The Great Tribulation

'The Woman' verses 'The Serpent'

The beginning of Mary's role of conquering the great serpent, Lucifer, and Her consequent entry into our modern age seems to have started with Our Lady's appearance at Rue de Bac, France, to Saint Catherine Laboure in 1830, and Her request for a special protective medal that would become the Miraculous Medal. In this apparition, Our Lady sets the tone for her messages over the next two centuries with dire warnings that would intensify as the years would pass. No matter the age, Our Lady has been imparting the same message: "Pray! Pray! Pray!" It is only through constant prayer, taken as a bouquet in loving motherly intercession, before the Throne of God, that the hearts of mankind will eventually be softened and all her little ones brought into accord with the Will of God. This study into the grace-filled mystical phenomena of Our Lady's appearances through the ages and the meaning of her messages will open eyes and hearts because she is the mother of us all and her words of wisdom and warnings must be taken seriously...very seriously!

The Apparition at Rue de Bac
(The Beginning)

The Modern Age of Marian Apparitions begins at Rue de Bac with the Miraculous Medal... A True Shield to protect against the onslaughts of the evil one...especially in these End Times.

The year was 1830 in Paris, France. The modern Age of Marian Apparitions began in a humble convent, to a humble novice named Catherine Laboure. She had entered the convent of the Daughters of Charity in 1830 against her father's wishes. But Catherine's faith was strong, and her vocation kept her feet on the path she had chosen at God's direction - giving her life in the service of Almighty God. From her early moments in the convent, Catherine related to her confessor that she had been privileged to see the heart of the Order's founder - Saint Vincent de Paul. She was also given prophetic messages concerning the two orders the saintly founder had begun. Shortly before this vision of the heart of her founder, in April and May of 1830 Jesus Christ appeared to Catherine at Mass during Holy Communion and also during Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. But on the night of July 18, 1830, Catherine was awakened from sleep by the voice of a child, crying "Sister, Sister Catherine, Sister Catherine!" Rubbing sleep from her eyes she beheld a boy of about five or six at the foot of her bed, dressed all in white. "The Blessed Virgin awaits you!", the child informed the postulant. The child, an angel, told Catherine not to be afraid, that it was half past eleven and everyone in the convent was alseep. "Come, I am waiting," was his order. This glowing child led Catherine through the long convent corridors, which were somehow strangely lit, and when reaching the chapel the the angel barely touched the heavy double doors and they swung open as if on springs. Within the chapel all the candles and torches were lit. The child led Catherine to the sanctuary, and bade her kneel beside the Chaplain's chair. Catherine later wrote that she heard the "rustling of a silken robe" coming from the side of the Sanctuary. The Mother of God came forward and bowed before the Tabernacle before seating herself in the Chaplain's chair. Catherine rushed forward and knelt before the Mother of God, her hands on her knees. Our Lady discussed many things with Catherine, reminding her of the need for constant prayer, and especially when her heart felt dark. Then Our Lady told Catherine that God wished to impart to her a very important mission. This mission, the Mother of God told Catherine, would be the cause of great suffering for her, but knowing that it was for the Glory of God, Catherine would surmount all difficulties. Our Lady then said to Catherine: "The times are very evil. Great misfortune will come to France: her throne will be overthrown. The whole world will be upset by evils of every kind...There will also be victims among the clergy of Paris. The archbishop himself will die. The cross will be insulted; blood will flow in the streets." After this message, the Mother of God "disappeared like a shadow" as Catherine later related. The small child, still glowing with a strange interior light, led Catherine back to her bed in the postulant's dormitory.

It was not until the following November on the 27th of the month which happened to be the First Sunday of Advent, did Catherine, now wearing the white veil of a novice, hear again the rustling of silk as she had in July. She raised her eyes from her meditation and beheld the Blessed Virgin on the right side of the main altar. Catherine saw that Our Lady was dressed in a white gown close to the neck and draped down over her shoulders and arms. A long veil was on her head, and only a little of her hair showed, which Catherine related was braided and held in place with lace. The Virgin raised her eyes to Heaven and it was then Catherine noted that she stood upon a green snake coiled over a white sphere. At her breast the Virgin held a golden ball surmounted by a cross. Suddenly the golden ball disappeared, and the Virgin lifted her hands toward Heaven. On each finger was beautiful, exquisite jewel, each a different size and color. Rays of intense light began to fall upon the white sphere beneath Mary's feet. Yet, not every stone emitted this light. The Queen of Heaven spoke to Catherine's heart, explaining that the "rays" were the graces which she bestowed upon the world. But from the jewels which exuded no rays, she allowed Catherine to understand that these were the graces which went unclaimed.

Then the vision changed once more. Now an oval frame appeared around the Virgin. Words materialized over the frame in French, which, translated into English, said: "O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee." Immediately the inner voice told the young nun: "Have a medal made after this pattern. Those who wear it blessed about their necks, and who confidently say this prayer, will receive great graces and will enjoy the special protection of the Mother of God." The frame then reversed and Catherine saw a large "M" surmounted by a cross, having a double bar under it. Beneath this "M", the holy Hearts of Jesus and Mary were placed, side by side, the first crowned with thorns, the other pierced by a sword. Around the whole were twelve stars.

But why, can we ask, does the heavenly Queen come to our world at this particular time? We know that She only does what the Divine Will wishes Her to do. If God deems it necessary to send the Mistress of heaven to our earth in these our times it must be for the benefit of His children. And the times which are upon us must be serious enough for God to send Our Lady. But we know enough to understand why She is here! For these are the Day's of the Great Battle. When God allows His adversary Lucifer, one last great attempt to destroy all of creation.

We are priveledged to witness this Great Battle, to witness Her strategy, and to be part of it!

The next occurence I shall relate, which involves a modern day Pope, confirms and gives witness to the start of the Great Battle.

Lucifer Approaches God

On October 13, 1884 Leo XIII had just completed a celebration of Mass in one of the Vatican's private chapels. Standing at the foot of the altar, he suddenly turned ashen and collapsed to the floor, apparently the victim of a stroke or heart attack. However, neither malady was the cause of his collapse. For he had just been given a vision of the future of the Church he loved so much. Pope Leo XIII had just finished Holy Mass when he heard a deep and guttural voice say: 'I can destroy your Church...to do so I need more time and more power.' Then the Pope heard a gentle voice asking: ' How much time? How much power?'.... The guttural voice responded: 'Seventy-five to one hundred years and a greater power over those who will give themselves to my service.' The gentle voice replied: 'You have the time. .. '. " Deeply troubled, Pope Leo XIII commanded a special prayer to be said to Saint Michael the Archangel at the end of every Mass. After a few minutes spent in what seemed like a coma, he revived and remarked to those around him, "Oh, what a horrible picture I was permitted to see!" What Leo XIII apparently saw, as described later by those who talked to him at the time of his vision, was a period of about one hundred years when the power of Satan would reach its zenith. That period was to be the twentieth century. Leo was so shaken by the spectre of the destruction of moral and spiritual values both inside and outside the Church, that he composed a prayer which was to be said at the end of each Mass celebrated anywhere in the Catholic Church. This prayer to Michael the Archangel was said continuously until the Mass was restructured in the Second Vatican council. The prayer is as follows:

"Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do you, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen."

LaSalette

(The Battle Intensifies)

In this "Age of Marian Apparitions" it is noteworthy to realize that since our Blessed Mother first appeared to Saint Catherine Laboure at Rue de Bac in Paris she, our Heavenly Mother, has appeared daily to someone, somewhere in the world everyday since that time. Why? Her messages, given from the early to mid 1800's up to the present time, are all a call back to God, an urgent plea to remove ourselves from a world filled with sin, and to pray, fast, convert our hearts, and be watchful for the fulfillment of Scripture is at hand. Even to this day her messages continue, only now to many Our Lady is saying that her time to be with us in this extraordinary way is coming to an end. From the most recent messages emanating from many reliable areas and the fact many messengers have announced their own messages have ceased, it would seem to indicate it is sooner than many of us can imagine.

But let us now return to 1846, to a mountain region in France called LaSalette. It is not as vital to reveal to the reader as much the background about the apparition as it is to convey the full message, the secrets imparted to the young visionaries Melanie Mathieu and a young boy named Maximim Giraud. The secrets imparted to a French peasant girl by a weeping, beautiful Lady who "appeared out of nowhere" high in the French Alps on an autumn afternoon in 1846, have had significant repercussions pertaining to our times in respect to the apostasy in Holy Mother Church, the chastisemnet, the antichrist, and more. All that Our Lady foretold to Melanie Mathieu regarding the secrets have come to pass, leading one to take very seriously those elements the Blessed Mother speaks concerning these times and how, today she is again weeping and imploring all her children to comply before it's too late. No matter the age, Our Lady has been imparting the same message: "Pray! Pray! Pray!" It is only through constant prayer, taken as a bouquet in loving, motherly intercession before the Throne of God, that the hearts of mankind will eventually be softened and all her little ones brought into accord with the Will of God.

The Secrets Revealed to Melanie Mathieu

The Secrets Revealed to Maximin Giraud

Garabandal

(Waiting to be Fulfilled)

San Sebastian de Garabandal is a small hamlet of some 80 humble dwellings in the Cantabrian Mountains of northwest Spain. From June 1, 1961 to November 13, 1965, a Lady appeared to four young girls of the village. During this four-year period, an extraordinary number, over 2,000, of apparitions occurred, some lasting a few hours. The four girls (Conchita Gonzales, Mari Loli Mazon, Jacinta Gonzalez, and Mari Cruz Gonzalez) were eleven and twelve years old at the time. While praying on the outskirts of the village, they heard a sound like thunder. Suddenly, there stood before them a dazzling angel. He said nothing and quickly disappeared. Pale and visibly shaken, the girls ran to the village church, and the apparition soon became known. Over the next twelve days, the angel appeared to them several more times, and on July 1, he spoke for the first time, announcing that on following day the "Blessed Virgin" would appear to them. News spread quickly, and numerous visitors joined the villagers to witness the event. At about six o'clock p.m., the children were headed for the spot, where they had been seeing the angel, when the Blessed Virgin appeared with an angel on each side. They recognized one of the angels as the one who had been appearing to them. Above the Virgin was a large eye that the children thought to be the eye of God. They spoke openly and familiarly with the Lady and said the rosary in her presence.

The Blessed Virgin began appearing almost every day and occasionally was accompanied by the Infant Jesus whom she carried in her arms. The four girls talked with the Blessed Virgin with great simplicity. They talked about their everyday life, about working in the fields, and about getting bronzed by the sun. Our Lady delighted in their talk. A charming and almost disarming spontaneity marked the apparitions. In her Diary, Conchita mentions that the angel and Our Lady often smiled at their childish remarks. She says several times that the Blessed Virgin kissed them. On a few occasions when Mary came with the Infant Jesus, she allowed them to take Him in their arms. They also did simple little things to amuse and please Him, such as hiding pebbles in their sleeves and in the tresses of their hair. Once, Our Lady took the crown of small golden stars from their head and permitted the children to hold it in their hands. Over the next year and a half, she would appear hundreds of times.

During the time prior to the vision the four girls would succumb to a spell of ecstasy. Walking backwards with their heads leaning back to the shoulders they would look to the heavens arriving at the same destination though each girl was at a different location. It is interesting to note that the arrival of the children to the same destination was at the exact same time. Also worth noting; while walking backwards the girls would never stumble but simply step over anything in their way. Many say having witnessed the girls in the ecstasy first hand was all the proof needed to believe.
The end result of scientific evaluation revealed no rational humanistic explanation. All the blows, pin pricks, etc. could not explain how the children could detect a priest even in lay or military garb, how they could read minds or do a number of other unusual tasks. Objects (such as rosaries) presented to the Blessed Virgin by the children would emanate sweet odors, or become luminous. After the blessing of objects the visionaries while in ecstasy would return these items to the crowd of people. It is interesting to note that these objects were given to the children by people they did not know. One would think all these items strung over the arms of the children would quickly entangle. Not so! The four girls while walking backwards with their eyes to the heavens would remove Blessed Objects from their arms with ease, returning these Objects to its rightful owner.

The first visible miracle was announced by the angel of Friday June 22, 1962. On the 29th, the coming miracle was announced publicly. Conchita states that a 15 day advance notice came Monday July 2, 1962. The visible miracle took place Wednesday July 18, 1962. The children had often receive Holy Communion by the Archangel Michael on days no priest were able to give it to them. On the day of the promised miracle Conchita while in ecstasy received communion. While onlookers watched the communion host became visibly clear on the tongue of Conchita. The miracle of the Visible Host is certainly an important event. It was in response to the children's repeated plea for a miracle that would prove the authenticity of the apparitions. It is estimated that some 2000 to 3000 people were in the small village on this day. There were several reliable witnessed who stood very close, some within inches of Conchita at the moment of the miracle. They affirm she first opened her mouth and put out her tongue. They certify that at that moment there was absolutely nothing on her tongue. Then suddenly the White Host appeared on her extended tongue remaining visible for about two minutes.

The Messages:

OCTOBER 18, 1961: "Many sacrifices must be made. Much penance must be done. We must be very good. If we do not do this, punishment awaits us. Already the cup is filling, and if we do not change we shall be punished."

JUNE 18, 1965: "As my message of October 18 has not been complied with and has not been made known to the world, I am advising you that this is the last one. Before, the cup was filling up. Now it is flowing over. Many cardinals, many bishops and many priests are on the road to perdition and are taking many souls with them. Less and less importance is being given to the Eucharist. You should turn the wrath of God away from yourselves by your efforts. If you ask His forgiveness with sincere hearts, He will pardon you. You are now receiving the last warnings. I love you very much and do not want your condemnation. Pray to us with sincerity and we will grant your requests. You should make more sacrifices. Think about the passion of Jesus."

The Prophecies:

The relatively few messages of Garabandal contain prophesies of supernatural events that will affect the entire world. In addition, the visionaries claimed that they were given a series of frightening warnings about the future. Each of the girls stated that Mary told them about a series of four extraordinary events which would reflect God's concern for the state to which humanity had fallen.

These events were reported to be:

A worldwide warning to be experienced by everyone on earth. Its purpose will be to call humanity to amend its behavior and return to God.

A great miracle that will occur in the late winter or early spring within one year after the warning.

Permanent signs that will remain for all time at a pine grove near Garabandal and other selected locations of Marian apparitions.

A terrible chastisement during which many will die. Other prophecies indicate that this chastisement will eliminate up to two-thirds of humanity. The chastisement depends upon the response of humanity to the warning and the miracle.

No one except Mari Loli Mazon LaFleur knows the year of the Warning. She does not know the month, day or hour. It will happen when the world is in the midst of a great turmoil, whether that is war, pestilence or natural disasters no one but God really knows. The great Warning will happen instantly. Everyone will first see it in the sky then feel it interiorly in their souls. She goes on to describe astronomical phenomena: "like two stars -- that crash and make a lot of noise, and a lot of light -- but they don't fall. It's not going to hurt us but we're going to see it and, in that moment, we're going to see our consciences."

The visionaries claim that "time will literally be suspended" as God gives every man and woman a dress rehearsal for the Final Judgment, so to speak. We will instantly see the state of our soul - how God actually sees us. All will see clearly the wrong they've done in their lifetime and the good they failed to do. It truly will be the "Hour of Great Mercy" for there is nothing more merciful than giving us a "second chance" to amend our lives. Our Lady has assured all that no physical harm will come from this experience, but that for many it will be extremely painful and some will prefer to die rather than facing up to their sins and past. If anyone would die it wouldn't be from the sheer shock of their sins. It is meant to correct the conscience of the world, a world gone astray in the flesh, a world that has forgotten God and shut out all that He represents. In addition to these events, Conchita has stated that she was told by the Blessed Virgin in 1962 that after the death of Pope John XXIII, "There would be two more popes after Pope Paul VI and that one of the popes would have a very short reign. After that would come the end times but not the end of the world." If Conchita has interpreted this vision of Mary correctly, then Pope John Paul II is the last of the popes before the end times begin.

The Great Miracle

The Warning is necessary to purify the world for the ensuing event - the great Miracle. Only Conchita Gonzalez Keena knows the year of this. Our Blessed Mother has revealed to her that it will happen 1) within a year of the Warning, 2) At 8:30 pm Garabandal time (that's between 1:30 and 4:30 pm depending on where one is in the United States at that time), 3) On a Thursday, the feast of a martyr of the Eucharist, 4) In either March, April or May between the 13th and 16th of the month, 5) During a great Ecclesiastical Event in the Church (Conchita confirms it is an event that has not happened in the last half of this century but will not necessarily be anything new or stupendous, only rare). Our Lady has promised this Miracle will occur in the pine grove above the village, the same pine grove planted by Conchita's grandfather a few generations ago, and that it will be seen by all believers and unbelievers. It will be the greatest miracle that Jesus will have performed for the world. There won't be the slightest doubt that it comes from God and that it is for the good of mankind." On September 14, 1965, Conchita said, "The sign that will remain forever at the pines is something we will be able to photograph, televise, and see, but not touch. It will be evident that it is not a thing of this world but from God." At another time, concerning the great miracle she added, "It would last about 15 minutes." On August 10, 1971, while talking to a group of Americans, she offered this revealing information: "It will take place on or between the eighth and sixteenth of March, April or May. It will not happen in February or June." Eight days in advance of the miracle, Conchita will give notice to the world about its coming. Prior to the eight-day notice, God will send a warning to the entire world to purify it for the great miracle. Therefore, the world will receive two advance notices: the warning and the eight-day notice.

If this doesn't convince the world and there is not a drastic conversion, then the full brunt of the chastisement will be thrust on the world.

The Great Chastisement

The Fourth prophecy depends on whether or not mankind has heeded the message of our lady... the vision of this "conditional punishment" brought terror and tears to the children... If it happens it will be more terrible than anything we can possibly imagine because it will be the result of the direct intervention of God. It will have nothing to do with wars, revolutions or the hardness of men's hearts. Conchita says, "If the punishment comes, and I believe it will come, it will come after the promised miracle."

And
after those
days, the moon will
loose it's light and the sun
will go dim, and the earth will be in darkness
for three days while it goes out of orbit from the impact from the Great Ball of Redemption!

It is at this time that Our Divine Savior intervenes and puts the earth and all of creation back in order.

"Behold, I Come Quickly"

The few apparitions of Our Lady that I have mentioned here are just a brief glimpse into the role and action of our heavenly Queen in our modern age. We see Her beginnings and we anticipate the fulfillment of Her messages and warnings to the world, in particular those of Garabandal!

It would be impossible to mention all Her apparitions and Her messages in this short space. I leave it to the reader and devoted follower of Mary to discover them on their own. Please visit my links on my home page to learn more about Her apparitions and what She wants Her children to know concerning Her Divine Son, the Fathers' plans, the enemies plans, and the secure way to travel through these end times. She wants to lead us into the New Era and the reign of Her Divine Son.

We mentioned over and over of Mary crushing the head of the serpent (Lucifer). This was pronounced by the Father Himself! But how?.....may we ask, will Mary accomplish it. What are Her Divine strategies? The true sons and daughters of Mary know the ways in which She is accomplishing Her victory, which is the victory of Christ Her Son. To them She has revealed Her strategy. To those who have responded to Her invitation, and who have concecrated themselves to her Immaculate Heart, She has instructed them in the Battle. For in this Battle, Mary doesn't fight alone. She is joined by the sons and daughters Her Son has given Her. They are Her Cohort! They are what scripture refers to as Her 'Heel'. ("She will crush your head, while you lie in wait for Her heel").

Mary's Fiat, at the annunciation of the angel Gabriel, brought forth the beloved Son of the Father, Our Dear Lord and Savior Jesus. She was responsible for His first coming into the world. Now in this, our time, She is again called to prepare the way for His second coming into the world, only this time in glory and in full majesty. Only this time Her Fiat will, and must be joined with our own fiat. For God desires His creatures to also give their free consent to His imminent return. He tells us to pray often, 'Come Lord Jesus, Come!'.

Let us read what one of our Lady's most devoted and noble sevants has said concerning true devotion to Her. Read here the words of the great...Saint Louis de Montfort.