(Verbatim transcript of the statement)
MARCELINA BARROSO EXPÓSITO
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
In the town of Codosera, diocese and province of Badajoz, on June 11, 1945, before me, Don Juan Antonio Galán y Galán, Priest and Cura Ecónomo of the Parish of Our Lady of Mercy, the only one in this town, and the witnesses Don Julio Barroso Palacín and Don Román Matador, industrialists of the same, appear:
MARCELINA BARROSO EXPÓSITO, daughter of Alonso and Agustina, ten years old, native and resident of this place, promising to tell the manifest truth:
That on the twenty-seventh of last May, while passing at three in the afternoon through the place called Chandavila, on the road to El Marco, two kilometers near this place and one from the Portuguese border, accompanied by another girl named Agustina González, she thought she saw something strange on one of the chestnut trees there. Upon returning from the aforementioned place of El Marco, she paid a little more attention, and judged it to be the image of the Most Holy Virgin of Sorrows or Solitude, since she clearly saw above her head a crown of resplendent stars and her black mantle covered with countless stars.
Impressed by this unexpected appearance that was only visible to the declarant and not to the other girl who accompanied her, they quickened their pace and did not say anything until the next day when the
informed his relatives.
That day twenty-eightIn May she was accompanied by a few members of her family, and both she and
Like the companions, they observed nothing regarding the indicated apparition.
On day twenty-nine, at the same time of three in the afternoon, and in the same place, accompanied by about twelve people, she clearly saw in the firmament the image of Jesus Crucified, an image that was also visible to other people, among them Teresa Silva Cardoso, widow and native of this one.
On his thirtieth day, along with seven or eight other people out of the fifty or seventy who were in that place, saw in space, and as if descending to earth, the image of the Lady.
On day thirty-one, surrounded by more than five hundred people, many of whom had come from Portugal, saw again and repeatedly, along with twelve or fifteen other people, while they prayed and sang to Our Lady the same representation as in previous days, with some of the spectators fainting.
Always attended by many people, it seemed to him that the image or representation he saw on June 1st placed its hand on his shoulder or head.
On June 2nd and 3rd, likewise and alongside many other people, including the national teacher of Esperanza (Portugal), they saw the image of the Virgin repeatedly, in identical forms as in the previous days.
On the fourth day of the current month, sensing by an inner impulse that the Most Holy Virgin would like to communicate to him the reason for those manifestations, he arrived with five other people at ten in the morning at the aforementioned place and shortly after he began to see a small cloud about a hundred paces away, touching the ground, which was gradually dissipating, the Most Holy Virgin appeared and told him in a voice only perceptible to her, that he should return in the afternoon at the usual time and go on his knees, after crossing himself, from a gorge or ravine to a chestnut tree that grows at a distance of about eighty paces.
This afternoon, then, in the presence of about eighty people of all ages and conditions, it was
exactly from the indicated place and through thorns, hedgehogs and weeds, which did not bother her in the least, because it seemed to her that the Virgin had placed a thick and fresh grass on the ground so that it would not get thorns or suffer the slightest discomfort. (Note) (The girl’s legs and knees were immediately observed by all the spectators who were moved by the previous scene, and they did not find the slightest trace of the numerous thorns and hedgehogs that she would necessarily have to tread on with her bare little legs and knees).
Upon reaching the tree, she saw that the chestnut tree had opened, and about fifty meters away, a beautiful chapel appeared, on whose altar was the image of the Blessed Virgin. She told her to cross herself, and then the Lady asked her if she wanted to go with her. She replied affirmatively, and saw that, in response, she smiled and kissed her forehead. Finally, she told the witness that it was her wish that a chapel be built for her on that site within three months.
This is what, on this date, MARCELINA BARROSO EXPÓSITO states before me and the witnesses mentioned above and in testimony of truth she signs this declaration with the witnesses.
Signed: Marcelina Barroso.
Julio Barroso.
Ramón Matador.
Juan Galán.
(Verbatim transcript of the statement)
AFRA BRÍGIDO BLANCO
In the town of La Codosera, diocese and province of Badajoz, on June 11, 1945, before me, Don Juan A. Galán y Galán, Priest and Cura Ecónomo of the Parish of Nuestra Señora de la Piedad, the only one in this town, and before the witnesses Don Julio Barroso Palacín and Don Román Matador, the young woman of sixteen years of age ÁFRICA BRIGIDO BLANCO, single, native and resident of this town, daughter of Leocadio and Cipriana, appears who under promise to tell the truth states:
That, driven by curiosity, she went at three in the afternoon on the thirtieth of last May to the place called Chandavila, together with many other people, and all she thought she saw between some clouds was what, in her opinion, resembled the exact shape of a chapel and, even more clearly, the prominent shape of a cross.
The thirty-first day was also at the same time, when there was a large gathering of people, and looking into space, she clearly saw a painting that soon disappeared to give way to an image of the Most Holy Virgin of Sorrows, who seemed to take a few steps towards her, losing consciousness at this moment due to such a strong impression.
This is what you have to state where necessary and, therefore, you sign this declaration with me and the witnesses.
Signed: Afra Brígido.
Julio Barroso.
Juan A. Galán.
Roman Matador.
