THE PINES - SACRED GROUND

A look at some previously unpublished information about the Pines in Garabandal

In a German book on Garabandal called Garabandal-Der Zeigefinger Gottes (Garabandal-The Finger of God), there is some previously unpublished information about the Pines in Garabandal. Since this information is new, we asked the author, Albrecht Weber, to give his sources.

On page 136 of the book, the following is stated regarding the great Miracle to come:

"It will be the greatest miracle that Jesus will have ever performed for mankind and will be the last one till the end of the times," the Blessed Virgin told the visionaries. It will take place at the pines (los pinos) on a Thursday and at the same time as the first apparition. Afterwards there will remain a permanent public sign; it will be incorruptible and will undoubtedly remind everyone of the Miracle. "It will not be made of material and we will not be able to touch it but it will be visible and one will be able to photograph it," Conchita explained. Mary called this place "sacred, because God loves it very much," she said. In this connection it is easier to understand what Mary meant by her words.

This statement attributed to the Virgin that the area of the Pines was "sacred because God loves it very much," called for further reference and here is the author's reply:

In the evening of November 13, 1965, [the day of the last apparition at Garabandal] was the first time that my mother and I, spoke about it with Conchita and her mother Aniceta, in the presence of Eloise Deguia.

«At the beginning of October 1981, Dr. [Ricardo] Puncernau, his daughter, Mrs. Schoett, my mother, three women from Bilbao. and other persons were gathered in the Mesón Serafin [the inn in Garabandal which at the time was run by Conchita's oldest brother, Serafin Gonzalez, now deceased, and his wife, Paquita] for a cheese fondue meal. We spoke about the pines and the fact that it was there that the miracle would take place. On this day Dr. Puncernau had gone up to the pines to survey the area and mentioned that Mary had referred to the place as "sacred" because God loved it very much. My mother and I could confirm this as Conchita had already told us the same thing in 1965. Serafin also immediately confirmed it. Unfortunately, I did not note at that time the date on which Conchita, Mari Loli and Jacinta were given this information by the Blessed Virgin. We then spoke about it with Serafin on our trip to Fatima. [Serafin accompanied Albrecht Weber and his wife, Anna, to Fatima in July, 2000, one month before he died]. He said. "[The Virgin] had told them this when they asked her about the church to be built up at the pines.»

More information is provided in a caption under a photo on page 255 (also pictured on the facing page):

«In his younger years when he was the mayor of the village, grandfather Serafin had the idea that every child, in commemoration of his or her First Holy Communion. would plant a pine tree on the heights above the village as a symbol for his or her life. Of those planted, nine survived and grew into massive trees, at the place to which the Virgin Mary referred saying: "God loves this place very much. This place is sacred." Today they are called "Los Pinos" and one awaits the great miracle announced by the visionary children. "It will be the greatest miracle that my Son, Jesus, will have ever performed for mankind. It will also be the last one before the end," she had said.»

Herewith is the author's response to the request for the source of the above information.

«Pepe Diez [Garabandal village mason] told me, that grandfather Serafin had had the idea of planting the trees. Aniceta confirmed this and only last year Serafin also confirmed it, on our trip to Fatima. He also again confirmed that Mary (Our Lady) had said "...this place is sacred. God loves this place very much." He explained that the children were told this when they asked Mary whether a Church should be built at the pines. Mary answered: "No. This place is too sacred. God loves this place very much. I wish that a small white chapel be built, in honor of St. Michael. The big Church should be built below, in the valley."»

I spoke to Bishop Rudolf Graber about the statement: "No. This place is too sacred." He is a professor of mystical theology and a very Marian Bishop. He told me: "This is very plausible because a church is not only a place for honoring God but also a place where human vanity is put on display- just think of Church dignitaries, priests like myself who (might) think they are superior to every- one. If a permanent sign is to be placed there, then there is no room for a human edifice, for it will be God Himself Who will leave a monument for humanity." This convinced me and is a good explanation for the otherwise hard to understand words of Mary.

From Garabandal Journal US