| The history of all approved
apparitions shows that the Church requires unequivocal evidence of
supernaturality. This can be cures, as at Lourdes and Beauraing, or
a supernatural prodigy, as at Fátima. The reason from the Church's
mystical theology is that most mysticism (as both St. Thomas Aquinas
and St. John of the Cross teach) is mediated by the angels (who have
a created angelic nature). What the good angels can do the bad
angels can imitate, so that many so-called "supernatural"
phenomena are merely preternatural (above human nature, but not
above the angelic nature). At Garabandal this would include the
ecstasies, the ecstatic walks, the returning of rosaries and medals
to the proper owners and so on. None of these things, much less the
miraculous photos, rosaries turning gold etc. of more recent alleged
apparitions, proves anything to the Church about the divine origin
of a phenomena. In the absence of some clear supernatural proof
neither the local bishop or Rome is likely to approve an apparition.
While two commissions convened by bishops of Santander, Spain,
have stated that there were no phenomena which would authentic the
events as certainly supernatural they did not condemn the message.
In this regard, the first commission stated, "we have not found
anything deserving of ecclesiastical censure or condemnation either
in the doctrine or in the spiritual recommendations that have been
published as having been addressed to the faithful." The bishop
who called the second commission, Bishop del Val, upon retiring from
office stated in an interview that the message of Garabandal was
"important" and "theologically correct." Indeed,
some of the prophetic elements of the message can be found in
private revelations which have been approved since the initial
decision on Garabandal in the 1960s. For example, the concept of a
worldwide warning can be found in the Diary of Saint Faustina (Diary n.83), and both the message of Divine
Mercy given to her (Diary n.1588), and that of Akita (approved
by the local bishop), speak of chastisement if mankind does
not ultimately repent. Similar prophetic content can be found in the
writings of Elizabeth Canori-Mora and Mary of Jesus Crucified, both
of whom were beatified by Pope John Paul II, as well as in
prophecies given by God to Blessed Anna Maria Taigi and St. Caspar
del Bufalo. Finally, the principal promoter of Garabandal, Joey
Lomangino, testifies that it was Saint Padre Pio who told him the
Blessed Virgin was appearing at Garabandal and he should go.
It seems, therefore, that notwithstanding the decisions of two
commissions accepted by the bishops of Santander, that there are
reasonable grounds for individual Catholics to find Garabandal
credible. The children themselves predicted that the message of
Garabandal would be approved with difficulty, but in sufficient time
to spread it. Perhaps this means that the "warning" (a
clearly supernatural event) must occur first for approval to be
given. Given the seriousness of the times we do well to heed the
message of conversion, whether proposed by Fátima or some other
source such as Garabandal, Medjugorje or another, without fear, that
is, with complete confidence in God's providence for us and the
world. The future will take care of itself if we remain spiritually
prepared for anything. This has always been the advice of the
saints, anyway.
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