On August 28, 1988, in Cuenca Ecuador the Blessed Virgin Mary first
appeared to a young woman named Patricia "Pachi" Talbot. Our Lady identified
herself, saying: "I am the Guardian of the Faith".
These apparitions continued until March 3, 1990. Patricia, twenty-seven today, was sixteen
years old when the Blessed Mother chose her as an instrument to spread her
messages to all Her people. Patricia was a model, a student, and
throughout the apparitions, she continued with her studies. She has since
married Andres Vega and they live in Cuenca. Here Patricia continues to
strive to fulfill the particular mission the Blessed Mother gave
her-service to the poor.
The apparitions began in Patricia's bedroom and continued in various
churches, chapels, and her home until June of 1989 when they were moved to
a Garden spot in El Cajas, high in the Andes Mountains. When moved to the
Garden Spot in El Cajas, the Mother of God's visits normally occurred on
Thursdays and Saturdays, often accompanied by phenomena such as bright
lights in the sky, the sun "dancing", and on more than one occasion
people's hands and faces sparkled with a golden glow, as if from glitter,
which could not be rubbed off. Yet here, as in Medjugorje and in other
reported apparition sites around the world, the importance was not the
supernatural phenomena, but the interior conversion of heart and the
abundant graces God was offering to His people, through His Most Holy Mother.
The messages of the Mother of God are very similar in content to those of
Medjugorje, i.e., consecration to the Immaculate Heart and Merciful Heart
of Jesus; the Rosary, the Scapular, penance and fasting with prayer, Holy Mass
and visits to the Blessed Sacrament; uniting all suffering and penances
with Jesus, and Peace…God's peace! With these as the platform of her
messages, Our Lady also gave Patricia words of warning, coming
catastrophes, both natural and man-made, possible world war, suffering in
our Church and in the world.
The importance here, as in all other reported
messages from the Mother of God is to live the Gospel, to be one with God,
united to the Passion of Jesus. We should not focus on the sequence of
events, which are to unfold in our world, but to prepare ourselves
diligently for the reign of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Patricia Talbot was not particularly religious, being a typical young
woman interested in how she looked. A very attractive young woman, she was
especially engaged in modeling, i.e., promoting her country by modeling
modern clothing made after the traditional clothing of the country of
Ecuador. This involved many shows throughout the world, which excited
Patricia who loved to travel.
The apparitions were not confined to Patricia's bedroom or her immediate
community. In October of 1988, Patricia traveled to Mexico City via Costa
Rica. Once in Mexico City Patricia and her friend Bernardita Jerves made a
visit to the Cathedral in Zocalo Square. Patricia separated from her group
and knelt to pray before Our Lady of Guadalupe. Later, having left the
church, Bernardita caught up with Patricia and found the latter crying.
Patricia had seen the Virgin again, only now even more beautifully, and the
Blessed Mother said to her:
"My little one, I am happy to see you. Don't
be afraid."
Our Lady tenderly held Patricia's hands in Her own. Again,
she spoke:
"Pray much for the peace of the world, because it is now that it
needs it more than ever. My little child, I am detaining the hand of my
Son. Change and convert. I love you very much. Adios, my little daughter."
Already Patricia began to experience dramatic changes within herself.
Normally she'd have spent her free time shopping for new clothes. Now she
spend her time in church, in prayer. Three days after seeing Our Lady in
the Cathedral, Patricia went to the church on Tepeyac Hill as Our Lady had
requested of her. Again the Blessed Mother appeared to her and said:
"My little daughter, you do not know how much it gladdens me that you are
here. Now, daughter now I will reveal to you my great secret, which
corresponds to the one, revealed to the other visionaries. This secret you
cannot write nor tell to anyone until I permit you."
Thus was given to Patricia Talbott the great secret and afterwards Our Lady continued:
"I put into your hands the great mission of the conversion and turn about of the
world. I am now holding back the hand of my Son with the message that I
have given you and if my children convert, the Heart of My Son will soften
and the intensity can be diminished or be lost forever; if not, the great
trial will come."
Patricia at this time discovered that miraculously she
had received the Sacred Host upon her tongue. With this great Love poured
into her and the Blessed Virgin's promise to be with her, Patricia had to
bear the knowledge of the great secret.
Next installment: Getting the Message out