This question confuses many catholics. Forget protestants because from what I can see, whatever they see, they are programmed to repeatedly shout "catholics worship mary".

Officially, the catholic church's stance is that you are not required to believe this miracle, but it doesn't contradict the teachings of the bible in anyway.

For those who need real proof, Padre Pio who lived at the time of those apparitions, and bore the holy stigmata, has STATED CLEARLY that the apparitions are infact genuine, and the messages given are true. As for the miracles and signs, I myself has seen the original video tape where professionals and priets test very hard, including protestants and others, to prove that they are fake, and they all gave up and at last they were all praising God. I don't know if you could get a copy of that video now but if you do, you can see the tests performed and how they failed, clearly defying the laws of physics and nature (so much for science).

So, those who have heard about these apparitions need not be in confusion. These were certified by a saint, and if you really need, by God's grace you can see for yourselves how millions of others believed with proof. I want to say a lot about the apparition, but it is going to be extremely long and I don't intend to do that. However, I will post the most interesting aspects and some PROPHESIES given there, which is going to be a surprise for all, and bring joy to those have a good heart and fear to those who don't ( I belong to this category).

I just wanted to say this in advance because the first question raised by catholics regarding this apparition will be whether it is genuine or fake. You have the word of God's saint, and the stance of the holy catholic church to take away your doubts. It would be a good idea to get a book on this revelation, a reliable one from any catholic bookstore.

-- Abraham T (lijothengil@yahoo.com), April 23, 2003

Answers

Abraham, may I suggest that a more helpful question would be ...
"Has the Church declared the alleged apparitions of Garabandal 'worthy of belief' or 'not worthy of belief?'"

Your subject simply asks, "Is St Mary's apparition at Garabandal true?"
But we poor people here at the forum do not have the expertise to determine the answer. We have to listen to the Church's guidance.

God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), April 23, 2003.

The Church never declares any alleged apparition "true". The farthest the Church will go is to declare that there is no specific reason which would preclude believing in a particular alleged apparition, if we so choose. As far as Garabandal goes, the Church has NOT made such a declaration as of this time. Whether Padre Pio expressed an opinion on the matter is irrelevant. He had no authority in that regard.

-- Paul (PaulCyp@cox.net), April 23, 2003.

Hmm. I never had so much deep thought about that matter. From what I can recall, the church states that even in the matter of private revelations, as long as it does not contradict the bible or the church teachings, there is nothing wrong in believing them. I forget where it was said and when but I am sure about that. I mentioned padre pio because even in his lifetime he was considered a saint, and I think he was declared a saint recently. Many priests and scholars have researched on garabandal and they have stated that there is nothing against the bible or the church teachings. However, the controversial issue is the prophesies on pope John Paul the 2nd, ie our current pope. The only way to clarify whether the prophesies made are true or not, is to wait and see because even thought a specific time period was not said, it is stated that it will be during the life time of the pope. The pope is around 80 years old now. The prophesies about the pope and a direct intervention from God was made in 1961. I am so confident in this matter because we are taught that as long as there is nothing against God and the bible, there is nothing wrong in believing the apparition is true.

-- Abraham T (lijothengil@yahoo.com), April 24, 2003.

Dear Abraham,
For along time in the 60's and 70's, I felt Garabandal was true. I met one of the seers in our Church's community center in San Diego. I read the books related to the apparitions; and spoke to others who had travelled to Garabandal.

Many strange things had been reported about what the Blessed Virgin told the children of the village of Garabandal. Among these were future events that no one can truly say have yet occurred. The visionaries have grown up, and I believe at least two married and have children-- The story died out. One rumor I heard is that one girl has hinted not everything they reported was true. (Don't take my word.)

The Church, as usual, was unwilling to commit to the local excitement in those parts. It warned us all not to believe anything until we had more proofs. Since then, it seems no more is coming out of Garabandal.

This is why the Catholic hierarchy is extremely patient about endorsements. Too many times the hysteria is over in a few years, and no one is seriously hurt; since the Church warns her faithful to stay calm.

It can be very painful, and dangerous to those of a weak faith, when hopes are allowed to multiply, only to look ridiculous later on. God is offended as well, if people fall for hoaxes; because He has promised us SALVATION already-- without great revelations or sensations. Salvation in Jesus Christ, all we will ever need in this life. It's perfectly fine to pray to His Holy Mother; but Jesus is our best hope. Save your greatest hope and love for HIM. He never disappoints, Abraham! God be with you, bless you & keep you from all harm or misfortune. Amen.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), April 24, 2003.

Tahnk you Eugene. Don't misunderstand me. No miracle or non miracle can take away me faith :)

It is just that I was always interested in learning more about apparitions and miracles and the messages they carry and what is common etc. that has attracted me. I know they are married and have children, but the story has not died out yet. As for whether it is completely fake, the church has not said anything but if we want to believe (as long as it is not heresy), there is nothing wrong. I could confirm one thing though. You might remember Joe, who was blind and had his nose senses gone, who went to st padre pio who cured him of his nose problem, and said something(which is related to garabandal) about his eyes. It does not fascinate me because we as christians, do not need the proof of miracles or apparitions to believe, for faith comes from the heart. However, I was checking about the prophesies of pope made there, and the ones made by Malachy (where errors happened) etc, that is being checked. The Garabandal issue will be a good thing because it has almost died out, but since it is said that it will happen in the lifetime of pope, it would be interesting to see if that was just another fake thing or not. There is nothing wrong, is there?

The one thing which truly complicates this issue and troubles me is regarding the mysterious connection between our pope who is the main character here, and the fatima mysteries (the 3rd one to be precise). I have certain simple doubts about that, but I think it is better to make another post as a topic. Thanks again. I believe we catholics do not build our faith in apparitions or miracles, but by our own free will and by the grace of God.

-- Abraham T (lijothengil@yahoo.com), April 24, 2003.

I forgot to say, you are right about the negative impact of this on those with weak faith. That clearly explains the extreme patience of the holy see and the time taken to confirm these events. Also, if some widely reported and exciting event like this is a flop, it is a huge advantage and a weapon to protestants and other anti catholics, and many who believed will be lost. What makes me slightly turn toward the genuinity of this issue is the interference of Pio. I guess we will have to wait and see.

-- Abraham T (lijothengil@yahoo.com), April 24, 2003.

i wont wait for church approval to believe. once the warning happens im getting my passport so when the miracle is announced i can go to garabandal and be healed of paralysis. i have a strong feeling that Garabandal events are tr

-- me (imnottelling@x.com), November 13, 2003.

I have seen websites about Garabandal, and their pictures, stories, prophecies and witnesses. I think the apparition is genuine. And I also think the third secret of Fatima has not yet happened. I think the persecution of church will take place as it was prophecised in the thrid secret. And the garabandal prophecies are only a matter of time. If it is a true prophecy, it is bound to happen very soon. It said only three popes were left, and it works out that our Pope John Paul 2 is the last one. May God protect and bless Catholic Church always. Even If the end of the world is near, we shall not fear. Salvation belongs to those who belong to Christ Jesus to the end. Peace.

-- Sean (seankim7@yahoo.com), January 03, 2004.

Anything that purports to predict the time of the end of the world (and there have been hundreds of such predictions from various sources) is clearly false, since God Himself has said that NO-ONE will know the time.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), January 03, 2004.

And I also think the third secret of Fatima has not yet happened. I think the persecution of church will take place as it was prophecised in the thrid secret.

That of course is your porogative. The Vatican and the Pope think that with the attempted assasination of the pope and the fall of the USSR that it has happened.

The third secret is detailed here.

In Christ,
Bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), January 03, 2004.

There is no "third secret of Fatima."

There were three PARTS of the ONE "secret of Fatima." (See the linked Vatican site for confirmation.)

-- (The@Scoop.com), January 03, 2004.

There were three PARTS of the ONE "secret of Fatima." (See the linked Vatican site for confirmation.)

Thank you for the correction.

In Christ,
Bill

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45@hotmail.com), January 04, 2004.