The death of Joey Lomangino -A blow to Garabandal believers?

The passing of Joey Lomangino -Well known promoter of Our Lady of Garabandal
-A possible unfulfilled prophesy, but also a sign for Garabandal detractors 

The passing of Joseph Lomangino on the anniversary of the first apparition and also the last public message of Garabandal
6/18/2014- Lindenhurst, New York. 
June 18, 2014 has marked the passing of Joseph "Joey" Lomangino, precisely 53 years ago to the day of the first alleged heavenly apparition (June 18, 1961) to four young girls in Garabandal, Spain. After the first initial appearance of St Michael the Archangel on this date, the Blessed Virgin Mary would allegedly appear on numerous occasions to the children until the final public message, once again on June 18, 1965. And for this reason, June 18th is the primary feast day of the events of Garabandal, since it marks the date of the first apparition to the children in 1961, and also that of the last public message of the Blessed Virgin Mary on that same date in 1965. And so it is that also on this very significant same date that Joey Lomangino died of a heart attack in his home at 10:30AM, lovingly surrounded by his family.

The timing of Joey's passing is not a coincidence
Firstly it should be pointed out that those who have faith in God and in His Providence know very well that God arranges the timing of important events, and those who have eyes to see and ears to hear should very well recognize the hand of God in the timing of Joey's passing on June 18--the anniversary of the first Garabandal apparition, and also the last public message of the Blessed Virgin Mary--for June 18 is truly a key date in the Garabandal apparition.

I remember when Pope John Paul II died on the evening of April 2, 2005 which that year was precisely the evening vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday--how so many people overlooked or did not recognize the remarkable sign in the timing of his death, for it was he who fought so hard for the recognition and acceptance of the message of Bl. Faustina and Divine Mercy Sunday--for it was beginning in the 1950's that Bl. Faustina's Diary with its writings on Divine Mercy were originally condemned by the Holy Office---but thanks to Pope John Paul II this original ruling was completely overturned. Thus, the timing of such events such as the death of Pope John Paul II and Joey Lomangino are signs for those with an open mind and heart, and such signs are not meant by God to be ignored or taken lightly.

A possible unfulfilled prophecy
Within hours of Joey's passing, already in comment forum here on this website and on other blogs and websites doubters of the alleged apparitions of Garabandal were quick to point out the apparent unfulfilled prophesy concerning Joey:

Letter to Joey Lomangino from Conchita Gonzalez (one of the visionaries of Garabandal)
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March 19, 1964 - St. Joseph’s Day
"My Dear Joseph,
Just two lines to tell you the message which the Blessed Virgin gave me for you today at the pines…she told me that the voice you heard was hers and that you shall see on the very day of the Miracle. She also told me that the House of Charity you will establish in New York will bring great glory to God."
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"You shall see on the day of the Miracle." --Here we come to the prophecy of the long awaited "new eyes" that were promised by the Blessed Virgin Mary to Conchita in a vision.

Now that Joey has passed from this life, many have jumped to the conclusion that this prophesy is false and unfulfilled. And at first appearance this writer would have to agree that such is the case. But, reading carefully the prediction of what the Lady in the vision said to Conchita---that is that Joey would see on the day of the Miracle---well, one has to recognize that there are other interpretations and possibilities than the most obvious and apparent one, and I will leave it to the reader to consider other such possibilities.

Keep in mind that this writer is not making excuses for what appears to be an unfulfilled prophesy, only that there are other possibilities and interpretations contained in such a message.

The failed prophecy that wasn't--The prophesy that St Padre Pio would see the Miracle of Garabandal before his death.
When the great St. Padre Pio died on September 23, 1968,  many who were familiar with the events of Garabandal were surprised because the 'Great Miracle' prophesied at Garabandal had not yet occurred, because of the well known prophecy by the Blessed Virgin to Conchita that Padre Pio would see the Great Miracle, however his death by all appearances at first SEEMINGLY negated this alleged prophesy.

When Conchita found out Padre Pio died in Sept. 1968, she (along with many others!) were surprised and dismayed. However, several weeks after his death as dusk settled at Garabandal, on October 16, 1968, a telegram from Lourdes arrived, carrying the name of a woman in Rome whom Conchita knew. The telegram urged her to depart immediately by car to receive something on behalf of Padre Pio.

Fr. Combe, a French parish priest from Chazay d'Azergues in the diocese of Lyon and a great promoter of the cause of Garabandal was in Garabandal that day. He and his collaborator B.L. Ellos took Conchita and Conchita's mother Aniceta in their car and set out that night for Lourdes. In the morning of October 17, Conchita received on behalf of Padre Pio a short written message, a large section of the veil that had covered Padre Pio's face after his death, and also one of Padre Pio's gloves. Delivering these gifts to her from Padre Pio was the Italian Capuchin, Fr. P. Bernardino Cennamo.

Conchita took advantage of this meeting to ask Fr. Cennamo:

"Why did the Virgin tell me that Padre Pio would see the Miracle?"
He replied: "Padre Pio saw it [the Miracle] before his death. He told us himself"

The lesson? Things are not always what they first appear to be, and we should not come to quick conclusions based on first appearances. 

Joey Lomangino was a devout and pious man who spent his life spreading devotion to God and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Along with founding the Workers of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Center in Lindenhurst, NY, for many years Joey tirelessly traveled about to countless places giving conferences on the message of Garabandal--a message of prayer and reparation. He will be fondly and devoutly remembered by the many who met this remarkable man over the years. Whether one is favorable towards Garabandal or not, everyone should appreciate and recognize the fact that Joey was a very kind and pious man who spent his life spreading devotion to God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and his great spiritual friend, Padre Pio.

As to the authenticity of the alleged apparitions at Garabandal, it is up to the Church to make the final decision. In the meantime, the faithful are free to come to their own personal judgement after careful discernment. 

-Eternal rest grant unto him O' Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him.
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