The Hidden Apparitions of Garabandal: What Happened in 1961, and Why It Still Matters Today

A Prophetic Visit Few Have Heard Of

In a remote mountain village in northern Spain, four young girls claimed to have experienced a series of Marian apparitions unlike any the modern world had seen. While Fatima and Lourdes have become household names in Catholic tradition, the apparitions of San Sebastián de Garabandal remain cloaked in mystery, skepticism, and silence.

Between 1961 and 1965, extraordinary events unfolded that included visions of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Saint Michael the Archangel, and a string of prophetic messages meant for the entire world. Though not officially approved by the Vatican, many believe these apparitions are among the most urgent and relevant of our time.

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Where Is Garabandal?

Garabandal is a tiny village tucked into the Cantabrian Mountains of northern Spain. Its population in the early 1960s was fewer than 300. Isolated and devout, it provided the perfect hidden setting for one of the most controversial Marian events of the 20th century.

The apparitions began on June 18, 1961, when four young girls—Conchita González, Mari Loli Mazón, Jacinta González, and Mari Cruz González—claimed to see an angel, later revealed to be Saint Michael the Archangel. Soon after, visions of Our Lady of Mount Carmel followed.

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The Visionaries: Who Were They?

The girls were between the ages of 11 and 12. They were not related, though three shared the same last name due to the village’s small size and familial closeness. They came from humble, faithful families and had no prior history of supernatural experience.

Names and Basic Backgrounds:

• Conchita González: The most prominent seer; received the majority of the major messages.
• Mari Loli Mazón: Known for her intense expressions during ecstasy.
• Jacinta González: One of the main visionaries; moved to California later in life.
• Mari Cruz González: The first to stop experiencing apparitions; struggled the most with the emotional toll.

Eyewitnesses—including priests, doctors, and journalists—reported seeing the girls fall into rigid ecstatic states, walk backwards across rocky terrain without injury, and utter synchronized prayers while gazing upward.

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The Apparitions and Their Messages

Key Dates:

• June 18, 1961 – First apparition of Saint Michael.
• July 2, 1961 – First appearance of the Virgin Mary.
• October 18, 1961 – The First Public Message.
• June 18, 1965 – The Final Message.

Core Messages:

1. Penance, Prayer, and Sacrifice
   • “We must lead good lives. If not, a chastisement will come.”
2. Eucharist and Reverence for Priests
   • A strong emphasis was placed on the Holy Eucharist and the need for respect and support for the priesthood.
3. Three Great Events:
   • The Warning: A moment when every person on Earth will see the state of their soul.
   • The Miracle: A great sign from Heaven that will occur in Garabandal.
   • The Chastisement: A conditional global punishment if mankind does not change.

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Where Are They Now?

Conchita González: She moved to the United States and later married. She has mostly remained silent in recent years but still holds to the truth of her experiences. In several rare interviews, she reaffirmed the reality of the apparitions and the upcoming “Warning.”

Mari Loli Mazón: Moved to the U.S. and passed away in 2009. She remained faithful to the apparitions until her death.

Jacinta González: Lives in California. Like Conchita, she has chosen a life of quiet faith. She no longer speaks publicly about the apparitions.

Mari Cruz González: Remained in Spain and distanced herself from the events. While she doesn’t deny the experiences, she later expressed doubt and spiritual confusion.

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Eyewitness Accounts and Rare Footage

One of the unique aspects of Garabandal is the existence of film footage showing the girls in ecstasy:

• Moving backwards with heads tilted back.
• Dropping simultaneously to their knees on rocky paths.
• Eyes fixed upward in a trance, unblinking, impervious to distraction.

This videos offer a profound visual confirmation of what thousands of people claim to have seen with their own eyes.

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The Church’s Position

Despite the number of witnesses and spiritual conversions, the Catholic Church has not formally approved the Garabandal apparitions. However, it has also not condemned them as false.

The local bishop’s early statements cautioned restraint and urged ongoing discernment. No negative theological errors were found, but due to the lack of officially confirmed miracles, the Church took a cautious stance.

Today, many theologians and mystics revisit Garabandal as a precursor to the Illumination of Conscience—a global spiritual event believed to be coming soon.

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Why Garabandal Matters Today

In an age of confusion, division, and apathy, Garabandal’s messages ring louder than ever:

• Call to repentance is urgent.
• Prophecies of a global Warning mirror what many mystics are saying today.
• Love and reverence for the Eucharist and priests stand as bulwarks against moral decline.

Garabandal reminds us that Heaven continues to reach down—often to the little and unknown—to call us back.

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Final Thoughts

The apparitions of Garabandal may not carry the same institutional weight as Lourdes or Fatima, but they continue to stir hearts, spark curiosity, and inspire faith. They offer a mirror to our current world—a warning, yes—but also a deep hope for divine mercy.

Whether you believe or not, Garabandal is worth knowing, worth praying about, and worth sharing.

“The cup is already filling up, and if we do not change, a very great chastisement will come upon us.” — Final Message of Garabandal, June 18, 1965

Let the world not forget this village. The mountain may be hidden, but the message is not.