Have the Prophecies of Mary of Good Success of the Purification come true?

The remarkable story of Our Lady of Good Success presents us with one of the most extraordinary apparitions in the Catholic Church. Between 1594 and 1634, the Blessed Virgin appeared to Mother Mariana de Jesus Torres with prophecies that would unfold centuries later. What makes this devotion particularly significant is that the statue representing these apparitions was miraculously completed by Angels. The artist Francisco del Castillo himself confirmed this divine intervention when he stated, “This precious statue is not the work of my hands.”

Throughout the Catholic tradition, many Marian apparitions have graced the faithful, but the prophecies of Our Lady of Good Success stand among the most accurate and specific. During her appearances in Quito, Ecuador, the Blessed Virgin warned specifically about the 20th century, describing what she called a “total corruption of customs” and the rise of Masonic influence that would infiltrate the Church. The Virgin’s words proved prophetic when she foretold the martyrdom of a “truly Christian” president of Ecuador, Gabriel García Moreno, who was indeed assassinated in 1875, fulfilling her warning about Masonic conspiracies.

The first statue was consecrated on February 2, 1611, by Bishop Salvador de Ribera, marking the beginning of a devotion that would remain largely hidden until our own troubled times.

Let us consider the hidden story behind these apparitions, examine the prophecies that came true with striking accuracy, and understand why this centuries-old devotion remains remarkably relevant for our modern times. As Catholics, we believe in the prophetic voice of the Blessed Mother, who continues to guide her children through history’s darkest moments.

Who is Mother Mariana de Jesus?

The story of Mother Mariana de Jesus Torres begins in Spain, where she was born as Mariana Francisca to noble Spanish parents, Don Diego Torres and Dona Maria Berriochoa in 1563. What strikes me most about young Mariana is how she displayed exceptional spiritual depth even in her earliest years, setting her apart from other children of her era.

Her childhood and spiritual maturity

Born into a devout Catholic family of noble lineage, young Mariana Francisca was blessed with what contemporaries described as “rare angelical beauty.” Beyond her physical appearance, however, it was her spiritual disposition that truly distinguished her. By the tender age of six, she demonstrated an unusual devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, before whom she would kneel in prayer for hours.

The spiritual maturity of this young soul impressed her confessor so deeply that he permitted her to receive First Holy Communion at just nine years of age—considered extraordinarily early for that period. This momentous occasion became even more significant when, upon receiving the Eucharist, she fell into a profound mystical state. During this divine encounter, she experienced her first vision: Christ appeared to her as a boy of similar age, placing a beautiful ring on her finger and claiming her as His own. The Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph reportedly witnessed this mystical “engagement,” standing as sponsors to this divine arrangement.

Throughout her childhood, Mariana continued to experience an active mystical life. These early spiritual favors fostered in her a deep understanding of religious matters that far exceeded her years. Moreover, in this same vision, the Blessed Virgin showed Mariana that she was destined to belong to the Order of the Immaculate Conception—a religious order recently founded by Saint Beatrix da Silva, a Portuguese noblewoman.

The call to religious life and journey to Quito

The pivotal moment in Mariana’s young life came shortly after these mystical experiences. As she received Holy Communion on another occasion, Christ appeared to her again, revealing that she must leave her father’s house to “embrace His cross in a far-off land.” Soon afterward, the meaning of this message became clear when she was invited to join an expedition to found a convent in the New World.

To understand the background of this invitation, we must look at events twenty years after the founding of San Francisco de Quito in 1534. Several influential Spanish ladies from the colony had petitioned King Philip II of Spain to establish the first convent of Third Order Franciscans of the Immaculate Conception in the New World. The king granted this request and assembled a group of founding sisters under the leadership of Mother Maria de Jesus Taboada, who was Mariana’s aunt.

Recognizing her niece’s extraordinary spiritual gifts, Mother Maria recruited the young Mariana to join the founding group, despite her being only 13 years old. This decision was supported by the evident signs of Mariana’s genuine vocation “to follow the voice of her Beloved.”

The decision to leave her parents and homeland wasn’t easy for the young girl. Nevertheless, she accepted this sacrifice wholeheartedly, understanding it as God’s will. Consequently, she joined her aunt and the other founding sisters on their arduous journey across the Atlantic.

After an exceptionally challenging voyage by ship, the small group of religious sisters, including the 13-year-old Mariana, arrived in Quito, Ecuador on December 30, 1576. Two months after their arrival, the monastic foundation was formally established, and the nuns took possession of their convent. While the founding sisters made their religious profession immediately, Mariana entered the novitiate to begin her formal religious training.

Following two years of testing her obedience and conformity to religious life, she was permitted to make her profession, at which time she received the name that would become known to history: Mariana de Jesus. This name would become inseparable from the story and prophecies of Our Lady of Good Success that would follow in the coming decades.

Ultimately, Mother Maria Taboada was appointed to lead six sisters of “great merit and solid virtue”. Among them were Mothers Francisca of the Angels, Anne of the Conception, Lucy of the Cross, Magdalen of Saint John, Catherine of the Conception, and Maria of the Incarnation. Each sister was carefully selected for her spiritual maturity and capability to withstand the challenges of founding a religious house in unfamiliar territory.

Almost immediately, the new foundation began to attract vocations. Several young women from Quito requested admission to the convent, and conventual life quickly blossomed. This rapid growth testified to both the spiritual vitality of the foundation and the evident holiness of its founding sisters.

Perhaps most remarkably, the bodies of the six foundresses have remained incorrupt through the centuries and can still be venerated today in the convent they established with such courage and faith. This extraordinary preservation stands as a physical testament to their sanctity and the divine favor bestowed upon their mission.

The Conceptionist Convent would soon become far more than just another religious house—it would become the sacred setting where the Blessed Virgin Mary would appear as Our Lady of Good Success, delivering prophecies that would extend far beyond the walls of the cloister into future centuries.

The First Apparition of Our Lady of Good Success

The dawn of February 2, 1594 marks a pivotal moment in Catholic history – the first supernatural encounter between Mother Mariana de Jesus Torres and the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title that would become renowned throughout the centuries: Our Lady of Good Success.

The Vision of February 2, 1594

What circumstances surrounded this first apparition? Mother Mariana was enduring tremendous hardships as her community struggled without proper financial support. The threat of separation from Franciscan spiritual direction weighed heavily upon her shoulders, creating what her contemporaries described as “a real martyrdom” for this holy soul.

In the early morning hours of February 2, Mother Mariana knelt alone in the upper choir of the convent, engaged in fervent prayer. Prostrate with her forehead touching the floor in profound humility, she implored divine assistance for her troubled community and mercy for a sinful world. Suddenly, her solitude was interrupted by a melodious voice calling her name.

Rising quickly from her position of prayer, Mother Mariana beheld an astonishing sight: a woman of incomparable beauty surrounded by celestial light. The Blessed Virgin carried the Child Jesus in her left arm and, remarkably, held a crosier made of the purest gold in her right hand. This was no ordinary pastoral staff—it was adorned with precious stones “such as are not to be found on this earth.”

Understandably amazed at this heavenly vision, Mother Mariana inquired with the simplicity of a true religious soul, “Who art thou, beautiful lady, and what dost thou wish? Dost thou not know that I am but a poor nun, filled with love for God, true, but suffering and tried to the utmost?”

The Virgin’s Message and Mission

The response established a devotion that continues to this day: “I am Mary of Good Success, the Queen of Heaven and Earth,” the apparition replied. “Precisely because you are a religious soul full of love for God and for His Mother who now speaks to you, I have come from heaven to soothe your burdened heart.”

Throughout this extraordinary encounter, Our Lady explained the symbolic meaning behind the golden crosier she carried. This staff, typically carried by abbesses or bishops, represented her desire to personally govern the convent as its Abbess and Mother. This detail would later distinguish the statue of Our Lady of Good Success from other Marian images.

The Virgin’s message contained both warnings and consolation. She revealed that Satan would attempt to destroy the convent through the actions of unfaithful religious within its walls. Yet simultaneously, she offered this reassurance: “He will not attain his goal because I am the Queen of Victories and the Mother of Good Success. Under this invocation I wish, in the centuries to come, to perform miracles for the preservation of this, my convent, and its inhabitants.”

One particularly profound prophecy concerned the presence of faithful souls throughout history: “Until the end of the world I will have holy daughters, heroic souls, in the obscure life of their convent, who, suffering persecutions and slanders from within their own community, will be much loved by God and His Mother.”

The culmination of this first apparition came when the Blessed Virgin placed the Infant Jesus into Mother Mariana’s arms. As she embraced the Divine Child against her heart, Mother Mariana received supernatural strength to bear all coming trials for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

This first apparition established a divine relationship between Heaven and the Conceptionist Convent that would deepen over the next forty years. Our Lady of Good Success continued to appear to Mother Mariana until 1634, revealing prophecies that would unfold across the centuries with remarkable precision.

Throughout the Scriptures and Church history, we see how God prepares His chosen souls through suffering before entrusting them with extraordinary missions. Mother Mariana’s trials prepared her to receive these heavenly communications that would enlighten not only her own time but especially our troubled modern era.

What were the Prophecies Given to Mother Mariana?

The apparitions of Our Lady of Good Success reveal some of the most precise and detailed prophecies in the history of the Catholic Church. What makes these revelations particularly extraordinary is their specific focus on events that would occur centuries later. As we study these prophecies, we find a sobering picture of spiritual decline that would manifest primarily in the 20th century.

Warnings about the 20th century

In 1582, Mother Mariana received a profound vision that would be the first of many warnings. She beheld the tabernacle door open with Christ emerging in His suffering at Calvary, while the Blessed Virgin wept tears of pearls. When Mother Mariana asked if she was to blame, Our Lady replied with words that would echo through centuries: “No; not you, but the criminal world of the twentieth century.”

This revelation came more than 300 years before the time period it described. The Blessed Mother told Mother Mariana that “shortly after the middle of the 20th century,” a “spiritual catastrophe” would unfold throughout the world. She described how Satan would “reign almost completely by means of the Masonic sects,” which would particularly target innocent children to perpetuate general corruption.

The prophecies described a future where:

• “Innocence would scarcely be found in children”
• “Modesty in women” would largely disappear
• “Widespread moral corruption” would include “profanation of the sacrament of matrimony”
• “Depraved priests and their sins would cause suffering for good priests”

Throughout the Scriptures and Church history, we find that God often warns His people through prophetic voices. Our Lady of Good Success stands in this tradition, bringing heavenly warnings about times of darkness to come.

What does it mean when the Mother of God speaks of divine punishment?

In one of the most striking visions, Mother Mariana witnessed three swords suspended over the head of Christ. The Father’s voice identified these swords as divine punishment for the 20th century and beyond, with these grave declarations:

1. “I will punish heresy”
2. “I will punish blasphemy”
3. “I will punish impurity”

Most remarkable in this vision was what followed. The Blessed Virgin asked Mother Mariana to suffer for the sins of the 20th century – a time centuries in the future! When she consented to this sacrificial offering, the three swords plunged into her, causing her death. Upon standing before the Judgment Seat of Christ, she was given a choice: remain in heaven or return to earth to suffer for future sins. Her selfless decision to return resulted in her miraculous resurrection.

This shows the extent that God has extended His hand of Mercy, allowing souls to make reparation across time itself.

The extinguishing of the sanctuary lamp

On February 2, 1634—exactly 40 years after Our Lady’s first appearance—Mother Mariana witnessed a profoundly symbolic event. While praying in the upper choir loft before the Blessed Sacrament at three in the morning, she noticed the sanctuary lamp had inexplicably gone out, leaving her in complete darkness.

As she prepared to relight it, the Blessed Virgin suddenly appeared and explained that this extinguished lamp symbolized what would happen in the Church in future centuries. Five factors would extinguish “the precious light of faith”:

• The spread of heresies at the end of the 19th and throughout the 20th century
• The loss of religious vocations and turmoil within convents
• The spirit of impurity saturating society “like a filthy sea”
• Priests becoming careless, attached to wealth, and neglecting their sacred duties
• The indifference of wealthy individuals who would fail to support the Church during its tribulations

Beyond these general warnings, Our Lady prophesied specific attacks on all seven sacraments. The Sacrament of Confession would be attacked “by means of people in positions of authority.” The Eucharist would suffer “unspeakable profanation,” with consecrated hosts stolen from churches. Matrimony would be “thoroughly attacked and profaned,” with “iniquitous laws” promoting sinful relationships.

The quote from these prophecies about the “unspeakable profanation” of the Eucharist implies a time when reverence for the Blessed Sacrament would diminish greatly. As the Church teaches, the Eucharist is the “source and summit” of our faith, making attacks on this sacrament particularly grievous.

How did the Miraculous Statute of Our Lady of Good Success come about?

The Blessed Virgin herself commissioned this statue during one of her appearances to Mother Mariana. With motherly tenderness, she instructed: “It is the wish of my Most Holy Son that you command a statue of me to be made, just as you see me now.” Her specific direction was that the statue should be placed “at the head of my Convent” where she would “take possession of that which belongs to me.”

What distinguishes this holy image from many other Marian representations are the precise details Our Lady provided for her depiction:

1. She was to hold the Child Jesus in her left arm
2. In her right hand, she would hold the crosier and the keys to the cloister
3. These items would symbolize her role as the true Abbess of the convent

The Blessed Virgin explained this arrangement would serve as “proof that the government of the spouses of my Most Holy Son has been entrusted to me.” The name she requested for this devotion was “Mary of Good Success of the Purification, or Candlemas,” with the feast day established on February 2nd.

Francisco del Castillo and the Miraculous Completion

As we read in the historical accounts, Mother Mariana approached Francisco del Castillo, whom the Virgin herself had selected for this sacred task. This sculptor was chosen not merely for his artistic skill but primarily for his virtuous character, being described as “a man of God” who “possessed a delicate conscience and scrupulously keeps the Commandments.”

Mother Mariana faced an immediate difficulty that many of us would understand – how could any human possibly describe the Blessed Virgin’s heavenly beauty? In her humility, she confessed, “Beautiful Lady and beloved Mother of my soul, this insignificant ant cannot describe to any artist your magnificent features.”

Our Lady resolved this problem through a miraculous means. She instructed Mother Mariana to measure her height using the cord from her Franciscan habit. Since Mother Mariana could not reach the Virgin’s head, Our Lady held one end of the cord to her forehead while the nun placed the other end at her right foot. Though the cord was naturally too short for such a measurement, it “stretched miraculously, as if it were elastic,” reaching Mary’s exact height.

As the statue neared completion, del Castillo traveled to Europe to obtain the finest paints. During his absence, Heaven itself intervened in perhaps the most extraordinary aspect of this story. On January 16, 1611, at 3:00 AM, the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, accompanied by St. Francis, appeared in the choir loft and miraculously completed the statue. The image then became animated as the Virgin Mary herself entered into it and began singing the Magnificat.

Upon Francisco del Castillo’s return, he immediately recognized the divine craftsmanship that had perfected his work. His testimony stands through the centuries: “This magnificent statue is not my work! This is an angelic work, for a work such as this could not be made on this earth by any human hands.”

Symbolism of the Crosier and Keys

The crosier and keys held by the statue carry profound theological significance within Catholic tradition. The golden crosier symbolizes Our Lady’s authority as the superior of the convent. Unlike a bishop’s crosier which points outward (signifying jurisdiction over the external world), the abbess’s crosier points inward, representing her authority within the monastery.

Similarly, the keys represent Our Lady’s role as defender and protector of the convent “in the centuries to come.” Thus, her statue was appropriately placed above the Abbess’s chair in the upper choir, signifying that the Virgin herself would “rule over her convent” and “effectively govern” it through all trials.

This symbolism was formally recognized when Bishop Salvador de Ribera blessed the miraculous statue on February 2, 1611, and ceremoniously placed the keys and crosier in its hand, declaring with profound reverence: “My Lady, I deliver to Thee the government of this Convent and of my flock in general.”

I highly recommend meditating on these symbols, for they reveal Our Lady’s continuing role in guiding and protecting the Church through even the darkest periods of history. The statue itself stands as a testament to Heaven’s intervention in human affairs – a consoling reminder that God never abandons His faithful.

Have the Prophecies That Come True?

What makes the devotion to Our Lady of Good Success truly remarkable is the precise fulfillment of prophecies given to Mother Mariana centuries before they materialized. These supernatural predictions have been fulfilled with stunning accuracy, validating the authenticity of the Blessed Virgin’s appearances in Quito.

1) The Martyrdom of President Gabriel Garcia Moreno

Among the most striking fulfilled prophecies was revealed on January 16, 1599, when the Blessed Virgin told Mother Mariana: “In the nineteenth century a truly Christian president will come, a man of character, to whom our Lord God will give the palm of martyrdom in the plaza on which this convent is located”. She further foretold that this president would consecrate Ecuador to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

This prophecy was realized through Gabriel Garcia Moreno, who officially consecrated Ecuador to the Sacred Heart through a legislative decree on October 8, 1873. This consecration marked Ecuador as the first nation in history to be so dedicated. Then, on August 6, 1875—exactly as Our Lady had predicted—Garcia Moreno was assassinated by Masonic conspirators. As we read in historical accounts, he lay dying with one hand completely severed and his arm badly wounded from machete blows, yet his final defiant words echoed across the plaza: “Dios no muere!” (“God does not die!”).

2) Proclamation of the Immaculate Conception

The Blessed Mother’s prophecies concerning the dogmatic definition of the Immaculate Conception likewise came to fruition. On December 8, 1854, Pope Pius IX solemnly proclaimed this dogma. According to witnesses, though it was a cloudy day, a mysterious ray of sunlight suddenly illuminated the Pope’s face during the proclamation—a sign widely interpreted as divine confirmation.

Four years later, the Blessed Virgin herself appeared to Saint Bernadette at Lourdes and declared: “I AM THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION”. This shows how Heaven confirmed the Church’s infallible teaching and connects to the ancient promise in Genesis that Mary would “crush the head of the serpent”.

3) Crisis in the Church and Loss of Vocations

The prophesied crisis in the Church has manifested primarily through a dramatic decline in vocations. The statistics reveal a troubling pattern: diocesan priests in America decreased from 37,272 in 1970 to 24,110 in 2022. During this same period, the percentage of retired priests rose from 14% in 1980 to 34% in 2020.

This shortage extends beyond priesthood—weekly Mass attendance has plummeted from 54% in 1970 to merely 17% in 2022, reflecting what Our Lady foretold as a “great apostasy.” The crisis encompasses marriage vocations as well, creating what one source calls a comprehensive “vocation crisis” throughout the Church.

These fulfilled prophecies help us understand why devotion to Our Lady of Good Success has grown significantly in recent decades. As Catholics, we are witnessing her centuries-old warnings becoming reality before our eyes. This implies that her promises of ultimate triumph will likewise be fulfilled, giving hope to the faithful during these troubled times.

What is the relevance of the devotion today?

The devotion to Our Lady of Good Success stands as an extraordinary testament to divine foresight. Unlike many Marian apparitions that gained immediate widespread recognition, this devotion remained relatively hidden for centuries—precisely as the Blessed Virgin herself had foretold.

Why the devotion spread in the 20th century?

What makes this devotion particularly remarkable is that Our Lady herself told Mother Mariana that knowledge of these apparitions would begin to spread only in the 20th century. This deliberate timing wasn’t arbitrary but divinely ordained. According to her revelations, she had “reserved this devotion for these times because the Church would be so embattled and suffering that only the divine power and love of the Blessed Virgin would sustain the faithful”.

This shows the extent of God’s providence. By remaining hidden from worldwide attention until the prophecies began manifesting, the devotion was divinely protected from those who might have obscured or altered the messages, as some suggest happened with other Marian communications. The timing of this revelation is itself a miracle of divine protection.

How the statue is venerated today?

The faithful now have access to the miraculous statue on three special occasions throughout the year, when it is removed from its place in the cloistered upper choir and placed above the main altar of the Convent Church. These sacred times include: the nine-day novena from January 24 to February 2 (commemorating the Feast of the Purification), during the month of May, and throughout October.

Perhaps the most beautiful tradition associated with this devotion occurs on February 2nd, when the faithful gather for a special pre-dawn procession known as the “Rosary of the Dawn.” This practice, once nearly lost to history, has experienced a remarkable revival in our times, drawing approximately 6,000 participants in recent years. During these joyful celebrations, the faithful shower the statue with rose petals amidst a festive atmosphere complete with brass bands and fireworks.

The message for our times

As Catholics, we believe that Our Lady’s message offers extraordinary hope for our troubled era. Even as we witness the unfolding of her prophesied “corruption of customs” and “crisis of faith” materializing around us, the Blessed Virgin promised ultimate victory: “When everything will seem lost and paralyzed, that will be the happy beginning of the complete restoration”.

This promise aligns perfectly with her later message at Fatima that “in the end, My Immaculate Heart will triumph”. Throughout all her apparitions, the Mother of God consistently guides us toward the same spiritual remedies—prayer, penance, and steadfast faithfulness amid trials. These spiritual weapons will ultimately prevail against what often appears to be insurmountable darkness.

Our Lady of Good Success promised a Holy Prelate who will come, however we must pray for his coming. A providential restoration of the Church and state.

The growing devotion to Our Lady of Good Success in our time is not coincidental but providential. As the prophesied tribulations increase, so too does Heaven’s assistance through this powerful devotion that waited centuries to be fully revealed.

Conclusion

The extraordinary story of Our Lady of Good Success stands as one of the most remarkable testimonies in Catholic history. Throughout these pages, we have witnessed prophecies delivered to a humble nun over four centuries ago manifesting with astonishing precision in our modern era. Mother Mariana’s selfless willingness to suffer for future generations exemplifies the timeless Catholic understanding that redemptive suffering united with Christ bears spiritual fruit across the centuries.

What provides the most compelling evidence for the authenticity of these apparitions is their specific fulfillment—from the martyrdom of President Garcia Moreno in the very plaza foretold, to the widespread crisis of faith that now envelops much of the Church. The precise details and timing of these prophecies defy mere coincidence or human foresight.

Despite the sobering nature of many prophecies, hope remains the central message of Our Lady of Good Success. She explicitly promised that when circumstances “seem lost and paralyzed,” this darkness will actually mark “the happy beginning of complete restoration.” This mirrors her later assurance at Fatima that her Immaculate Heart would ultimately triumph over evil.

I find it particularly significant that this devotion remained largely hidden until our present troubled times. This delayed revelation demonstrates divine foresight. God preserved these prophecies specifically for our era, ensuring they would emerge precisely when most needed. As Catholics, we can draw strength knowing that Heaven foresaw our struggles centuries ago and has already prepared the path to victory.

Let us consider Mother Mariana’s example—embracing prayer, penance, and fidelity as our weapons against spiritual darkness. Though challenges may intensify, we hold the unshakable promise that after this purification, the Church will shine with renewed splendor. The Blessed Virgin assures us that though the battle belongs to each generation, the ultimate victory belongs to God.

I highly recommend deepening your devotion to Our Lady of Good Success, especially in these times when her prophecies continue to unfold before our eyes. Through her intercession, may we remain steadfast in faith, regardless of the trials we face in our increasingly troubled world.