth. Having been to her house twice, it is very clear to me that this valiant woman wishes only to remain hidden, and live her life no differently from the average person. She lives in total dread of the greater fame that is yet to come for her, but she is resigned to finish her mission as she promised Our Lady at the last apparition. God be with you, Conchita Gonzalez, and your three companions, forever.