(For the Greater Glory of God) |
|
August 8-9, 1961 Fr. Luis Andreu sees the Blessed Virgin and the Miracle ! |
FATHER LUIS MARIA ANDREU SEES THE Father Luis Maria Andreu Rodmilans was born in 1925 in
Bilbao, Spain. He entered the Jesuit Scholasticate, at Ona, in 1942; he was
ordained to the priesthood in 1955, then he studied at Innsbruck, Rome, Geneva
and Paris. At the time of the Garabandal "events," the Andreu
family was made up of six brothers. The eldest, Jose Maria, was married and
lived in Madrid. Then came four priests, all of them Jesuits: Alejandro, a
missionary in Venezuela; Ramon, today a missionary in California in the South
American community; Luis; and finally, Marcelino, a missionary in Taiwan.
Rafael is the youngest. Father Luis came back to Garabandal for the third time, on
the 8th of August 1961, in order to observe once more the ecstasies. On that
day, the Pastor, Don Valentin, who had to go to Santander, entrusted him with
the keys of the church. The Jesuit Father celebrated his Mass in "an
admirable manner," said those who had taken part. This was to be his last
Mass. In the evening of this Tuesday, and for the third time, the
visionaries fell into ecstasy in the village church. When they came out of the
church, they began a long ecstatic walk that Fr. Luis followed, from the
beginning to the end, up to the Pines, where himself falling into ecstasy, the
priest suddenly pronounced loudly the word "Miracle!", four times.
His eyes fixed on heaven, he was granted to see the Blessed Virgin of Mount
Carmel, and also, by anticipation, the future great Miracle which is to take
place at San Sebatian de Garabandal. This was a unique event, and we know that
the Jesuit Father had penetrated into the visionaries' "range of
vision." They would later describe him in these few words: "He was
there, on his knees, beads of perspiration on his forehead, the Blessed Virgin
looking at him. We had the impression that she was telling him: 'Within a short
time, you will be near me'." The ecstasy over, Padre Luis came down from the Pines and,
with some of his friends, went down in a jeep to Cosio to await the arrival of
some of the other persons with whom he had come, and who had preferred to walk
back. It was about one in the morning. The Father was dozing in the vehicle
when Don Valentin, who was just coming back to the village, joined him.
Immediately, Luis spoke: "Don Valentin, what the children are saying is
true! But I ask you not to repeat what I have just told you. For the Church
will never be too prudent in such matters." At about four in the morning, while they were driving on the
road to Reinosa, Luis spoke to his friends: "I am filled with joy! What a
favor the Blessed Virgin has granted me! How lucky we are to have such a Mother
in heaven! We must not be afraid of the supernatural. The children have taught
us how to speak to the Blessed Virgin. For me, there can be no doubt! Why did
the Blessed Virgin choose us, yes, us? Today is the happiest day of my
life!" Then he became silent. There was a sigh. Fr. Luis' head fell
forward. He was dead! He was 36 years old. Father Luis' involvement with
Garabandal was far from being over. In fact, it was revealed to Conchita that
"on the day following the future great Miracle, his body will be found
just as he was, when he died!" [Incorrupt.] [Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, pages 84-87.] |