Who Was Gabriel Gregorio García y Moreno y Morán de Buitrón?

According to Frank M. Rega, S.F.O. he was only The Greatest Catholic President that there ever was. I don't know if that is true, but his story does make for interesting reading. Esp since it seems that Rega's arguement for this is supported by 1 of the highest authorities there is, the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Apparently, his presidency of Ecuador was predicted by Mary (appearing under the title of Our Lady of Good Success) in an apparition to Venerable Mother Mariana de Jesus Torres a Conceptionist nun in Quito, Ecuador, on January 16, 1599. Before I continue I have to state that these apparitions have received the approval of the Catholic Church.

According to the article: "On that date, Our Lady revealed to Venerable Mother Mariana de Jesus Torres details of the life of a future president of the Republic of Ecuador – a country which did not even exist at the time. Our Lady of Good Success, whom the Archdiocese with the permission of Rome would crown Queen of Quito, spoke the following oracle:

“In the nineteenth century a truly Christian president will come, a man of character whom God our Lord will give the palm of martyrdom on the square adjoining this Convent of mine. He will consecrate the Republic to the Sacred Heart of my Most Holy Son, and this consecration will sustain the Catholic Religion in the years that will follow, which will be ill-fated ones for the Church. These years, during which the accursed sect of Masonry will take control of the civil government, will see a cruel persecution of all religious communities, and it will also strike out violently against this one of mine.""

This IS exactly what happenned.

At the time of the apparition (1599) Ecuador was still a part of the Spanish Empire. It did not gain independence until 1822. & it didn't become a republic until 1830. García Moreno was born in 1821.

García Moreno was only 37 when he 1st came to power. He was part of a 3 man junta. In 1861 he was appointed interim President by the Assembly. Later that year he was elected president for the 1st of 3 times.

After his 3rd victory in 1875 he wrote Pope Pius XI asking for his blessing: "I wish to obtain your blessing before that day, so that I may have the strength and light which I need so much in order to be unto the end a faithful son of our Redeemer, and a loyal and obedient servant of His Infallible Vicar. Now that the Masonic Lodges of the neighboring countries, instigated by Germany, are vomiting against me all sorts of atrocious insults and horrible calumnies, now that the Lodges are secretly arranging for my assassination, I have more need than ever of the divine protection so that I may live and die in defense of our holy religion and the beloved republic which I am called once more to rule." He was to be innaugurated for his 3rd term on 30 August 1875. But, on 6 August 1875 he was assasinated.

For the whole story of García Moreno's life & how he fulfilled Mary's prophecies I would recomend following the link to Rega's article. It makes for interesting reading. In this day & age when we have so many Catholics In Name Only (CINO) in politics it is refreshing to see someone who can do his job faithfully as an elected official without comprimising his faith.

OK, I will admit that a Catholic President of the USA might not get Congress to consecrate the country to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Then again, a faithful Catholic President might be able to get the US Bishops to do so. & he would fight for the unborn.

“My Saviour, Jesus Christ, give me greater love for Thee and profound humility, and teach me what I should do this day for Thy greater glory and service.” Prayer composed by García Moreno & found on his body after his assassination.

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Frank M. Rega, S.F.O. is the author of Padre Pio and America, and St. Francis of Assisi and the Conversion of the Muslims published by TAN Books.