Testimonies On

Mary Mediatrix of All Grace

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

CASE IN POINT:
Alleged Marian Apparition in Lipa Carmel (1948)

AIM OF THE PAPER

EVENTS AND MESSAGES

The Ladys Message in her first visit in August 18, 1948

The first petals

Formal Phase of the Ladys Manifestation

ALL GRACES OR ALL GRACE?

10

THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION

10

CONTROVERSIES

15

CONCLUSION

21

BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDIX
Original Account of The Events at Lipa Carmel, 1948
by Mother Mary Cecilia of Jesus, O.C.D.

25

The Verdict

37

Decree from the Diocese of Lipa

38

Letter of Cardinal Ottaviani concerning the status of Mother Cecilia

And Mother Mary Anne addressed to the Most Reverend Fr. Anastacio,
Prior General of the Discalced Carmelites

39

Testimony of Fr. Lorenzo Ma. Guerrero, SJ

40

Pastoral Letter from Archbishop Ramon Arguelles. DD, STL

41

Healings

48

INTRODUCTION

One of the things that I have learned from our class in the Introduction to the
Mystery of Faith is for religious educators to catechize the people by considering
their present context, conditions, questions and concerns. This methodology is very
evident in the way the Catechism for Filipino Catholics (CFC) is presented. It deals
with what is relevant to the people. The present situation of the people must be
considered in order to be effective in catechizing. Knowing the peoples culture and
interest is also very beneficial in communicating the Gospel message. In the case of
Filipinos, one effective means of communicating the Gospel truth is thru their
devotion to Mary.

It is a known fact that Filipinos have a strong devotion and love for Mary, Mother
of Jesus Christ. As stated in CFC, the outstanding characteristic of the Church in the
Philippines is to be a pueblo amante de Maria --- a people in love with Mary.
Filipinos devotion to the Blessed Mother contributed a lot in keeping them in the
Catholic faith. I personally witnessed this fact when I was assigned to minister to
the people living in far flung areas. Attending mass was practically impossible for
them. The only means that sustain them from their spiritual hunger is their devotion
to Mary.

Mary has been and remains the central inspiring force in bringing about a deeper
evangelization of the masses of our people, the safeguard for the preservation of

our Catholic Faith, and the principle of deeper and fuller evangelization (AMB 72-73).

It is important to understand that Marys role in the Church is always to direct

people to her Son. She points to her Son. Veneration of Mary always has a
Christocentric dimension. Somehow, their role in salvation history is intertwined.
The CFC pointed it out very well: The typical Filipino approach to Christ,
therefore, is with and through Mary. Devotion to Mary has always been intimately
intertwined with Christ.

This special attachment and attraction to Marian cults or deep hunger

for spirituality added with social concerns such as poverty and injustice
will make any community susceptible in accepting or being fascinated
with supernatural phenomena. From this background we can understand
where the Filipinos are coming from for having such high regard with
supernatural phenomenon. Whether the experience is authentic or not,
the obvious interest of the Filipino people in these events is undeniable.
It is the role of the Magisterium to help these people in discerning
whether the phenomenon is not contradictory to the deposit of faith and
also a question of positive value. Our role now as theologians and as
religious educators is to properly guide these people and catechize them
regarding the teachings of the Church concerning these matters. Not a
single iota of our Catholic doctrine should be contradicted by these
phenomena. I strongly believe that studying these phenomena are
closely related to our course in the Introduction to the Mystery of Faith
5

because as religious educators, it is our duty to safeguard any erroneous

doctrines

that

might

mislead

the

faithful.

These

supernatural

phenomena that people are so fascinated with are serious threats if the
people are not guided accordingly. On the other hand, if no doctrine is
violated, especially if it affirms the revealed truth of Christ, then we can
even employ it in our advantage to strengthen the faith of the faithful.
One element in the desired reform in Marian piety is a prudent, balanced attitude
toward real or
alleged apparitions of Our Lady, as overcoming an excessive credulity. This
balance would
involve, first stressing the uniqueness of the Gospel over all alleged messages. We
now await
no further new public revelation before the glorious coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
(cf. 1 Tim 6:14;
Tit 2:13; DV 4).

With such a dramatic increase in the number of reported visions and

locutions, anyone interested in exploring and understanding this
phenomena needs to proceed with due caution. One that draws public
interest lies in Marian Apparitions. Very timely now in the Philippines
is the appeal of quite a number of devotees of Mary to re-open the
investigation of the alleged Marian Apparition in Lipa that happened in
1948.
6

CASE IN POINT : ALLEGED MARIAN APPARITION IN LIPA CARMEL (1948)

Years ago, the Catholic Hierarchy of the Philippines investigated the strange
events that occurred at Lipa, and came to the official conclusion that there was in
them no evidence of the supernatural.

This one apparition will be of special interest to the Filipinos, for the mysterious
events that
occurred in 1948 within the cloisters of a Carmelite convent in the city of Lipa
brought notice
to the Philippines, and had thousands streaming from all over the country to the
convent grounds.
And marvelous stories spread of a lovely lady in white, of petals falling from the sky,
of a spinning
sun, a moving statue, miraculous cures and conversions.

As pilgrims flock to the said Discalced Carmelite Convent and numerous

claims of supernatural events were testified by witnesses and devotees, especially by
the seer, Sr. Teresita Teresing Castillo and by Mo. Mary Cecilia of Jesus, OCD,
soon it was put to an end, for the Philippine Catholic Church declared in 1951 that
the alleged apparitions had no supernatural origin. In the long, stunned and painful

silence that followed this pronouncement, myth and much detraction have grown
thick around the events of 1948.

After the pronouncement in 1951, the documents and materials in Carmels possession
were ordered destroyed. These included the very valuable diaries of those involved.
And nothing can be found in
the archives o f the Arzobispados of Lipa and Manila, or in the nunciature. However,
three or four documents have unexpectedly surfaced, including an account written by
Mother Cecilia during the
time of the apparitions.

AIM OF THE PAPER

This paper will try to re-visit (review documented accounts given by primary
witnesses), to re-investigate (critically analyze the given limited resources available),
and to re-study (using the latest official Church Documents, Papal Encyclicals and
accounts from Church-Approved Apparitions) the said event that transpired in Lipa.
It intends to conclude at the end of the study either to re-affirm the decision made by
the commission years back in 1951 (that there was nothing supernatural in the event)
or on the other hand, recommend a re-consideration regarding the decision made
many years ago by the Church Hierarchy (the appeal to re-open the case by many of
the devotees as of now).

Popular belief claims that the alleged apparition in Lipa were suppressed and
judged as not worthy of belief due to mere faults found in the technicalities. The
proponents who wish to re-open the case of Lipa appeal using the discrepancies in
these technicalities. A section of this paper entitled controversies will sight some
discrepancies in the preliminary investigations as a background only. I would like to
stress here that I do not undermine the importance of technicalities in the
investigation (i.e. mandatory silence) for this is very crucial in the preliminary
procedure of any supernatural investigation but these issues will not be discussed in
this paper since a thorough study and argument regarding this matter has already
been extensively discussed in the well-received book of Ms. June Keithley entitled
Lipa if I will discuss it, I will just be repeating what she have done already.
However, a lot of her findings will be used as a resource material and background for
this paper.

What this paper intends to develop is a theological understanding

regarding the alleged messages given by Our Lady during the event. Hopefully, it
may conclude whether the alleged messages or the event itself is theologically sound
or really not worthy of belief.
EVENTS AND MESSAGES

The Ladys message in her first visit in August 18, 1948:

Do not fear my daughter. He whom you love above all things has sent me. I come
with a message.
You have had a long and fierce battle with your enemies. It has caused me much pain.
But they will
9

no longer molest you unless there be a last, strong assault. Do not be afraid, be brave.
Your enemy
is jealous because you love your Mother Prioress very much. Love her much more.
Wash her feet,
kiss them, then drink the water. Give this message to your mother. Love her very
much but tell
nothing to others.

This message was followed with an additional command that the visionary
should eat some grass and perform this act at three in the afternoon, for such acts
would be for the salvation of two souls, that of the Prioress and her own. Some may
find it absurd and repulsive to our human judgment why Our Lady should require
such an act but it is interesting to note that in 1858, the Lady who introduced herself
as the Immaculate Conception had to ask Bernadette Soubirous of Lourdes three
times to drink from the mud and to eat weeds --- a task which this future saint could
accomplish only on her third attempt. This act scandalized and prompted witnesses
to say that Bernadette had gone mad, an accusation that would also be hurled against
Teresing. Later it is understood that these acts are preliminary conditions in order to
prepare the visionary for the task ahead. To put it simply, this is a sign of obedience
and an act of humility and faith. But still others, skeptic or not, do not see the
relevance of these requirements. For them, humility, obedience and simplicity is not
measured by these acts.

The first petals

10

On August 19, the same day Teresing and Mo. Cecilia complied with the
Ladys request; the following messages were given to Teresing:

Your mother made a wise decision in obeying me. Now that you have given me
proof of your
humility, and your mother of her simplicity, I can now proceed. Both of you will
always remain
under my mantle.

The following day, Teresing witnessed the shower of roses (petals) in her
bedroom while fixing her bed. In an interview made by Ms. June Keithley she said:

I was in my cell and fixing our bed in the morning.then I looked up because I knew
there was something falling, so I looked up and saw petals. I said, how can this be?
There are no holes in the ceiling. I was really surprised!

In any Marian apparition, it is always marked with extra-ordinary phenomena.

It consists of what the seers and witnesses say they saw, predictions made by the
Lady which were fulfilled, the Ladys messages and the miraculous cures. From these
experiences, conversions and devotions flourish. The shower of petals in Lipa is one
11

of the alleged unique and unexplainable supernatural phenomenons that took place
in that event. This happened not only once but was followed in the succeeding days
in Lipa. Even bishop Obviar & Versoza experienced these shower of petals right
before their very eyes.

Thousands of followers started flocking the apparition site due to this extraordinary experience. What is more compelling is that it was experienced not only by
the visionary but by thousands of people as well. Reports of miracles and
conversions were attributed to these petals up until this present day. Mo. Cecilia,
testified by other nuns in Jaro Carmel where she was exiled after the condemnation
of the alleged apparitions, was being followed by this shower of roses even in Jaro
Carmel.

Formal Phase of the Ladys Manifestation

As the alleged apparition progresses, the Lady began to reveal her identity to
Teresing. At around five in the afternoon of September 12, 1948, while saying the
rosary in the garden, Teresing heard a voice instructing her to return to that spot for
15 consecutive days. During those periods, she received these messages:

I am your mother, and I am the mother of my Son, JesusPray for them [priests and
nuns]

12

as you have never prayed before. The Sacred Heart of my Son bleeds anew for every
fallen
priest or nun.

At this point the Lady is starting to convey messages directed not just for
Teresing but for others. Its implications covers reparation for the sins of others and
for conversion of sinners. It is a common experience between different Marian
apparitions the appeal for prayer and penance. The Churchs members, especially
among the clergy in the different points of history, are known to deviate sometimes
from what they are supposed to be --- morally upright and holy. The constant call for
repentance is very evident in every Marian apparition. Theologically speaking, this
call to repentance is not a sole Marian innovation but emanates from a Christological
perspective. This message is the message of the Gospel of Christ. Nothing new is
revealed in this message. All these messages are already in Sacred Scripture. From
time immemorial, God sent prophets, angels, apostles, disciples, preachers, etc. to
deliver this message in various times in history. This message of prayer and penance
is also voiced out in Fatima.

I ask this from Carmel. I wish that my image be placed here. This place must be
cleaned so
that it may become a shrine for prayer.

Another usual request in Marian Apparitions is erecting a shrine for a place of

prayer. CFC gave us a good guideline regarding this issue:
13

Fourth, proper response is not fulfilled by merely erecting a shrine or organizing certain
devotions,
but by imitating Marys faith, hope and love of God and neighbor. [emphasis mine]

The Ladys request for a shrine in Lipa was accompanied by a message to the
Carmelite community at that time. They were instructed to believe and to keep the
apparitions secret until she advised otherwise and especially to let love overflow in
their monastery. They were instructed to love one another as true sisters (this
instruction is again not something new for it is the same instruction given by Christ
--- My commandment is this: love one another, just as I love you.), obey and love the
Mother prioress (which stands in place of Christ --- as stated in the Carmelite Rule
of Life) and not to envy Teresing. The Lady also requested that the monastery be
known as Our Ladys Carmel.

It is important to mention how Carmelites regard Mary from the start in order
to understand the implications of what the Lady is asking these nuns. Many devotees
of the brown scapular (associated with Our Lady of Mt. Carmel) have a
misconception of attaching superstition in the scapular. But for a true Carmelite,
wearing the scapular basically means being clothed with Marys virtues. When a
Carmelite performs or does certain acts related to Mary (like this request of the Lady
in Lipa), it is clear to him/her that it means imitating Marys virtues in order to grow
in faith, hope and love. These theological implications may not seem obvious from
an outsiders point of view, but for a Carmelite, this is very clear --- to venerate and
14

honor Mary means to imitate her total obedience to God by being clothed with her
virtues.

On another account the Lady also instructed:

I want a statue of myself to be made so that my little ones can see me. Describe me to
your
chaplain because I wish my statue to look as you see me, and to be as large as that of
Our
Lady of Lourdes which stands inside the cloister.

The said image was temporarily put aside as a consequence of the verdict of
the investigating committee. After several decades, upon the approval of the local
ordinary of Lipa, it was permitted for public veneration again. Now, replicas of the
said image are being distributed to different dioceses in the Philippines and even
abroad. The image that will become popular will soon be known as Mary, Mediatrix
of All Grace.

15

ALL GRACES OR ALL GRACE?

The Lady appeared at the last day of the promised 15 days. After exhorting the
community to love one another, encouraging simplicity, humility and obedience,
requesting mass to be held every 12th of the month and stating that her Son is the
Way, the Truth and the Life, she identified herself before vanishing:I am Mary,
Mediatrix of All Grace.

Pray, my child. The people do not heed my words. Tell my daughters that there
will be
persecutions, unrest and bloodshed in your country. The enemy of the Church will
try to
destroy the faith which Jesus had established and died for. The Church will suffer
much.
Pray for the conversion of sinners throughout the world. Pray for those who
rejected me
and those who do not believe my messages in the different parts of the world. I am
really
sad but consoled by those who believe and trust me. Spread the meaning of the
rosary
because this will be the instrument for peace throughout the world. Tell the people
that the

16

rosary must be said with devotion. Propagate the devotion to my Immaculate

Heart. Do
penance for priests and nuns but be not afraid, for the love of my Son will soften the
hardest
of hearts, and my motherly love will be their strength to crush the enemies of God.
What I ask
here is the same I asked at Fatima. I bless this community in a very special
blessing. All
these can be revealed now. I repeat to you that I am Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace. This
is my
last apparition here.

I will not discuss in further detail the last message of the Apparition. As
mentioned within the message itself, the same is asked at Fatima. Some
commentators however see a controversy in the title given by the Madonna. When
asked whether the title was of all Graces, Teresing strongly pointed out that it is
of all Grace. We shall discuss the different implications between these two titles.
Are they really different or are they pointing at the same reality?

THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION

In our present age, though others still find it difficult to accept calmly the
belief that Mary is Mediatrix of all Graces we are more enlightened by encyclicals
17

written by popes and other Church documents, especially after Vatican II, openly
referring to Mary as such. We can imagine how rigid the Church was during that
time in 1948, especially having Cardinal Alfredo Ottaviani (a known conservative) as
Prefect or Assessor of the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office now
known as the Sacred Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith (CDF). Though not
proclaimed as a Dogma, Mary has been referred to under the title Mary, Mediatrix of
All Graces. Many popes in their encyclicals have discussed this thoroughly and
sensibly. Among the earliest popes who somehow regarded her related to this title
before Vatican II were:

Leo XII through whom [Christ] has chosen to be the dispenser of all heavenly
graces(Jucunda simper,

1883); It is right to say that nothing at all of the immense

treasury of every grace which the Lord

accumulated --- for grace and truth come from

Jesus Christ (Jn 1:17) --- nothing is imparted to us except through Mary(Octobri Mense,
1891).

St. Pius X dispensatrix of all the gifts acquired by the death of the Redeemer (ad
diem illum, AAS 36, 1904, p.453); she became most worthily the reparatrix of the lost
world and dispensatrix of all the gifts

that our Savior purchased for us by his death and

his blood (Ad diem illum, 1904; cf., Eadmer, De

Eccellentia Virginis Mariae, c.9); For she is

the neck of our Head by which He communicates to his Mystical Body all spiritual gifts
(Ad diem illum, 1904).

Pope Benedict XV For with her suffering and dying son, Mary endured suffering
and almost death One can truly affirm that together with Christ she has redeemed the
18

human race For this reason, every

kind of grace we receive from the treasury of the

redemption is ministered as it were through the hands of

the same sorrowful Virgin

(Apostolic Letter, Inter Sodalicia, AAS 10, 1918, p. 182); (Mass and Office of

Mediatrix

of

all Graces approved 1921)

Pope Pius XI the virgin who is treasure of all graces with God (Apostolic letter,
Cognitum sane, AAS 18, p.213); We know that all things are imparted to us from God, the
greatest and best, through the

hands of the Mother of God (Encyclical Letter,

Ingravescentibus malis, AAS 29, 1937, p. 380).

Pope Pius XII it is the will of God that we obtain all favors through Mary, let
everyone hasten to have

recourse to Mary(Superiore anno, AAS 32 1940, p. 145. For

usage of same expression by Pius XII, cf., AAS 45, 1953, p. 382); She teaches us all virtues;
she gives us her Son and with him all the help we need, for

God

wished

us

to

have

everything through Mary (Mediator Dei, 1947).

From these encyclicals we can notice the development of the teaching

regarding Mary as Mediatrix of All Graces. It is interesting to note that Pope Pius
XIIs Mediator Dei came out at 1947. The happenings in Lipa took place in 1948 --only a year after the encyclical was released. It has been experienced by the Church
before that Marys apparitions confirms the current issues the Church faces at that
certain time. One of these apparitions that confirm the title attached to the current
issues of the time happened in Lourdes France: Mary Conceived without Original
Sin (Immaculate Conception). In the case of Lipa, the thought of associating the

19

apparition to affirm the current issue the Church faces at that time (in this case that
Mary is indeed Mediatrix of All Graces) is reasonable.

After Vatican II, an official Church document and papal encyclical

strengthened the teaching about the Mediatrix of All Graces: Lumen Gentium and
Redemptoris Mater.

Thus there is mediation: Mary places herself between her Son and mankind in the
reality of its
wants, needs and sufferings. She puts herself in the middle , that is to say, she acts as
a Mediatrix
not as an outsider, but in her position as a mother. She knows that, as such, she can
point out to
her Son the needs of mankind and in fact, she has the right to do so. Her mediation
is thus in the
nature of intercession: Mary intercedes for mankind

Marys maternal mediation does not obscure the unique and perfect mediation of
Christ. Indeed,
after calling Mary Mediatrix, the Council is careful to explain that this neither
takes away anything

20

from nor adds anything to the dignity and efficacy of Christ the one Mediator
(Lumen Gentium, n.62)
in addition, the Council states that Marys function as a Mother of men in no
way obscures or

diminishes this unique mediation of Christ, but rather shows its

power (Lumen Gentium, n. 60).

In the Philippines, another Official Church Document teaches very clearly how
the Church understands Mary as Mediatrix of All Graces:

Authentic Catholic doctrine teaches that Marys intercession does not in any way
detract from, or add
to, the unique mediation of Christ (cf. 1 Tim 2:5-6). Two analogies help us to
understand this. First,
in Gods continuing act of Creating, the one goodness of God is communicated
diversely to all creatures. Second, the priesthood of Christ is shared in various ways
both by sacred ministers and by all the baptized. Hence, in like manner, the unique
mediation of Christ is shared by all, since God calls all to cooperate, in manifold
human ways, in Christs redemptive mission (cf. LG 62). Catholics see in Mary a
special cooperation due to her God-given role within His saving work through Christ
and the Spirit.

St. Paul clearly affirms there is ONE mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus (1
Tim 2:5)But

21

just as Jesus calls all to follow him and share in his mission as Prophet, Priest, and
King, so he gave
Mary, his Mother, the unique mission of being mother to all his disciples (cf. Jn 19:26).
Thus Jesus
makes Mary share in his own saving mediatorship, neither adding nor detracting from
it in any way.

After pointing out how the Church interprets this teaching, we will notice that
all principles behind it points to Christs saving grace. We saw that there was nothing
new revealed. All matters only supplement the existing Truth found in Jesus Christ.
The Church has always acknowledged the proper role and importance of Churchapproved Apparitions, especially in light with Divine Revelation. Revelation is
Gods personal loving communication to us of who He is and His plan to save us all in
His love. It is Gods reaching out to us in friendship, so we get to know and love Him.
All private Apparitions, whether they be authentic or not, do not affect in any way
the public Revealed Truth of Christ. The faithful may believe in the Churchapproved private apparitions but they are not obliged. Belief in these Churchapproved apparitions is not necessary for salvation. The fullness of Revelation is
revealed by and through Jesus Christ as stated in Sacred Scriptures:

We now await no further new public revelation before the glorious coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Tim 6:14; Tit 2:13; DV 4)

22

as well as in the official teachings of the Church:

Nevertheless we Catholics must witness to [our] own faith and way of life in the
Catholic
Church which proclaims, and is duty-bound to proclaim, without fail, Christ who is
the way,
the truth and the life (NA 2). Jesus Christ is himself both the mediator and the
fullness of all Revelation (DV 2; cf. CCC 65).

There is no question with the term of All Graces as it is clearly mentioned

and discussed in the above Church documents and papal encyclicals. It refers to the
merits of Jesus Christ and all other favors God grants to humanity. We may simply
put it this way: Catholics see in Mary a special cooperation due to her God-given role
within His saving work through Christ and the Spirit. Now, will this explanation
remain the same if we change of All Graces to of All Grace?

I will not deal with this dilemma grammatically. But, I will try to assume
intelligibly what of all Grace may imply. One approach is to associate Jesus Christ
as the Grace. Let us quote a paragraph in the CFC:

23

Obeying Gods Law is clearly the means toward the goal of sharing in Gods own life of
love,
GRACE. Grace is primarily Gods loving PRESENCE, the gift of the Spirit within us
that
justifies and sanctifies us

If grace is primarily Gods personal loving presence to humankind, we have to

relate this with Christ being Emmanuel --- God-with-us. Christs Incarnation
brought about a wholly new way of God being present to humanity. Albeit He has
always been present to his people in history before the Incarnation, His presence was
not the same as His presence when the Word became flesh. This is very evident in
Salvation history. Christ is the greatest manifestation of God. Christ is the primordial
sacrament of God. He is THE PRESENCE he is THE GRACE.

Having written that, Marys role as mediatrix must always be directly

connected with her role as the Mother of Christ. Similarly in the teaching of of All
Graces, which focuses on the different aspects of dispensing various needs of the
Church coming from Christ, now the of All Grace focus on the relationship of
Mary being mother to the one encompassing grace It is important again to
remember here that the focus of the teaching is in Christ being the highest selfoffering of God and not on Mary.

24

Now, after elaborating on that matter, it seems that there is no great difference
between the two terms --- of all graces and of all grace. This paper attempted to
see any difference but it found none. It seems that there is no great difference
between the two. It invites other theologians for further reflection regarding the
matter. If however, some item be deemed as non-conforming to official Church
teaching or worse heretical, I submit myself humbly to the judgment of the Church.

CONTROVERSIES

There are indications that the official Church investigation was rather hurried,
slipshod affair, generally wanting in thoroughness:

Bishop Versoza was never questioned, neither Bishop Obviar, who

would till his dying day, wait for official church representatives to come
for his testimony.

Fancisco Dychangco, head of the Lipa Marian Research Center, which at

one time spearheaded a campaign that tried to have the case re-opened,
cites another serious oversight on the part of the commission:

For example, Mrs. Mendoza of Paco, and also Sr. Melania Sunga of
Candon, Ilocos Sur were not investigated if these miracles were
investigated, and they said never. So I presumed that those who

25

investigated Lipa only asked questions from the Sisters and never
investigated any of the miracles.

All the bishops have since passed away. But there are testimonies to the
effect that they may have been ill prepared to sign such a document.
Here is a quote from an interview with Mr. Dychangco:

June Keithley

Did you ever get to talk to any of them?

Dychangco

Yes. Only one, because at that time in 1982, only

one was

living, and that was Bishop Reyes of

Cabanatuan, Vicente Reyes. And I asked him, How did

you arrive at that

decision?

He told me, I was young bishop then. I was called

to the Arzobispado in Intramuros at nine oclock in the
morning. We had

conference

threeoclock, we signed he

there.

At

around

document that it was not

true.

I asked him, Did you investigate yourself, Your

Excellency?

No, he said. There was a body, a commission ho

investigated.

26

Teresing states that she was never called to face or be interrogated by

the Bishops. Neither was she ever interrogated by the Carmelite father
sent from Rome.

Bishop Cesar Guerrero, when he was still alive, often expressed his
disappointment over the turn of events:

He ( Bishop Guerrero) did not make much statement about it because it

was forbidden by the Church.

But then we knew from his talks,

privately, that he was in, I mean, he approved that happening in Lipa.

He found it supernatural.
--- Mother Mary Margaret of the Sacred
Heart, OCD

(former prioress of

Angeles Carmel)

Bishop Cesar Guerrero used to come here every year on the 21 st of

November. He used to come here to pay his respect to our Blessed
Mother. And he says Mass. After saying Mass, he used to see the
community. I was then a very young novice, and I remember in one of his
visits he said that, You know, I am really waiting for the Church
approval of the apparitions of Our Lady. I saw tears in his eyes.
--- Sister Bernadette of the Mother of
God, OCD

27

He informed us that every November 21st, he will come here. Alam mo

[you know], by November, ay, its still dark, so we do not open the gate
until around five-thirty, quarter to six, like that. But during that time,
when he was still living, we used to open even before five. Because
coming from Pampanga, he would just appear. Then he would park his
car in front of our church. And then he told us also, You know, I tell our
Blessed Mother, Mama Mary, I am here to present myself.
--- Sister Elizabeth of the Sacred
Heart, OCD

Fr. Lorenzo Maria Guerrero, SJ, former head of the Marian Movement of
Priests in the Philippines, disclosed that his uncle, Bishop Cesar Guerrero
stated that he believed in the veracity of the apparitions. Fr. Guerrero has since
suffered a debilitating stroke, but in his desire to set the record straight, has
signed his official testimony to this effect (dated February 11, 1990). He made
an affidavit stating Bishop Guerreros deathbed confession.

Bishop Godofredo Pedernal, former bishop of Borlongan, Eastern Samar said

these in an interview by June Keithley:

Bishop Guerrero was already living in Hospicio de San Jose and once in
a while, Bishop Obviar would go there to visit him. And he always
talked about (holds up imaginary petal) the petal. The same thing with
all the other ones who signed like Archbishop Juan Sison of Vigan. Its
the same thing with Sison --- all these bishops who have signed --- they

28

never did away with the petal that they got, that the sisters gave them.
(suppresses a chuckle) [emphasis mine]

This next account is very sensitive and alarming. It involves prominent people
of the Catholic Hierarchy during the time of the alleged apparition. I will just
present here the testimonies of some people interviewed by Ms. June Keithley:

I was transferred in 1956 to Angeles Carmel as Subprioress. Now, every

now and then, when he [Bishop Guerrero] became the bishop of San
Fernando, he used to visit us.One day, when he was talking to us, we
were talking about Lipa and he said, I always go there every November
21. Someday the truth will come out. He said, Its the fault of that
man!He did not mention the name. I dont know, he did not tell the
name. [emphasis mine]
---- Mother Therese of the
Holy Face, H.F.J.

According to Ms. June Keithley, a reliable source which they cannot disclose
in the interest of prudence, testifies that Bishop Patrick Shanley of Isabela [sic
Infanta] was reportedly so disgusted by the conduct of the investigation and the
manner in which certain church officials influenced the outcome of the verdict. In a
fit of anger, he denounced the proceedings and revealed that the bishops had been
forced to sign the verdict by the papal nuncio upon the pain of excommunication.
Bishop Padernal says that Vagnozzi did not believe the reported apparitions at Lipa
to be authentic. He believes that it was just an invention of the sisters. Fr. Pablo
29

Fernandez, O.P. thinks that Vagnozzi should not have interfered with the matter of
the petals.

According to him, that should have been done by the Philippine

hierarchy, by the bishops. He also believes that there is a high possibility that some
of the bishops would have signed the pronouncement because they were
intimidated: It is possible, yes, it is possible that a white man in those times had a
superiority, either real or supposed over the Filipinos because you were still close to
the times of colonialism. According also to Bishop Pedernal, the considerable
influence of Monsignor Rufino Santos cannot be discounted: Bishop Obviar, he was
a good friend of Bishop Guerrero and he said, Why did you sign that? I know you
believe it, you always have your petal there. And the late Bishop Guerrero said, I had
to sign because the Cardinal (referring to Monsignor Santos) said we all had to sign
this.

However, Monsignor Vagnozzi was not who decided the whole thing. The
director general of the Carmelite Order was the one who investigated the whole
thing. He used to go to the nunciature and make his progressive report. And on that
progressive report, he made a progressive report to Rome. Strangely, there was very
little on file on the case of Lipa in the Discalced Carmelite Generalate in Rome. There
werent any records of who had been sent, why, and for how long. More importantly,
there was not even an official report from Fr. Michael Moylan on the nature of his
investigation or the reason for the negative decision on Lipa.

Another document provoked another question. Dated September 26, 1962

(Protocol Number 220/49), it was written by Cardinal Ottaviani in reply to a letter
concerning the status of Mother Cecilia and Mother Mary Anne. It was addressed to
30

the Most Reverend Father Anastacio of the Most Holy Rosary, Prior General of the
Discalced Carmelites:

Your Most Reverend Father sent to this Supreme Sacred Congregation a letter from the
Prioress of the Carmelite Convent of quezon City (Philippines), which inquired whether
the Sisters, Mother Mary Cecilia and Mother Mary Anne of Jesus ought to remain
temporarily or permanently in the said Convent. At the same time, the same Prioress
asked whether the Convent of Lipa would be prevented from holding the canonical
elections.

In relation to this, I wish to communicate to You that from this Holy Office, we gather
that on the 19th of February 1953, the then Apostolic Delegate, Monsignor Vagnozzi, had
been authorized to admit candidates to the novitiate and to simple or solemn
profession in accordance with the norms of the Code of Canon Law and of the
particular Constitutions of Carmel, provided that they be informed of the judgment and
the decisions made about the happenings in Lipa. [emphasis mine]

In this particular case, then, and with the letter of this Supreme Sacred Congregation
dated 29 December 1959, it has been communicated to Your Reverence that the
abovementioned Sisters implicated in the presumed extraordinary happenings at Lipa
be rehabilitated in their position as Choir members, but permanently deprived of both
active and passive voice.[emphasis mine]

31

Inasmuch as there exist no other data in the Archives of the Holy office [emphasis
mine], Your Reverence can consult the Sacred Congregation for the Religious for
whatever future official decisions.

Question arises because it was Cardinal Ottaviani who for 50 years, as head of
the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, was responsible for all
decisions relating to the matter of apparitions and private revelations. So, if there
was no other data in existence in the Archives of the Holy Office, where could they
be? The question then is, had the case of Lipa been merely decided on at the local
level? Could it be that it had never been officially elevated to the investigation of the
Holy See? Bishop Pedernal believes that the decision was prematurely arrived at and
points out that official church investigation into reported apparitions throughout the
history of the church normally last several years.

Bishop Pedernal also recounted the very interesting account of Monsignor

Morelli. Pedernal had accompanied Bishop Obviar on his visit to Rome, and had
been present at the meeting between Morelli and Obviar:

Morelli started about the state of Lipa. He said, Bishop Obviar, why did the bishops
in the Philippines
not insist in asking the Holy Father to approve that the Virgin Mother, Blessed
Mother, had gone to
the Philippines, to Lipa? Because I myself, personally, before I left the Philippines,
twice I experienced
32

in Lipa what had happened in Fatima about the sun while I was there in Carmel.

And Bishop Obviar, you know, the typical temperament of a man from Batangas
emerged. He said, speaking, they were talking in Spanish, he said: Tonteria! he said.
How is this possible? You were
one of those who signed this thing about the petals and about that foolishness!

And the poor monsignor, You know at that time, I was not a bishop. But you see, he
was insisting
that, I am only a retired Monsignor. In fact, Bishop Obviar still said, You are here at
the point of the nose of the Holy Father, so you tell the Holy Father, you approve that
the Blessed Mother went to the Philippines, there in Lipa.

He said, What can I, I cannot do that, I am nothing here. I am only praying as an

old retired
Monsignor, canonigo. But I say you bishops in the Philippines, you have more influence
and power
to tell the Holy Father, please declare that the Blessed Mother

And so the Bishop afterwards, he was explaining, saying, You say that when you were
there, you
said you signed that document that there was nothing. Now here you are, youre
telling me now
33

that you believe that the Blessed Mother went there!

So during the lunch and before we left, again, Monsignor Morelli, he pulled out from
his pocket, Monsignor, this petal which I got from Lipa during the shower will not be
--- I will never separate
from this petal until I die.

CONCLUSION

In this paper I only discussed the theological implications of the said event.
Based on the limited resources that were available (since an order to destroy all the
files were given), I found no contradictions as regards matters related to faith and
moral, it even verified and strengthened it. Though some new understanding
regarding the interpretation of certain accepted truths were being implied by the
event, we cannot immediately judge it either as correct or not in conformity with the
Faith that was handed down to us from the very beginning since all these ideas have
never been given yet a serious and critical reflection by theologians and Church
authorities. We should remember that albeit no new revelation is handed down, the
Church understanding about that truth develops and mature as time progresses.
What seems unthinkable today may become acceptable in the future.

34

With regard to the basis of why the Catholic Hierarchy back then condemned
it, I leave that to the arguments stated by Ms. June Keithley in her book. So many
controversies regarding personal agenda and the technicalities of the investigation
were discussed there. As a theologian, after studying the event particularly the main
messages, I can say that there is no threat of great harm or consequence if the Church
should consider re-opening the case. As a matter of fact, it may even help increase the
fervor of the faithful, especially if the message and devotion will be propagated on a
wider scale. This is evident if we study the fruits of the said event.

Test of time. After more than 50 years of silencing the witnesses, still the
faithfuls

interest never died down. In fact, devotions continue to increase as

fruits were very

evident. The message of prayer, penance and conversion is a

constant call even up until

today. The Church cannot simply ignore the

undeniable spiritual goods that come out of

the alleged apparition.

Key persons in the event lived/ are living a holy life. The four major key persons
(those

who believed in the apparition) were known to live holy lives.

Monsignor Alfredo

Versoza, Bishop of Lipa, and Monsignor Alfredo Obviar,

Auxiliary Bishop and chaplain

of Carmel --- both bishops believed in the

authenticity of the apparitions but were never

questioned by the investigative

committee, and after the Church verdict, maintained an

official silence and

suffered tremendous persecutions. The cause for the beatification of

Bishop

Obviar is now on process. Mother Mary Cecilia, OCD after being exiled to
another Carmel was stripped of her passive and active voice as a choir nun.
She also

maintained an official silence regarding the matter up until her death in

35

1982. Finally, the

seer, Teresing, the only living among the four is living a simple

life. She was sent out of

the monastery after the event. After so many years she

remained obedient to the Church,

known to be sincere and humble rather than

given to exaggeration and story-telling.

Compared to the now-condemned

visionary of Agoo who became transvestite (practicing

known for her simplicity and humility. She still fulfills her

homosexual), Teresing is
promise to our

Lady to attend mass in the Shrine of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace in

Lipa.

Whether the event has a supernatural origin or not, we cannot deny the fact
that it is important to the people ---- it had become a strong source of faith, hope and
love as seen and proven thru the test of time. As what Ingo Swann as said, If the
devout are responding to Marys call, then there is nothing church, science, or
philosophy can do about it. Such is the power of Marys apparitions to the devout,
and her power seems to be theirs and theirs alone. Through the years Ive developed an
abiding respect, not only for the intentions of the lay and religious devout, but also for
their collective power.

The present Archbishop of Lipa, Ramon Arguelles, DD, STL expressed

publicly his belief in the authenticity of the alleged apparition in 1948 but opted not
to give orders of re-opening the case.

However, it is interesting to note that a

National Day of Prayer will be held in Lipa Carmel. Archbishop Angel Lagdameo,
D.D., the current president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines,
has called this event highlighted by the Third National Pilgrimage to the Shrine of
Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace. The date of the said event is also very significant --September 12. It is the date of the first alleged apparition of Our Lady to Teresing in
36

the garden requesting her to return to the spot for 15 consecutive days, rain or shine.
The Madonna also requested that a mass should be celebrated every 12 th of the
month in that place. The Prayer intentions of the said gathering also reflect exactly
what the Lady said during the alleged apparition. Is this an indication that the
Catholic Hierarchy is beginning to consider the alleged messages given in 1948 by
Our Lady in Lipa? In time, I will not be surprised if the Hierarchy will acknowledge
the faith experience of the devotees of Lipa. Their deep devotion to Mary, tied up
with a personal encounter of conversion, healing and love with her is unsurpassable
by any Church decree or sanction. As what is written in Scriptures, if its the work of
God, no one can stop it.

37

APPENDIX

38

Original Account
of
The Events at Lipa Carmel, 1948
by
Mother Mary Cecilia of Jesus, O.C.D.

+
J.M. J.T.

After much difficulty, on July 4, 1948, the day when she completed her 21 years
of age, at 5:00 in the morning, Teresita Castillo was able at last to escape from her
paternal home to enter Carmel of Lipa. For fear that her parents would follow her,
the doors of Carmel were opened immediately as soon as she arrived, and she was
able to hear the Holy Mass already dressed as a Carmelite postulant.

Her two brothers came after her and one of them threatened to kill her with
his pistol if she did not return home, but the young postulant was decided to follow
her holy vocation and was able to answer with a determined will that she was ready
to die because of her, it was a great joy to die in Carmel. Cheerful and contented, she
followed the Community Acts but after Compline, the Mother Prioress dispensed her
from assisting at Matins; after such a heavy trial, the poor Sister needed a good rest.
Scarcely had she rested when she was awakened by the tooting of the horn of the
jeep of her elder brother who demanded with a forceful voice that his sister be
allowed to go out. The Mother Prioress calmed the new postulant who pleaded not
to abandon her at the mercy of her brother. The latter, on seeing that his shouts were
not heard, began to bang the doors so that the Prioress was forced to send word to the

39

authorities to seek protection. Thanks be to God and to the Blessed Mother, before
the authorities arrived, the unwanted visitors had left.

The first three weeks of postulancy were passed with great fervor and
enthusiasm of a newly-accepted postulant, but aside from this, there was observed in
her a firm determination to put efforts to be perfect Carmelite. All in Carmel was
sweet and attractive to her, and like everything else, she did all with love, and all
appeared easy for her. Her sister and brothers did not cease to importune her to
return to their paternal home for her parents would die of grief. But God have her
courage, and her convincing words proved her determined conviction that it was her
will to follow what God had asked of her.

On July 31 at about 8:15 p.m. while Sister Teresita was praying in her cell, she
heard three hard knocks at her door. As it was Great Silence, she answered in a
low cough as is customary in Carmel. She did not see anyone but heard a mans
voice, rather hoarse, who told her: You will never persevere here because you will
always be tempted. It is time that you should follow me for you have done so much
already to follow your God. Remember I am Satan. So that you will believe all this
is true, I will leave something in your cell.

A bad odor was perceived, very

disagreeable, before she heard the voice. Sister Teresita, who trembled with fear, had
courage to light her lamp and see if there was something new in her cell. She found
near her bed a black footprint.

With great fear, she ran hurriedly to the cell of the Mother Prioress, who at the
time was writing. She embraced her and cried. Her Reverence tried to console her
and encouraged her to be generous and not to look back after she has put her hand to
the plough, as she thought the postulant was only homesick and sad due to her
separation from her dear ones, and that it was only a temptation of the enemy. Why,
Mother, can the devil speak? she asked. The Ass of Balaam spoke, answered the
Prioress. She then explained briefly to the Prioress all that happened. The Prioress
was incredulous until she said that he left something black in her cell. Come,
40

Mother, and see it yourself! Both went to the cell and the Prioress saw the footprint.
She was Stupefied, and with one finger she touched it. It was horrible soot.

At three oclock in the morning of the first of August, Sister Teresita awoke the
Prioress telling her Reverence: Mother, did you hear? What? asked the Prioress.
The same voice of last night telling me he will not molest me anymore, but he will
do all possible not to make me as a saint. No, answered the Prioress. Is someone
downstairs? I can hear as though someone is running, said the postulant.

After Mass, the Mother Prioress gave an account of what happened to the
Auxiliary Bishop, [in his capacity] as Chaplain of Carmel. His Excellency entered the
enclosure to see the footprint, and after having seen it, the Mother Prioress removed
it with a piece of cloth. The footprint disappeared, but the cloth was stained with
soot.

After the Little Hours, the postulant was called to the parlor and was examined
by the Auxiliary Bishop. She was a bit agitated, but not nervous. His Excellency told
her not to fear, to use holy water, and to pray much. Afterwards, His Excellency
(Auxiliary BISHOP) went to Batangas to give an account of it all to His Excellency,
Monsignor Verzosa, who counseled that the postulant be given enough care and
food, and to sleep well to avoid her being a melancholic. This was fulfilled, and
Sister Teresita did not think anymore of the incident.

On August 6, First Friday, on taking the card of the Sacred Heart, Sister
Teresita got that of a Victim. On returning to her cell at about 8:00 p.m., she took the
card and was about to read it when it escaped her hands as though blown by strong
wind. Afterwards, she heard a voice accompanied by a very disagreeable odor who
said: Sister Teresita, a victim of Carmel you will be. She did not see anyone but a
great fear encompassed her, so she ran to her Mother Prioress to tell all that

41

happened. The card of the sacred Heart was found the next morning thrown in one
corner of the cell.

The next day, Saturday, August 7, the Mother Prioress was obliged to go to the
Carmel of Manila. At about 3:00 p.m. while Sister Teresita was sewing in her cell, she
heard once more the voice of a man who told her: I came to distract you because you
always think of the Virgin Mary. Why do you obey your Mother Prioress? That
displeases me very much. Why do you meddle with my affairs? answered the
postulant. I came today because your Mother is not here. I shall return for two
more Saturdays. This assault lasted for about five minutes, more or less.

At about 5:30 of the same afternoon, while Sister Teresita was going upstairs to go to
her cell, she smelled the strong perfume of azucenas [while lilies]. The fragrance
increased in intensity as she approached her cell. On arriving in her cell, she heard a
feminine voice, so sweet, who told her: My child, sufferings and pains will
accompany you until the end of your life, but she saw no one.
On August 11 at about 3:00 a.m. more or less, Sister Teresita was awakened
because her bed shook violently. Then she heard the hoarse voice. I have come
today to visit you at this hour because it is the best, as your Mother is sleeping. Your
poor parents and brothers are waiting outside. When will you pity them? Why do
you love your Mother Prioress? Because in loving her, it is Jesus Christ I love,
answered the postulant. I visited you three times but I always failed. Why do you
obey the Bishop? And many other things similar were asked. Then Sister Teresita
saw the face of her interlocutor on fire and very furious. She heard him taking
something from her desk, the discipline, wherewith he beat her hands. As usual, she
ran precipitately towards her Mother who saw the signs of the discipline on both
hands of Sister Teresita.

The next day at about 10:00 a.m., being Saturday, the Community was occupied
in the cleaning of the house. On crossing the garden to take water, Sister Teresita
42

saw a rose and said to herself: Oh, if only I could take that rose and offer it to my
Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. On arriving in her cell, as she was about to sweep
it, she was surprised to see a fresh rose on her prayer book on her bed. And just then
she heard the voice of the enemy. Where did you get that rose? Who gave it you?
Your Mother Prioress is in the parlor that is why I came now. Why do you love her? I
have so many rivals; we will see who will conquer. Why do you love so much your
Mother? But why do you meddle with my affairs? Sister Teresita answered while
throwing holy water. He ceased for a moment and then [answered] back again: I
will punish you. The postulant felt that he was beating her hands with a cord that
left black marks on her hands.

On August 15 at about 3:30 a.m., Sister Teresita saw an ugly face on the wall of
her cell. Without looking for a second time, she ran precipitately to her Mother
Prioress.

The next day at around 4:30 in the afternoon while sewing in her cell, she
heard again the voice of the enemy. Why did you run to your Mother last night? I
wanted to speak to you. I came for three consecutive days and I always failed. That
is why I feel I have lost, but only partially. Why do you love your Mother Prioress?
Sister Teresita answered: Why do you meddle with my affairs? The enemy got
furious and the postulant felt a pinch on her right hand. The nails were imprinted,
thus causing it to bleed a little, and it had soot and bad odor.

That same day, the 16th of August at about 8:30 in the evening, Sister Teresita
was walking towards her cell when suddenly she felt someone was pulling her back
with her two hands and was pushing her towards the small door of the enclosure.
Surprised, she was that the door was opened very widely, and they were pushing her
furiously outside. With great force, she was able to mount the stairs and went up
running to the cell of her Mother. Even on the stairs, they impeded her going up.
But at last, she was able to reach the cell and with a sudden push, she reached her

43

Mother who was then writing. There were black marks like soot on both hands of
the postulant.

On August 18, Wednesday, at 5:30 p.m., while Sister Teresita was going to her
before going to the garden, she smelled the perfume of the azucena. Upon arriving
[in] her cell, she saw a beautiful lady with a long hair, some white already. she was
dressed in white. She was surprised to see her as she could not understand how she
was able to enter her cell, hence, she ran precipitately and was about to leave her
when the lady stopped her by holding her by the hand: Do not fear, my child, and
with a gesture, she bade her sit on the chair. The lady sat on the bed and she
continued: He who loves above all things has sent me. I come with a message. You
had a long and difficult battle with your enemies, but they will not molest you from
hence unless it be for a last and strong assault. Do not fear and be brave. Your enemy
is jealous because you love your Mother Prioress very much. Love her more now.
Wash her feet, kiss them, and then drink the water you used for washing afterwards.
Tell this message to your Mother, not to anyone else. So that you will believe me, I
shall give you two pictures. Give them to your Mother for her to keep; the Community
might need them someday. I took them for your prayer book; they are the ones you like
best. This conversation lasted for about twenty-five minutes more or less; that is, the
Lady disappeared five minutes before six.

Sister Teresita said that when it is the enemy who speaks, he does it
precipitately as though fearful to be caught, while the Lady speaks sweetly and
calmly.

At six, the Angelus bell is rung and after, the Community goes to the
Refectory. Immediately after the Supper, Sister Teresita approached her Mother and
asked to speak with her in the cell.

44

Both went up and the postulant told all that had happened. The Mother was
doubtful of it all, saying that as she was not sure who the Lady was, she did not
permit her to wash her feet, and if the Lady returns, to ask who she is. Both Mother
and child went to recreation and to Compline and both forgot about the incident.
When Sister Teresita went up to her cell to pray, she found the Lady waiting for her
there. Without allowing Sister Teresita to say a word, she said: I placed my identity
on the table of your Mother. Go to her and tell her that she will find there who I am.

The postulant obeyed, and she went to the cell of her Mother. She found her
Reverence writing, and told her what the lady said. What id she find on her table?
The Mother went up after Compline to work, and found on the table the prayer book
wherein according to Sister Teresita, the two pictures had disappeared. The Prioress
believed that the postulant had placed it there to show where the two pictures had
come from, hence, she did not mind it; but Sister Teresita assured her Reverence that
she was not the one who placed it there. They understood that the prayer book was
the means given by the Lady to make known her identity. Her Reverence opened it
and read the title:

Treasury of the Virgin Mary.

The Mother did not give

importance to it and told the postulant that the book did not reveal who the Lady
was, hence, she cannot permit her to wash her feet, nor to kiss it, nor to drink of the
water afterwards.

One day, the Lady told Sister Teresita: I have some questions to ask you. why
are your parents very opposed to your vocation? They were opposed from the
beginning, replied the postulant. And you, what do you think of it? You are sad
about it? No, answered Sister Teresita, because that is the will of God for me.
From now on, whatever new thing you find in your cell, give it to your Mother to
keep. I was sent by the One who created you. I go now. Tell all this to your Mother
Prioress. Do not fear, tell her though you fear it might hurt her.

Immediately after the Little Hours of August 19, she gave report to her Mother
of all that occurred to her. The Mother Prioress related to the Auxiliary Bishop,
45

asking His Excellency at the same [time] if it was permissible to approve what the
Lady asks: to wash the feet, etc. his Excellency counseled it is better to exercise great
prudence, and better if she could ask for a sign from the Lady to know who she was.
On leaving the Parlor, the Mother Prioress stepped on three azucenas and on a piece
of paper which, according to her, was placed at the door by a postulant whom she
saw and who immediately disappeared. She took the flowers and the little paper and
she read the following: Conform yourself with what your child asks. Thinking it
was Sister Teresita who brought it on the part of the lady, the Mother showed it to
the Bishop. At the beginning of recreation, the Prioress called Sister Teresita and
asked what is the meaning of the three azucenas and the small paper that she placed
at the door of the parlor. Sister Teresita was surprised and said she knew nothing
about it. Hence, the Mother Prioress did not question, further awaiting what will
happen next.

At about one in the afternoon, Sister Teresita went hurriedly to her Mother
who was busy directing the workmen who were constructing the well.

She

approached her and begged that her Reverence follow her to her cell as she had
something to tell her. The Mother noticed that Sister Teresita did not lift her veil that
covered her face, though she spoke to her at her cell. Mother, the lady returned to
visit me and without even telling her what your Reverence told me, to ask for a sign,
she told me that your Reverence will see the sign in my eyes. The veil was lifted,
and the Mother saw that the eyes of Sister Teresita were encircled with fresh blood.
The postulant was a bit agitated, and when she was asked why she was fearful, she
said that she did not know what was in her eyes. What do you feel or what did you
feel in it? When the Lady told me that your Reverence will see the sign in my eyes,
I felt as though my tears bedewed my eyes, and now it seems as though it is all wet.
The Lady told me that when I go to call for your Reverence, I must not show my face
to anyone nor lift my veil, except to your Reverence. Do your eyes not hurt you?
asked her Mother. No, answered Sister Teresita, and [she said] that the Lady
repeated what she formerly asked: to wash the feet of the Prioress, to kiss them, and
to drink the water and if possible, to do it at three oclock of that same afternoon,
Thursday, August 19. The washing of the feet is for the salvation of their two souls,
that of the Mother Prioress and of Sister Teresita, added the Lady.
46

At three in the afternoon of that day, the Mother Prioress and Sister Teresita
obeyed the Ladys message. At 8:30 in the evening as the postulant was praying in
her cell, a nun entered, and thinking it was her Mother Prioress, Sister Teresita knelt.
But the voice was that of the Lady! Your Mother had an upright decision (that of
obeying me.) Now that you have given me proof of your humility and your Mother of
her simplicity, I can proceed. You two will always be under my mantle. Afterwards,
she gave fresh instructions to Sister Teresita with regards to her great temptation or
combat that awaited her. It might last the whole day. Tell your Mother to be patient
with you that day.

I will tell you later why you had to undergo that terrible

temptation.

Sister Teresita slept after Matins. At about 2:30, the Lady who was dressed in
sky blue awoke her. Again she gave counsels to Sister Teresita. Obey always your
Mother not only when she commands you to do something, but even her least desires.
Why do you prefer to pray in your cell? Because here I can practice more faith. In
the choir, I know that God is there on the altar, but here, I need faith to believe that
He is here, answered Sister Teresita. How is it, my dear Mother, how is it possible
that you who are so holy and blessed come to me who is nothing but dust and ashes
and a sinner? asked Sister Teresita. That is what I was waiting to hear from your
lips, my dear child, answered the Lady.

On August 20 after Mass and before the Little Hours, Sister Teresita was
arranging her cell. Suddenly, she saw fall from the wall rose petal that fell on the
floor in the form of a cross. In obedience to the Lady, Sister Teresita called her
Mother to see the cross. The Mother gathered the petals and she kept them.

The Mother Prioress was asked by Sister Teresita why when the Lady appears,
everything disappears in her cell! The Lady is surrounded by a bright light and
Sister Teresita sees nothing else around.
47

On Sunday, August 22, feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, at about 12:30 in
the evening began the terrible combat announced by the Lady. Sister Teresita saw
herself despoiled of her robe. At about 1:30 more or less, Sister Teresita ran to the
cell of her Mother, and for the first time, the enemy followed her. Mother, pray to
the Blessed Virgin to guard my chastity! The battle was a cruel and hard one, and
the Mother Prioress did all that she could help Sister Teresita. The poor postulant
felt they were pulling her hands and her feet; she pressed on her Mother and fought
against the enemy. Afterwards, a legion came to assault her, spoke badly of her
Mother, and laughed at the Bishop, etc., etc. at the end, Sister Teresita said: I have
no eyes to see all your indecencies! At the sound of the clapper at 4:45 a.m., the
enemies fled. Sister Teresita was looking for her Mother! Her eyes were opened but
she could not see; she was blind!

The Community was not aware of what was happening to Sister Teresita. The
Lady left a word not to tell it to anyone except to her Mother. They two alone were to
keep the secret. When Sister Teresita got blind, the Mother took care of her as a voice
said: Have patience with your child. Three days she will be blind for the good of
both. At 9:50 a.m. of the same day, Sunday, August 22, the Mother received this
message Love her much! Two more additional days of blindness for the salvation of
her parents and for the beautiful destiny that is awaiting her in the next life. Do not
leave your child from three to five p.m. It needs five days of sufferings and blindness
for your good and hers. You will owe her much. Remain with her from eight until nine
p.m. Give her good food. Love her much until the end! Patience!

At 3:00 p.m., the poor, blind postulant felt as though her whole body was filled
with large pinpricks that gave her pain throughout. The pain was intermittent, and
when the pins pricked her, she racked with pain. At times, she felt as though her
back was pinched sharply until the bones. At five, the pains ceased.

48

At eight in the evening, Sister Teresita had again the pains of the pinpricks of
the pins. At lasted until nine oclock.

The next morning, Sister Teresita heard Mass and afterwards, her Mother
brought her to cell. The Mother went down to take her breakfast. On going up, the
Mother received instructions for every day until Friday, August 27. at 2:55 in the
afternoon of the same day, the voice said to the Mother that Sister Teresita would
recover her sight on September 7.

Sister Teresita suffered morally during the first days of her blindness. She
asked her Mother if God did not reveal that she would regain her sight, and if her
blindness would not be a motive for the Community to send her out. At times, tears
fell from her eyes, and when her Mother asked her the reason for crying, she replied,
Oh, if only I could see my Mother before I die!

On August 24, Sister Teresita told her Mother that she was grateful for having
visited her twice during the night covering her with the blanket, a thing that the
Mother Prioress had not done. As it was natural and necessary, Sister Teresita was
segregated fro the Community and whenever it was possible, her Mother sttod by her
side. As the Community was not aware of what was happening, God allowed that
the Mother and children suffer terribly during this time.

One day, Sister Teresita said: Oh Mother, how I wish today was Saturday!
Why? asked the Mother. Because your Reverence promised me that on that day
you will bring me to the garden and will permit me to cut two flowers, one white for
your Reverence, and the other red for me. The Mother was surprised as she has
never told her that, but the Mother did not let it be understood by Sister Teresita.

49

Everyday during her blindness, Sister Teresita was to suffer the pinpricks from
three to five in the afternoon, and from eight to nine in the evening. Once, the
Mother counted 95 attacks of pinpricks during the three hours.

On Friday, August 27, the pains grew worse and lasted for a longer time. She
suffered from 8:30 to 10:00 in the evening, from 11:30 to 2:00, from 3:00 to 5:00, from
8:00 to 9:00 in the evening until midnight! The Mother knew beforehand all these
hours of pain as it was announced.

At last came the long sighed for day of Saturday, August 28. As was promised,
while the Mother Prioress was in the choir for the Little Hours, someone brought
Sister Teresita to the garden and made her cut two flowers, one white and the other
red. Sister Teresita was in full belief that it was the Mother Prioress went up to the
cell after the Little Hours, she found two flowers on the table and many petals of
roses scattered over the bed where Sister Teresita was, and also on the floor.

On August 30th after supper when the Mother led Sister Teresita to her stool to
attend recreation, as she was about to sit, she immediately jumped and told her
Mother: Someone is on the chair! The Mother did not see anyone. Afterwards,
Sister Teresita directed herself towards the invisible person (it was invisible to both
as Sister Teresita was still blind). It was the voice of the Lady, and a conversation
ensued between the two. The Mother could hera Sister Teresita but not the other
one. The recreation lasted for an hour but before leaving, the Lady allowed Sister
Teresita to kiss her feet.

The next day, Sister Teresita passed her recreation hearing the canticle of the
angels. Once telling her Mother, she recalled the following verses:

Now we shall not remain for long

50

That is why we shall sing a beautiful song

To our very dear little friend
Who with us will be in heaven.

She loves tenderly Our Lord

So with His Mother, the Virgin Mary.
Not all that she asks will be granted
Because they will be delicately selected.

On September first at noon, the Lady came again. Sister Teresita heard her
voice but she doubted if she came from heaven or form the enemy, as she asked
several times who she was and received no response.

To test it, Sister Teresita

pronounced the Holy Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And the Lady answered: I love
that name very much. Hence, the postulant once more asked who was the Lady. If
you do not like to give me your name, at least tell me the first letter to it, insisted
Sister Teresita. I will give you three letters, not only one. And immediately after the
Angelus at noon, the Lady said: I am B.V.M. (Blessed Virgin Mary)

On the First Friday of September, Sister Teresita suffered much. The pinpricks
were often, but the Mother Prioress was consoled greatly as she heard the voice
repeating that Sister Teresita would recover her sight on the seventh when her
Mother Prioress kisses her eyes.

The next day, Saturday, September 4, at five in the afternoon, a little more or
less after Sister Teresita kissed the feet of the Crucifix, she heard a sweet voice that
told her: You will always be my daughter so suffer much for me. On Sunday at three

51

of that day, the Mother learned that the postulant would have additional pains for
the salvation of a sinner, and so it was fulfilled.

The next morning after the Little Hours, the Mother and Sister Teresita went
to the Parlor to greet His Excellency, the Auxiliary Bishop, and in his presence, the
Mother kissed the eyes of the postulant and immediately after the act, she recovered
her sight.

On September 9 at five in the afternoon, Sister Teresita fell in a trance and saw
herself walking in a path filled with thorns and thistles. After a short distance, they
disappeared (the thorns) and she went up a stairway covered with roses. Angels were
on both sides and on arriving on top, she found a multitude of angels and saints who
smiled at her.

On September 11, Sister Teresita saw a beautiful bluebird in the garden. She
noted that it flew towards the jazmin (jasmine), took a flower, and carried it on its
beak. She went up to her cell and was greatly surprised when she saw the bird enter
through the window and leave the little flower at the feet of the image of our blessed
virgin.

In the afternoon of that same day, Sister Teresita had a trance and she saw a
very beautiful garden. The Lady was taking a walk by her side. In the garden there
were many beautiful flowers and many birds of different colors and among them, she
saw some like the bluebird. In the middle of the garden there was a fount, and in the
center was the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The water, red, flowed from the
pierced side of the Heart. The Lady and Sister Teresita sat at the border of the fount.

The Lady gave counsel to Sister Teresita: to be good, obedient, humble and
simple. Why, Mother dear, yesterday when I saw you in the sala you did not tell me
52

anything? queried Sister Teresita. Because I had no permission, answered the

Lady. How is that? You who are the Mother of God, do you still need permission?
answered Sister Teresita. Yes, my child, it is true I am His Mother, but my Son is
God, King, and Lord of all creatures, that is why I have to obey Him, answered the
Lady. Then she added: When your Mother I perplexed and does not know what to
do, tell her to pray one Ave Maria and I will help her.

The Apparitions

On September 12, Sunday, feast of the Holy Name of Mary at about five I the
afternoon, Sister Teresita went to the garden to take a walk as was counseled by her
Mother. She went towards the jazmin to see where the bird had taken the flower. On
arriving nearby, she noted that a vine was moving, and as there was no wind, she was
surprised very much and she approached it. She heard the voice of the lady who told
her: Do not fear, my child! Kiss the ground. All that I tell you, you must obey. For
fifteen consecutive days, come visitme in this spot. Eat a little grass, my child. Sister
Teresita told her Mother all that had happened and she asked permission to obey the
Lady.

Having obtained permission, the following day at the same hour, Sister
Teresita returned to the same place of the garden. She knelt and began to say the Ave
Maria.

On reaching the words full of grace, the vine moved, and suddenly

appeared before her eyes a very beautiful Lady with hands clasped on her breast
with a golden rosary hanging from her right hand. She was a bit inclined. Her dress
was very white, very simple, and around her cincture a narrow belt was tied. Her
bare feet were resting on clouds about two feet from the ground. She was radiant
with beauty, and was smiling. Be faithful to come here in this place even if it is
raining, she told Sister Teresita. The postulant asked: Beautiful Lady, who are
you? I am your Mother, my little one, and having said it, she disappeared.

53

On Tuesday, September 14 at 5:15 in the afternoon, Sister Teresita returned to

the place. The Lady was already there waiting for her. Her arms extended as though
desiring to embrace her little one with a maternal embrace. I would like this place
to be blessed tomorrow, she said. At the hour that your Mother Prioress likes, my
child, said the Lady, I prohibit you to forget the incidents of these fifteen days, and
blessing the postulant, the Lady disappeared.

The next day, the Mother received instructions about the blessing of that part
of the garden. The Chaplain of Carmel, His Excellency, Monsignor Alfredo Ma.
Obviar, was to enter to bless it and that the Community should be present. The Lady
said she had a message for the Community.

In the instructions to the Mother

Prioress, it is said that the Bishop and the Community had to cast down their eyes,
and that after the blessing, the Bishop should preach to the Sisters about the message
of the Lady. During the preaching, the Mother should not separate herself from
Sister Teresita, because according to the instructions, she would faint and would not
be able to breath so that the Community may see how much she is suffering. All
these instructions and other things that the Mother gathered and received were
unknown to the postulant; she was not aware about it, and many times when her
Mother seemed to anticipate what was going to happen, she gets very surprised.

The blessing of the nook was done at 3:2o in the afternoon of September 15.
the Auxiliary Bishop went with rochette and stole, and the Community followed to
the place. On arriving at the place, Sister Teresita saw the Lady with extended arms
as though desiring to embrace all with her maternal embrace. As soon as Sister
Teresita knelt before her, she said: My child, kiss the ground and eat a little grass.
Take paper and pencil and write down what I will tell you for the Community.

The following is her message:

My daughters:
54

1. I ask you believe in Me and to guard this as a deep secret among yourselves
until I tell you to do otherwise.
2. Love one another as true Sisters.
3. Come frequently to visit me in this place. Love much your Mother Prioress.
Your little Sister is suffering much, but no one knows except your Mother. Do
not envy your little Sister because she suffers much. All these are only for my
daughters in Carmel, not for people outside, that is why I prevent you to tell
this to anyone. Make this a sacred place and gather the petals, my children.
Respect the place. I would like this Carmel to be called Carmel of Our Lady. I
bless the whole Community.
And looking towards her little one, she added, Eat a little grass and ground, my
child. After this, the Lady disappeared.

At five of that afternoon, Sister Teresita returned to the place of the

apparition,and the Lady was already there waiting.

My child, I have many things to tell you. Do you permit me to write them, my
Mother?

asked Sister Teresita.

With permission, Sister Teresita wrote her

words.

I will ask something from Carmel. I would like a statue of mine to be place here,
to clean this part of your garden so that it will be a real place of prayer. You do
not need to tell me all that your Sisters are asking because I know them already.
Tell them they have to believe, or else they will lose grace. I shall bless the
Community always, my child.

On the 16th, the Lady said:

55

My little one, you suffered much last night because two of my daughters are not
pleased to have me here. They were doubting and do not like to believe. I would
like my statue to be placed in this place. I would like you to describe me to your
Chaplain because I want the statue to be as you see me, and as big as the statue
of Our Lady of Lourdes that is in the cloister. Tell your Mother Prioress to say
the rosary here with the Community everyday in the afternoon during these
days.

On the 7th of October, I would like a Mass to be said here in my honor,

and if

possible, that the statue be here on that day. Give to all my daughters

my

motherly love. Tell them that I love all my daughters in the Carmel of

Lipa, that I

will always be with you all.

The next day, the 17th, the following message was given by the Lady:

I ask you to kneel before your Mother and ask her pardon for the many bad
thoughts you had of her for the care she has bestowed on my little one.

My child, tell your Mother to permit you to recount some incidents that happened
to you to your dear Sisters because they would like to know something more. I
can read it from their hearts.

One of my daughters is still doubting. She must believe if she desires to obtain
peace of soul and for the love of my Son, Jesus Christ.

On the eighteenth, the Lady did not appear. Sister Teresita only heard her voice
that said:

56

I am very sad. My Son Jesus Christ gave to each one of you a free will. I can not
force you to believe. I only told you to believe because I love you and I would not
like you to lose graces. Take care of the temptations of the devil. Time will come
when you will be able to reveal all these to your confessors and to your parents.

On the 19th, the Lady appeared. Her words were:

I was very much consoled by your tears and your compassionate hearts, my dear
daughters. I hope you will always share my sorrows and my joys. Take care of the
devils, my dear daughters. Tell me if what I asks is difficult to give.

My children who believe in me, do not refuse graces that are offered to you.

My daughter, do not tempt my children who believe in me. If what I ask you is
difficult, then this is what I ask of you: do not tempt, child. My little one, your
sister is well and has no physical defect, that is why, child, think it over and reflect.
Time will come when you will see all clearly. I know that you are still in darkness.
I do not oblige you to believe, my child.

On the 20th, the Lady appeared but she did not give any message to her little one.

On the 21st, the following were her words:

Pray, pray, pray for a soul, my dear daughters! I ask you to honor me on Saturdays
especially in the following devotions.*

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1. Our Lady of Mount Carmel

2. Our Lady of the Snow
3. Our Lady of the Holy Rosary
4. Our Lady of Perpetual Help
5. Immaculate Heart of Mary
6. Our Lady of the Abandoned and Refuge of Sinners
7. Our Lady of Lourdes
8. Our Lady of Peace and good Voyage
9. Our Lady of Good Counsel
10. Holy Name of Mary
11. Our Lady of Loretto
12. Our Lady of Remedy
13. The Seven Dolors
I give you my blessing and motherly love to my dear daughters.

To my daughter who does not believe in me, I do not oblige to believe, child. However,
it is enough for you and for me, and it will not be disagreeable for me if you do not
believe. But do not laugh at nor despise my sacred place and my words which really
come from my heart, child. I know the place does not please you, nor do you wish to
hear my message, but you are obliged by obedience, child. That is why your incredulity
is enough, child. Do not despise my sacred place nor my words. This may be my last
message for you. my message for you. My message for the Community everyday is for
you all, child. But I do not oblige you to hear nor to obey it is you do not like because
you have your free will.

My daughters, I leave you my motherly love and my blessing.

On the 22nd, the message that Sister Teresita received was directed to the Mother
Prioress:

58

My daughter,

You will find on your table a note that you will read to the Community. I do not like
my little one to hear it, if possible. Receive my motherly blessings.

The Mother found the following note on her table:

Your little Sister will be blind again on October 7. have patience with her; do not
envy her because aside from her blindness, she will have yet to suffer terribly which
your Mother only knows. Pray for her to have patience. Her sufferings and sight are
necessary for the salvation of souls.

On the 23rd, this was the message of the Lady:

Beloved daughters of mine:

I blessed your rosaries and I hope you will always be faithful to use it. I heard your
conversation during recreation and really I ask you all to be humble and simple. I love
much these two virtues, and that is why you, too, should love it. I love sincerely all of
you, and so I shall always speak to you as a mother.

My child, tell your Mother to decide it herself as she is the Prioress.

I shall be with her.

59

On the 24th the Lady said: My child, you do not need to tell me all that my dear
daughters are asking because I know them already.

Afterwards, she gave some

particular message to the Sisters. At the end she said: Receive my motherly love and
my blessing for all, dear daughters of mine. Be all very good.

On the 25th, the Lady told the following: I wish you all to consecrate yourselves to
me on October 7 and be my slaves.

On the 26th, Sunday the last o the fifteen days that she asked, the Lady appeared at
the usual hour and repeated to her little one her motherly counsels.

My child, you have to obey and love always your Mother Prioress. Tell your Sisters to
love one another as true sisters, to be humble and simple because humility and
simplicity are the two virtues I love most. Tell them to love and obey their Superiors
and not to forget the things that I ask. I would like a Mass to be said here every 12 th of
the month if that is possible. I do not ask high things from you as you all believe
because you are my little ones. Do not forget to consecrate your selves to me on
October 7. be very good. I am MARY, MEDIATRIX OF ALL GRACE. I will bless the
Community morning and evening.

On the 30th of September, petals were showered in the cells of the nuns. On
the first of October, First Friday, sister Teresita suffered much the whole day;
pinpricks of pins were felt throughout her body, and suffocation.

On October 3rd after Holy Mass, as Sister Teresita was going to her cell, she
perceived a strong perfume of roses at the feet of the stairs, and suddenly, without
seeing the hand that was scattering them, she saw petals that fell of the steps of the
stairs before her. The invisible hand scattered it until the cell. Sister Teresita got

60

frightened as she was no one, hence she saw the petals. She called the Sisters leaving
Sister Teresita in the cell.

When the Community arrived, they saw Sister Teresita kneeling

in her

conversing with someone invisible to the rest. After a short time, Sister Teresita
made the sign of the cross and kissed the floor. The Mother asked her with whom
she was speaking, and the postulant simply told it was Our Lady and Saint Teresita
who came to visit her to greet her for her feast. After breakfast which Teresita had to
take as she was a postulant, being alone with her Mother, the postulant was
surrounded by thirty little angels who greeted her with their trumpets and songs, it
being her feast day.

At last came the 7th of October, feast of the Most Holy Rosary. The Mass was
said in the hermitage of the Apparitions by the Chaplain of Carmel, Monsignor
Alfredo Ma. Obviar. There were no other persons (from outside) besides him. before
Mass, His Excellency told Sister Teresita to ask from the Blessed Virgin a sign by
which he may believe that she, the Virgin, was present in the hermitage. After Mass,
the Community made their Act of Consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary,
according to the spirit of Saint Grignon de Monfort. After, Sister Teresita made one
step forward and spoke to a person invisible to the rest. After a while, she made the
sign of the cross three times, she stood up with the head slightly inclined, and then
reclined towards the Mother Prioress who was by her side. Mother, the Lady after
speaking to me, made the sign of the cross each of me eyes and now I can see no
more. She told me that my blindness is the sign for our Chalpain to believe that she
is here. On leaving the hermitage, Sister Teresita could not walk by herself ; she
was touching the place as she walked, hence, the Mother had to guide her until her
cell. At the same time, her left arm was paralyzed.

On the eve of the Maternity of Our Lady, 10th of October, petals were showered
in the choir at the feet of the statue of Our Holy Mother Saint Teresa. On the 13 th
after Mass, the Mother heard a voice that said: Before the Little Hours, kiss the eyes
61

of your child and she will recover her sight. Now is the 13 th, the day of my first
apparition, and in honor of this I shall return the sight of your child. The left arm
was restored, too.

On the 15th of October, feast of Saint Teresa of Jesus, second Patroness of the
Carmel of Lipa, petals were showered n the hermitage of the Apparitions and on
reaching the floor, they fell in the form of a cross.

On the 24th of October, there was a Investiture in Carmel. On the early

morning of this day, the fortunate novice found petals scattered in her cell.

The next day, the Mother received a notice by a voice that Sister Teresita, by
the ardent love she had for Jesus and Mary, would lose her senses several time
during the day. That same night, Sister Teresita saw the Hearts of Jesus and Mary
burning with flames of love and in the middle, she saw her little heart that burned,
likewise, pressed between the two Hearts.

On the 27th after Mass, Sister Teresita fell unconscious. She felt a terrible heat
in her heart, and said to her Mother that it was as though she had a stove on her
breast, and felt heart burning.

Before coming back to her senses, she saw the

Immaculate Heart of Mary pierced with a sword. After the Holy Rosary in the
afternoon of the same day, Sister Teresita lost once more her senses, and in the midst
of her sufferings due to the burning heat that encompassed her breast, she saw the
Immaculate Heart of Mary with only six swords and her own pierced by one.

On the 26th, she passed a whole sleepless night. In the middle of the night, she
saw her heart pierced by seventh there was a small paper that said: That you may
suffer more for Jesus, leave your Carmel! The mere thought of leaving her beloved
Convent was as a sword that traversed her heart. Her Mother understood that this
62

thought was a moral suffering that was most pleasing! But without waiting longer,
another message was received which said: That is possible. If you do not receive
another, advise send her out on the 13 th of November. The sorrows of Mother and
child could well be understood!

On the afternoon of the 28 th at 4:30, Sister Teresita fell unconscious. During

the three hours, she suffered 33 attacks of intense physical pain as though her breast
was burning and her heart aflame. She also suffered actually with the thought that
she had to go back to the world which persecuted her incessantly. Before recovering
herself, the Blessed Virgin consoled her, telling her to ask the sisters to pray much
because there will be persecution, and to pray much for priests.

In the following days, Sister Teresita suffered unconsciousness. Etc. On the 2 nd

of November after one of her attacks (unconsciousness), she saw innumerable souls
who, with Saint Peter at the head, left the fires of Purgatory and went up to heaven.
Saint Peter had keys and a cock.

On the First Friday, November 5, Sister Teresita was dismayed two or three
minutes before 12:00 at noon. Exactly at 12:00, she began to suffer the suffering of
Our Lord on the Cross. The Mother and a Sister were the only ones who were
present at this first time. They could easily follow the Seven Last words. The
postulant was with extended arms and her feet crossed as if crucified. On the First
Word, Sister Teresita looked heavenwards and she moved her head from one side to
the other: Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. At internals
between the words, sister Teresita rocked from one side to another, but her hands and
feet remained fixed in their original position. The Mother and the Sister present
tried to move and redouble her extended arms and to move her feet from the other,
but it was impossible! They were rigid and heavy that it was not possible to change
the position. On the Second Word, Sister Teresita turned her face towards the right
side and then smiled. At the Third Word, she looked downward on one side and
then to the other. The pains of thirst lasted about seven minutes more or less. The
63

tongue went out of the mouth and the lips seemed to be white with thirst. The taste
of the gall and vinegar was depicted on her countenance as though it were something
sour and bitter. The Fifth Word, My God, my God, why hast Thou forsake Me?
was depicted with the movements of the head, the expression of the countenance was
as though she was on the lookout for someone very dear. The Sixth, she lifted her
head and eyes heavenwards with an expression of satisfaction: All is consummated.
Then began the death rattle. She could not breathe, the throat sounded as those of
the agonizing, the head moved from one side to the other. The knees were raised
somewhat, which gave the impression that the body hanging on the two nails of the
hands was being pulled down by its own weight while the feet remained fixed
9nailed); the knees were recollected a little. At exactly three oclock, after a brief look
heavenwards, Sister Teresita reclined her head towards the right side and she
remained quiet! After a short while, she was again conscious. Her limbs and bones
pains as though after a quarrel. The Mother asked what she felt during those three
hours. Sister Teresita answered that she neither saw nor heard those around her, but
she felt really all the pains as thoug crucified on the cross.

At six in the afternoon of the same day, Sister Teresita was once more
unconscious. The Mother, while speaking with her, mentioned the love of Jesus for
souls and this made her lose consciousness. Afterwards, the Mother heard the voice
that told her to call the Community. When the Sisters arrived, they witnessed the
Crucifixion briefly as within an hour, the postulant passed all the dolors of Our Lord
on the Cross.

On the 7th of November, Sunday, Sister Teresita was visited by her family.
Since her entrance in Carmel, they always pleaded with sighs and prayers for her
return to their paternal home. This same day, her parents, with tears and on their
knees, begged her to have pity on them and not to leave them so alone. As it was not
yet possible to reveal the secret, Sister Teresita could not tell anything to her parents
of what was happening in Carmel, that is why she had great difficulty to convince
them to allow her at least to finish her postulancy, and that she would think it over
and pray much to know what was the will of God.
64

After all, she was still on

probation, and the little note with the terrifying message could not be erased from
her mind! Sister Teresita and the Mother Prioress remained for a while in the parlor.
Sister Teresita lost consciousness and incidentally, an Out-Sister was on the other
side of the grille. The Mother called and gave an order to call the Chaplain, who just
finished the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, so that His Excellency, with the
four Out-Sisters, could please be present at the parlor. When the five arrived, Sister
Teresita was already in cross-form! The Crucifixion lasted for an hour, more or less.

At last came the 9th of November, the day when the Carmel in the Philippines
celebrated its Silver Jubilee. Early in the morning after Mass, the Sisters found rose
petals scattered at the feet of Our lady of Fatima. The Mother heard the voice that
said that as a gift for the Silver Jubilee of the Carmel, Sister Teresita would no longer
leave, and that the Blessed Virgin gave to all her motherly blessing. She repeated
that we be all good, humble, obedient and simple, and to love one another.

The next day during the Little Hours, Sister Teresita fainted and had the
sufferings which lasted for three hours. At about five in the afternoon, petals were
showered outside of the Monastery, at the entrance of the former provisional chapel.
Some persons saw it. The Postulant suffered the Crucifixion between 6 and 7 P.M.

On Thursday, November 12, a Mass was celebrated at the Hermitage of the

apparitions. The Community alone was present. After the Mass, Sister Teresita
heard a voice of an Angel that said that the Blessed Virgin was waiting for her in the
place of the Apparitions. The postulant stood up and she approached the vine.
There was the Lady waiting, radiant with light but somewhat sad. People do not
believe my words. Pray, my child, pray much because there will be persecution. Pray
for priests. What I ask here is exactly what I asked at Fatima. Tell this to the bishop
and to the people. They do not like to believe in me and do not give what I ask. Tell
the Sisters that I ask them to pray and to help propagate my devotion, to do penance
for those who do not believe. When people come to ask me directly and not through
you. all these can be revealed already. this is my last Apparition in this spot. And
65

blessing sister Teresita and the Community, Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace
disappeared.

L.D.V.M.

66

THE VERDICT

We, the undersigned Archbishops and Bishops, constituting for the

purpose a special Commission, having attentively examined and
reviewed the evidence and testimonies collected in the course of
repeated, long and careful investigations, have reached the unanimous
conclusion and hereby officially declare that the above mentioned
evidence and testimonies exclude any supernatural intervention in the
reported extraordinary happenings--- including the shower of petals
--- at the Carmel of Lipa.

Manila, April 11, 1951

(Signed) Gabriel M. Reyes

(Signed) Cesar M. Guerrero

Archbishop of Manila

Bishop of San Fernando

(Signed) Mariano Madriaga

(Signed) Juan Sison

67

Bishop of Lingayen

Auxiliary

Bishop

of

Nueva

Segovia

(Signed) Rufino Santos

(Signed) Vicente Reyes

Apostolic Administrator of Lipa

Auxiliary Bishop of

Manila

Manila, 11 April 1951

Concordat cum originali:

(Signed) Egidio Vagnozzi
Apostolic Nuncio

Diocese of Lipa
Lipa City, Batangas
68

Decree

Having been declared by the Special Commission composed of

several members of the Philippine Hierarchy that, after long, repeated
and careful investigations, the evidences and testimonies on the
matter exclude any supernatural intervention in the reported
extraordinary happenings --- including the shower of petals --- at the
Carmel of Lipa, I, the undersigned Apostolic Administrator of Lipa
Diocese, in keeping with Decree-Statement of the said Episcopal
Commission, BY THESE PRESENT LETTERS dispose and order:

1) No petals nor water should be given out to anyone;

2) The statue of Our Lady (actually in the church) should be retired
from public veneration;
3) All out-sisters must be admitted within the enclosure for the time
being, excepting Sr. Elizabeth, who shall remain outside to attend
to the needs of the Community; and finally
4) All visits are suspended temporarily, no letters will be allowed,
until final decision on the matter will come from the Holy See.

City of Lipa, April 12, 1951

69

Signed:
Rufino J. Santos, D.D.
Apostolic Administrator
Sede Vacante

LETTER OF CARDINAL OTTAVIANI CONCERNING THE STATUS OF

MOTHER CECILIA AND MOTHER MARY ANNE
ADDRESSED TO THE MOST REVEREND FATHER
ANASTACIO OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,
PRIOR GENERAL OF THE DISCALCED CARMELITES

Protocol Number 220/49

September 26, 1962

Your Most Reverend Father sent to this Supreme Sacred Congregation a

letter from the Prioress of the Carmelite Convent of quezon City (Philippines),
70

which inquired whether the Sisters, Mother Mary Cecilia and Mother Mary
Anne of Jesus ought to remain temporarily or permanently in the said
Convent. At the same time, the same Prioress asked whether the Convent of
Lipa would be prevented from holding the canonical elections.

In relation to this, I wish to communicate to You that from this Holy

Office, we gather that on the 19th of February 1953, the then Apostolic
Delegate, Monsignor Vagnozzi, had been authorized to admit candidates to
the novitiate and to simple or solemn profession in accordance with the norms
of the Code of Canon Law and of the particular Constitutions of Carmel,
provided that they be informed of the judgment and the decisions made about
the happenings in Lipa. [emphasis mine]

In this particular case, then, and with the letter of this Supreme Sacred
Congregation dated 29 December 1959, it has been communicated to Your
Reverence that the abovementioned Sisters implicated in the presumed
extraordinary happenings at Lipa be rehabilitated in their position as Choir
members, but permanently deprived of both active and passive voice.
[emphasis mine]

Inasmuch as there exist no other data in the Archives of the Holy office [emphasis
mine], Your Reverence can consult the Sacred Congregation for the Religious for
whatever future official decisions.

Testimony of
71

Fr. Lorenzo Ma. Guerrero, S.J.

AFFIDAVIT

I, Fr. Lorenzo Ma. Guerrero, S.J., of legal age, residing in Sta. Ana
Manila, after being sworn to upon oath, depose and state:

1. That the Philippines Catholic Hierarchy issued the following

Official Statement in the year 1951:
We, the undersigned Archbishops and Bishops, constituting for the
purpose a special Commission, having attentively examined and
reviewed the evidence and testimonies collected in the course of
repeated, long and careful investigations, have reached the unanimous
conclusion and hereby officially declare that the above mentioned
evidence and testimonies exclude any supernatural intervention in the
reported extraordinary happenings--- including the shower of petals
--- at the Carmel of Lipa.

Manila, April 6,
1951

72

(Signed) Gabriel M. Reyes --- Archbishop of Manila

(Signed) Cesar M. Guerrero --- Bishop of San Fernando
(Signed) Mariano Madriaga --- Bishop of Lingayen
(Signed) Rufino Santos --- Apostolic Administrator of Lipa
(Signed) Juan Sison --- Auxiliary Bishop of Nueva Segovia
(Signed) Vicente P. Reyes --- Auxiliary Bishop of Manila

2. That while my uncle, Bishop Cesar Guerrero, was still alive, I heard
from his lips that he signed the above Official Statement under
duress.
3. That the said Bishop had expressed his personal belief in the fact
of the apparitions of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace in the
Carmelite Convent of Lipa during the year of 1948.
In witness whereof, I hereunto sign this sworn statement this 11 th day
of February, 1990 in the City of Manila, Philippines.

(Signed) Lorenzo Ma. Guerrero, S.J.

Witnesses:

H. Mandadero
73

Amelia Kison

APRIL 17, 2005 Lipa, Phillipines

74

Pastoral Letter from Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, DD, STL

Their Eminences and Excellencies, the reverend Fathers, Religious and Concerned People of God:
While I was being considered to become the Archbishop of Lipa, I knew that my being SERVUS,
ANCILLAE FILIUS (I and Your Servant, the son of Your handmaid, Wisdom 9:5; Ps ll6 :16 ) would be
both asset and liability. Being an avowed devotee of the Blessed Virgin Mother, I would shepherd a
deeply Marian Archdiocese. The same Archdiocese however is the site of a supposed apparition of
Our Lady in the late forties and the early fifties, an event that has caused long-term pain to so many
and yet faithfully endured without anyone in the least alienated from Holy Mother Church, an event
the interest in which saw resurgence in the western part of the Archdiocese.
Some spread the word that the present archbishop of Lipa shows inclination to approve of the socalled apparitions. Others, mostly lay people would exert friendly pressure on the archbishop out of
his attachment to the Blessed Mother to declare the apparitions authentic. Still others, however, would
refrain joining organized prayer assembly with Mary, principally under the title MEDIATRIX OF ALL
GRACE, without any word from the Archbishop of Lipa. This is the WHY of this DECLARATION.
1. I will no longer keep it secret, whatever the consequences may be, that personally I never doubted
the Lipa apparitions that took place in the early years of my childhood. As I grew up later as a
seminarian, young priest and then bishop, even now as archbishop I would always find solace, peace
and strength in spending time praying before the image of Our lady in the Carmel of Lipa. It is to her
that I always I entrust my mission and seek solutions to my problems. But I will never question any
decision made by the official church regarding the matter. Nor do I intend to create unnecessary
controversy by reopening issues that should better remain quiet for no matter how long a time.
2. Many devotees come to Carmel and other places in the Archdiocese of Lipa. Bishops and priests are
asked to join in their devotions and prayers . All of them sincerely care for our country and people and
most of all for our church. I get invited at times too. I make myself available especially during the First
Saturday Penitential Procession and Eucharist. I see no problem in joining or even initiating prayer
assemblies for specific intentions like peace in our land and in the whole world, most of all I ask the
faithful to pray for the sanctity of all bishops and priests. In fact, I encourage that prayer gatherings be
held everywhere and anywhere in the Archdiocese to implore God through the intercession of Mary
to strengthen the Church, sanctify her ministers and unite all peoples so that Gods Kingdom of Peace,
Unity and Love may be realized starting in our "Pueblo Amante Maria."
3. Some devout people promote the devotion to Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace. I have no objection to
this beautiful Marian title as well as the image and devotion that go with it. I encourage these
devotees and they have my blessing. I will even join all organized prayers for the conversion of
sinners, the sanctification of all priests, the accomplishment of the mission of the Philippines to be the
launching pad of evangelization in Asia. I am convinced, like many of these Marian followers, that our

75

country is chosen by God, particularly loved by Mary, because Christ trusts that the Catholic Church
in the Philippines will bring about "the new springtime of faith" also in other nations and will
become a "great evangelization factor in the Third Millennium." I am convinced about what many
others have told me: You Filipinos are the Missionaries of the Third Millennium. That explains why
with Mary caring for us we have become known as the most prayerful and cheerful people. Allow me
therefore to tell all my brothers in the episcopate, all priests and religious, all the faithful that I DO
STRONGLY ENCOURAGE ANYONE WHO DRAW OTHERS TO A MARIAN ATTACHMENT TO
JESUS . I SUPPORT ANY INITIATIVE TO STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH BY A RENEWAL OF OUR
FAITH AND PRAYER WITH MARY ALL FOR JESUS! (Underscoring mine -Deedee) Thank you for
the attention you can give this declaration.

76

Teresita Castillo

Mother Mary Cecilia of Jesus O.C.D

Visionary

Prioress of Lipa Carmel 1946-50

Monsignor Alfredo Verzosa

Monsignor Alfredo Obviar

Bishop of Lipa 1916-50

Auxiliary Bishop and Chaplain of Carmel

Mother Mary Anne Cuna

Mother Theresa Ma Mere of Jesus

Infirmarian of Carmel

The Foundress of Carmel in the Philippines

77

Healings
Mrs. Maria Socorro Cosme Mendoza-Dichoso
Socorro Mendoza Dichoso was bron to Dr. Telesforo
Mendoza and Rosario Cosme on Decemebr 1948, at the
height of the celebrated rose showers, The Baby had a soft
swelling, on the left side of her head which increase size as
time passed. Subsequent X-rays taken by Dr. Paulino Garcia
revealed a hole in the childs skull, more than 2 inches in
diameter, causing her cranial membrances to protrude.
Their only protective covering was the scalp. In medical
terms, it was dignoased as a case of
36

Deficient ossification of the cranium with consequent

protrusion of the membranescontaining cerebro-spinal
fluid
Dr. Mendoza told his wife that the case was very serious and
that the only remedy lay is sending the infant for treatment
abroad. Mrs. Rosario Mendoza began a novena to Our Lady,
Mediatrix of all Grace. Socorro in the meantime grew worse
and on January 28,1949, she fell into a deep stupor, which
her father feared was a symptom of meningitis
And at around 4 o clock in the afternoon. Socorro had no life
anymore then Mrs. Mendoza put a petal in her head
afterwards. Dr. Mendoza looked at the child then Oh, look
78

its no more!. With the petal there, the brain receded and
than Mr & Mrs. Mendoza took the infant to Dr. Paulino
Garcia for the X-ray. And then Dr. Garcia said What did
you do and when X-ray had finished . they found that the
hole in the head of Socorro had Disappeared
The copies of Socorros X-rays are no longer with the
Mendozas. They were supposedly sent to rome to
substantiate the authenticity of the events at Lipa

Rosalina Fundan
On the 17th of February 1949, a 5-month-old baby, Rosalina
Fundan 38 was brought to the clinic of Dr. Ricardo
Raymundo of San Pablo City, Laguna. Suffering from
conclusions and a distended abdomen, her condition had
deteriorated so much that her pulse vanished completely.
When Medication failed, the doctor then thought of applying
a Carmel petal on the childs abdomen, and after twelve
minutes, her pulse returned to normal. Dr. Raymunso stated
that he is inclined to believe that this ia a supernatural cure

Thelma Romero
In May 1949, Dr. Florentina Romero of Laguna applied a
petal to her 8 month old Daughter Thelma,39 who suffered
from a case of intestinal obstruction. The doctor also began a
Novena to Our Lady Mediatrix of all grace. The child was
scheduled for operation, but the attending physician the last
79

moment decided not to proceed for Thelma apparently

recovered and the mass which had begun to form vanished

Sr. Melania Maria Sunga

Melania Ma. Sunga was born in 1940 with a deformed right
foot, the sole of which was curled up, in er own word, like
the cooked shrimps her mother had been fond of. Her foot
was so deformed that she was never able to wear a pair of
shoes or slippers; moreover, her leg had atrophied,
shortened, and from disuse, wasted away to almost skin and
bone. She moved about by jumping and limping and was
seen by the entire town as she painfully made her way to
school.
In 1949, when Melania was only 9 years old, her uncle, now
Monsignor Edmundo Abaya, then still a seminarian, brought
the family a bottle of water which had been placed overnight
beside the image of Mary Mediatrix at Carmel Lipa. Mrs.
Sunga a daily church-goer, offered prayers and sacrifice and
rubbed her Daughters Crooked foot. With the water of
Lipa. One Morning Melania awoke and walk to the
Bathroom. One of her brother saw Melania that she can
walk. Her family was amazed seeing that Melanias crooked
right foot had straightened. Priest, religious and strangers
had visit the Sunga Home to see the Child who had healed
by a water of Lipa. Some days later neighbors remark the
Fragrance of flowers in the air and then amaze a showers of
petals in the sunga home. Today Melania went into a
religious life at the Religious of the Assumption
80

A Story of Fr. Martin Casey S.J.

On December 24, 1950. A local magazine40 carried an article
by Fr. Martin Casey S.j., then head of the chemistry
department of the Jesuit-run Ateneo University. In it he
relates that after administering the last sacraments to a girl
dying of cerebral hemorrhage in Misamis Oriental, he
applied a Lipa Petal to her forehead and upon the rimnging
of the Angelus Bell, the girl suddenly emerged from her deep
stupor, as if nothing had happen

Dominga Arellano
In February 1949, newspapers carried the story of Dominga
Arellano, a 56 year old crippled beggar, able to move arms
and legs, who claimed that after she pray before the Image
at Carmel suddenly found she can stand and walk42

Raymond Julius Palmares

Luz Palmares, related the miraculous Healing of her Son
Raymond Julius who suffered from a mitral valve
,prolapsed, enlargement of the heart, and various other
vascular illnesses. Aside from that he had a left palate and
couldnt speak normally, His Mother began praying the
Novena to Mary Mediatrix. Hung a scapular and a petal on
her sons neck and in few months, his condition improved so
dramatically that the operation recommended by the doctors
was no longer necessary. And Julius Found he could speak
normally
81

Miracles
The Moving Statue of Mary Mediatrix of all Grace (1948)
The Moving statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (1991)
Rose Petal showers, of Russian species
Fragrance of Roses or Azucenas
Mystical Communion
Dancing Sun (1948 and 1993)
Reenactment of the Crucifixion
Apparition on a Coconut Tree, Granja District, Lipa
Apparition Above Sampaloc Lake, San Pablo, Lguna
Apparition of San Agustine Cathedral, Cagayan De Oro

Depositions from the files of the Marian

Research Center
82

Compiled by Mr. Francisco Dychangco of Batangas

Cure of Sister Melania Sunga,R.A . Assumption Convent, Pampanga
November 10, 1983
To whom it may concern:
This is to certify that I, sister Melania Maria Sunga, born in Candon, Ilocos Sur of
Mr. & Mrs. Graciano R. Sunga now belonging to the Religious of the Assumption
was born with defective right foot which was diagnosed by several physicians to be
incurable. From birth, December 31, 1949, I did not use any footwear until Our Lady
Mediatrix of All Grace cured me with the application of water brought from the
Carmelite Sisters of Lipa by an uncle, Edmundo M. Abaya who was then a
seminarian at the Central seminary of Sto. Tomas University , now an incumbent
Bishop of the Diocese of Laoag City. The water that was placed overnight near the
statue of our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace was rubbed by my mother without
applying pressure or massage over my foot. It took her a month and a half to do this
before my foot straightened. Right now I can use any type of footwear and I can
already walk like any normal person without limping or jumping as I used to do.
Report of Fr. Casey, S.J. ,Chief, Chemistry Dept., Ateneo
I didnt actually witness the shower of petals in Lipa, but I was lucky enough to own
a petal given to me by a sister from the Carmelite Convent I, for one, although a
priest, am more inclined to believe in the supernatural explanation of things, yet as a
man who has had a fair training in the scientific field, I had my doubts as to the
divine cause of those petal shower.
. One afternoon, at about 5:30, I was in my chapel, when I was approached by one
of the janitors to announce that there was a man who wanted to see me Father I
have heard that you own a petal that can cure the sick. My daughter is very ill right
now. The doctors told us she is sure to dieI learned that the girl was suffering
from cerebral hemorrhage, and have been in some sort of stupor for quite a time.
The attending physician had given up all hope to save her I knelt at her bedside
and placed the petal on her cold forehead. She didnt stir. I administered the last
sacrament. All the people in that room fell on their knees and prayed with me, a hush
fell among the crowd as if in reverence to an Unknown Presence. Just as the Angelus
was ringing at exactly six 0 clock, the girl opened her eyes and stood up as if nothing
had happened and told me, Father I am now alright.
83

Cure and Conversion of Karatul A. Silbin

Ako ay si Karatul A. Silbin, 55 taong gulang, may asawa at limang anak. Ako ay isang
Muslim at tubong Jolo, Sulu. Taong 1990 nang ako ay mag simulang mag-ubo
Nagpunta ako sa Zamboanga at ang sabi ng doctor ako daw ay may cancer sa baga.
Sa tulong ng aking mga kamag-anak, ako ay pumunta sa MaynilaLimang beses sa
loob ng limang buwan ako nagpagamot. Lumiit ng kaunti ang bukol kayat sabi ng
duktor ay ipagpatuloy ko daw ang chemotherapy ngunit dahil naubos na rin ang dala
naming pera sa pangaraw-araw naming gastusin, hindi ko natuloy ang
pagpapagamot.Taong 1996, may isinuka na naman akong dugosabi ng doktor
na ang bukol ay lumaki ng isang sentimetro. Ako ay nawalan ng pag-asa
Bumalik ako ng Maynila.. Ngunit bago pa man ako pumunta sa duktor ay hinanap
muna namin si Fr. Corsie May nagsabi na nasa Lipa daw siya kayat kami ay
pumunta doon. Nang nasa malaking simbahan na kami, sabi ng isang tao doon,
matagal na daw na hindi pumupunta doon si Fr. Corsie pero baka alam daw ng nasa
Carmel . Pumunta kami sa Carmel pero hindi din nila alam kung saan tumitigil si Fr.
Corsie. Pero sabi ng isang out sister, bakit daw namin hahanapin pa si Fr. Corsie,
gayong nandoon naman ang Our Lady Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace, bakit hindi pa
kami tumuloy. Nang makapasok kami, nakaramdam kaagad ako ng ginhawa. Ako ay
nanalangin at humingi ng lakas ng loob. Humingi ako ng kapatawaran at
ipinagpaubaya ang aking buhay sa kanyaLumipas ang maraming araw ngunit
hindi ko nakakaligtaang tumawag sa kanya, at unti-unti kong naramdaman ang
kaginhawaan na hindi ko naramdaman sa mahabang panahon Noong Setyembre,
ako ay nagpa-x-ray at ipinakita ko ito sa duktor sa St. Lukes Medical center. Laking
tuwa ko ng sabihin sa akin ni Dr. Ang na wala na raw ang bukolAkala nga ng
duktor ako ay pinagaling ng chemotherapy ngunit ang hindi niya alam ay hindi na
naulit ang pagpapa-chemotherapy ko mula noong 1994 Ako ay taos pusong
nagpapasalamat sa kanya, sa Our Lady Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace dahil sa kanya
ako ay natutong magdasal sa harap ng Banal na Sacramento at paniwalaan ang
milagro ng Our Lady Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace.
(Sgd.) Karatul A. Silbin * Kalakip ang medical papers sa sulat na ito.

84

Excerpts from Wonders of Lipa by Dr.

Francisco Villanueva (1949)
Interview With Bishops Alfredo Verzosa and Alfredo Obviar
.Monsignor Obviar also told me that when he blessed the place hundreds of rose petals fell
around his feet, but he became so nervous and excited that he forgot to pick up some of them.
Later realizing his mistake, he had to ask a rose petal for his own use and safekeeping, as
heavenly souvenir, from the Mother Superior. (P. 22)
.In my interview with Bishop Versoza at the Episcopal palace, in Lipa, which took place on
Sunday, January 23, 1949, the Bishop told me, in the presence of my brother, Major Jose C.
Villanueva: Personally I believe in the Divine Apparitions. But as a bishop and dignitary of the
Holy Catholic Church, subject to the jurisdiction of His Holiness, the Pope, I cannot make any
decision hastily, thus I appointed a committee of theologians, headed by Father Angel de Blas,
rector of the University of Santo Thomas, to make a study on the theological aspects of the
case.
Is it true, Monsignor, I inquired, that when you went once to the Carmelite Monastery, the rose
petals fell on your feet? Yes, replied Bishop Alfredo Versoza. I was inside the locutory of the
Carmelite Monastery, and the windows and the doors were closed. When I was about to step out
of the door, outside, several petals fell on my feet, to my great surprise. I picked up some of
them. (P. 23)
Showers Of Rose Petals
When the sun is shining in its full brightness, and the sky is so pure that no spot of cloud
mars the whiteness of the space, the people around become aware of the coming of the divine
shower of heavenly rose petals, because they smell a special and extraordinary odor, which is
very distinct from the fragrance of any other flower in the Philippines or in the whole Far East
On February 26, 1949, at two-thirty in the afternoon there occurred one of the heaviest
miraculous showers on record, attended by a strong gust of wind and falling thickly over Carmel
and the adjacent Roxas garden, causing great flurry among thousands of witnesses(P. 7)
My sister-in-law, Mrs. Remedios Sian Villanueva also told me that on Sunday, February 26,
1949, at about six oclock in the evening she saw coming from heaven a rose petal, which was
flying in the airRemedios said that there was also another lady who saw that the rose petals
were turned into ashes, but she gathered the dust in a piece of paper and carried it home. When
she opened the parcel when she reached her house, she found out that the ashes were converted
again into rose petal. (P.12)

85

In spite of the fact that more than seven months already elapsed since September 12, 1948,
when for the first time took place the miraculous shower of rose petals however, these heavenly
small particles continue raining until now.(P. 57)
Miraculous Cures and Conversion Source: Wonders of Lipa
Conchita Dimayuga told me the story of the miraculous cure of her brother Jose M.
Dimayuga, who was dying, afflicted with the malady of hernia. After much arguing with the
family, instead of calling a physician, Conchita gave her brother a Carmelite petal, and asked him
to drink the water taken from the Carmelite cisterns. He was cured in less than two minutes. (P.
48)
A miraculous cure was also that of Juan Fabella, son of the late public welfare director, Jose
Fabella. His mother Esperanza Barcelon Fabella narrated that her son Johnny was deaf. When
the mother heard some of the miracles of Lipa, she and her son went there, and for many hours
had been praying before the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces.. On the next morning,
to her great surprise, when somebody called in the telephone of their house in Manila , Johnny
went to answer, and he could hear very well the phone message
Mrs. Gregoria Conlu, widow of the famous late physician Dr. Cornelio Mapa, of Iloilo City,
in a personal interview I had with her, she told me that few days before her departure for Manila,
she was suffering from appendicitis. The doctor advised me that there was a need of a surgical
operation, she narrated. My blood had 14,000 leukocytes after the test was made by the
physician. Then my nephew Juan Jamora, Jr. arrived in Iloilo after a pilgrimage in Lipa. Jamora
brought the famous Lipa water, taken from the depots of the Carmelite Monastery. I took and
drank part of the Carmelite water, and I rub my suffering limbs with the remaining water of the
bottle. Then I was cured to the great surprise of the doctor (P.51)

86

Significance of the Blessed Mothers Title

at Lipa
The Apparition at Lipa pronounced her title to be Mediatrix of All Grace while the title of
the liturgical feast instituted by Benedict XV in January 21, 1921 is Mediatrix of all graces.
The difference of the feast being in the plural and that of the title in Lipa being in the
singular is readily apparent.
Teresita Castillo, the seer of Lipa, affirms that ALL GRACE refers to Jesus.
Since grace is defined as a participation in the divine nature it is theologically correct to
refer to the source, the divinity itself as All Grace. Mary, a finite being, is full of the grace
she received, as a glass is full by the water poured into it. Since the fullness of the divinity is
in Jesus, Mary is therefore the Mediatrix of Jesus, the Mediatrix of All Grace
With this title from Our Lady of Lipa the focus is not so much on the benefits as on the
Benefactor Himself. Not so much as bringing us the tremendous and necessary graces of
salvation but giving us the Savior Himself.
Two millennia ago, she gave Christ in the flesh to the world. When God the Father gave
Jesus to Mary, the Blessed Mother received all of Jesus and because of her divine
maternity only Mary could give Jesus to the world. In the physical order it can be seen that
Mary the Mediatrix mediates Christ the One Mediator to men by incarnating the
Redeemer in her womb and giving birth to Him in the flesh.
In both the physical order and in the spiritual order Mary is indeed the Mediatrix of All
Grace who is no one else but Jesus Christ. If she can give us the one who is All Grace
she can surely and readily give us all His graces. Such is the understanding we derive from
the formulation Mediatrix of All Grace which is not gained from the title Mediatrix of
all graces. Mary mediates nothing else and nobody else but the Person of God Himself. By
being Mediatrix of all graces all those necessary graces to lead upright lives are
communicated to us so that Christ is formed in us.
St. Paul speaks of forming Christ among his followers (Galatians 4:19 ). Our priests are
like St. Paul in that they seek to form Christ among us, their spiritual children. And how is
Christ spiritually formed among Christians? By grace and by grace alone.
If St. Paul then can claim that he forms Christ among his flock, can she who is full of grace
not be capable of what St. Paul has done?
We then see a perfect alignment between the proposed dogma of universal Marian
mediation using the term All Grace which points to Christ being formed in us and the
teaching of the Church that we form the Mystical Body of Christ.
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Now to declare that she is Mediatrix of All Grace is to necessarily imply that she is at the
same time Mediatrix of all graces. To be able to give the Mediator is to be capable of giving
the graces He has. On the other hand it does not necessarily follow that if she is Mediatrix
of all graces she is also Mediatrix of All Grace.
If the phrase Mediatrix of All Grace is employed in defining the dogma, it will
encapsulate the thought that through Mary we are given both the Source of grace itself and
all graces that He deigns to grant us.
Theologians when they speak of the universal mediation of Mary invariably deal with
graces, gifts and benefits rather than on the Giver of these spiritual blessings. By invoking
her as Mediatrix of all graces we tend to see the means while when we call on her as
Mediatrix of All Grace we are led to see the end for which these very graces are given to us.
Lipa then appears to be a theological prompting from Heaven on what the title and
therefore what the actual words to be employed should be when the dogma of the
Mediatrix is defined. Perhaps it is heavens design that Lipas formulation prevail for it is
eminently and thoroughly Christocentric: It recognizes Marys mediation of the God-Man
in the physical order in the past and Her continuing mediation to mankind of Christ in the
spiritual order till the end of time.
Thus, when the dogma that Mary is the Mediatrix of All Grace is finally pronounced the
correspondence between He who is All Grace (Christ) and she who is full of grace (Mary) is
easily seen. The dogma understood properly from the data of Lipa is merely a recognition
of Mary replicating her role in the spiritual order what she accomplished in the physical
order 2,000 years ago.

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Did Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace, Appear in Lipa?

(In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lourdes, France, the
22nd Mariological Congress was held in Lourdes last September 2008. Archbishop Ramn
C. Argelles of Lipa was one of the speakers. This condensed version of his talk appeared
in the January-March 2008 issue of the Totus Tuus Maria magazine.)
It was during the episcopate of Bishop Alfredo Versoza (1916-1950), the first Filipino
bishop of Lipa and his auxiliary bishop, the then Msgr. Alfredo Obviar, the so-called
Marian Apparitions in the Monastery of Carmel in Lipa (founded 1946) took place.
Teresita Castillo celebrated her 21st birthday on July 4, 1948 by escaping early in the
morning at five from her fathers house to enter the Carmelite Monastery of Lipa. She is
the youngest of seven children of former Batangas Governor Modesto Castillo. At the time
of the apparitions, Teresitas father was the Judge of the Court of Industrial Relations. The
Castillos were very influential and distinguished both in the town of Tanauan and the whole
Batangas province.
Teresitas entrance into the monastery was not well received initially by the family, who
tried all means to get her back. Teresita steadfastly refused to return home, preferring to
follow Gods call. The trials of Teresing did not escape the devils interest. Satan tried to
draw her away from her chosen vocation. On the 31st of July, at fifteen past eight in the
evening, moment of great silence as observed by the Carmelite community, Teresita was
startled by knockings at her door. A male voice introduced himself as satan, while emitting
foul odor in her cell. The postulant would be subjected to such infernal visits several times
in the next days and weeks.
At around five in the afternoon of September 12, 1948, Feast of the Holy Name of Mary,
postulant Teresing Castillo saw the vine in the garden shake though there was no wind at
all. A womans voice was heard to say: Fear not my child. Kiss the ground. Whatever I tell
you to do, you must do. For fifteen consecutive days, come to visit me here in this spot. Eat
some grass, my child.
The next day, September 13, Monday, again at five in the afternoon, the postulant returned
to the place, knelt down and intended to say the Hail Mary. She has only recited until the
phrase Full of Grace when again the vine moved. A beautiful Lady appeared, her hands
clasped on her breast, a golden rosary hanging in her right hand, slightly stooping, her
dress was simple and pure white held in the waist by a narrow cloth belt. Her feet were
bare and resting on clouds about two feet above ground. Her face, indescribably beautiful,
was radiant.
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On September 14, Tuesday, the first shower of rose petals took place. Some nuns,
awakening early in the morning, found fresh rose-petals of exceptional sweetness, strewn
around their rooms or outside their quiet doors. Again at five in the afternoon, the Lady as
if enfolding the postulant in a tender maternal embrace said I wish this place to be blessed
tomorrow. At what time Mother? asked Teresing. Anytime your Mother prioress wants,
my child. I forbid you to forget the incidents of these fifteen days, the Lady said. Then she
disappeared.
Meantime, Mother Prioress decided to consult His Excellency, the Most Reverend Alfredo
Obviar, auxiliary bishop of Lipa and spiritual director of Carmel, on what to do with the
alleged apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The bishop instructed Mother Prioress to
tell Postulant Teresing to demand from the Blessed Virgin some proof that the apparition
was from heaven.
Days after the first shower of petals, total blindness afflicted the postulant. Mother Prioress
heard a voice telling her that the only way Teresings blindness would be healed was for her
to kiss the eyes of the postulant. Mother asked the bishop to be present at a face off with
Teresing. So one day in the presence of Bishop Obviar, the Mother Prioress lifted the veil of
Postulant Teresing and imparted a kiss in her eyes. Instantly the girl recovered her sight.
Her blindness was cured. Bishop Obviar doubted no more that the apparitions were
heavenly.
Here are some of the messages of the Lady to Teresing:
"I want a statue of mine to be placed here. I want you to describe me to your chaplain
because I want it to be as you see me, and as big as the statue of Lourdes that is in the
cloister. Tell Mother Prioress to have the rosary recited by the community here every
afternoon during these days. Clean this part of the garden so that it will be a real place of
prayer."
On September 26, Sunday, the last (15th) day of the apparitions, the Lady said: My child,
you must love and obey your mother. Tell the sisters to love and obey their superiors and
not to forget the things I ask. I shall not ask bigger things from you as you expect, because
you are my little ones. Do not forget to consecrate yourselves to me on October 7. Be very
good, I am Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace. I shall always bless the community morning and
evening. Departing for the last time, the Blessed Virgin identified Herself as: Mediatrix
of All Grace.
The Lipa phenomenon is often and principally associated with the shower of rose-petals.
Such took place also on September 30, the fifty-first anniversary of the death of St Therese
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of the Child Jesus. Rose-petals were strewn in the cells of the monastery. Likewise on
October 3, feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus. During those times, the shower of rosepetals fell on the staircase. Most showers took place within the cloister. Later however they
also fell outside the monastery at the sight of many visitors. On November 11, Mrs. Aurora
Quezon, the wife of the late President of the Commonwealth, and her party witnessed such
shower of roses at the monastery grounds. Bishop Alfredo Obviar himself stated that petals
fell on his feet as he went out of the door of the nunnery:
I was inside the parlor of the Carmelite monastery. The windows and doors were closed.
When I was about to step out of the door, outside, several rose-petals fell on my feet, to my
great surprise. I picked up some of them.
The then Supreme Court Chief Justice Manuel Moran fervently remarked:
The miracle of the shower of rose-petals at the Carmelites convent in Lipa City is not the
work of man but of God. There can be no doubt about it. If I am not absolutely convinced,
I would not waste my time coming to this place.
Most petals bore images of Jesus or Mary or St. Joseph or one of the saints, most
particularly, St. Therese of the Child Jesus.
The 1948 apparitions in Lipa highlighted the Blessed Virgins plea for humility, penance,
prayers for priests and for the Holy Father. As in Lourdes and Fatima the Blessed Mother
insisted on the need to pray the Rosary. Our Lady complained about the people losing
faith. Teresita added that there was a secret for herself, another for the Carmelite convent
in Lipa City and one for China.
The Negative Church Verdict
The veneration of Our Lady Mediatrix of all Grace was permitted by Bishop Verzosa.
However on April 11, 1951 the Philippine church hierarchy issued The Verdict in a
document which read:
We, the undersigned Archbishops and bishops, constituting for the purpose a special
commission, having attentively examined and reviewed the evidence and testimonies
collected in the course of repeated, long and careful investigations, have reached the
unanimous conclusion and hereby officially declare the above-mentioned evidence and
testimonies exclude any supernatural intervention in the reported extraordinary
happenings including the showers of petals at the Carmel of Lipa.
The signatories were: Archbishop Gabriel Reyes of Manila, Bishop Cesar M. Guerrero of
San Fernando, Bishop Mariano Madriaga of Lingayen, Bishop Rufino Santos,
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Administrator of Lipa, Bishop Vicente Reyes Auxiliary Bishop of Manila, and Bishop Juan
Sison, Auxiliary Bishop of Nueva Segovia. The document was also signed concordat cum
originali by the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Egidio Vagnozzi.
Bishop Rufino Santos, the apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Lipa, followed up such
declaration with a decree that went this way:
Having been declared by the Special Commission composed of several members of the
Philippine Hierarchy that, after long, repeated and careful investigations, the evidences and
testimonies on the matter exclude any supernatural intervention in the reported
extraordinary happenings including the shower of petalsat the Carmel of Lipa, I, the
undersigned Apostolic Administrator of Lipa Diocese, in keeping with the DecreeStatement of the said Episcopal Commission, BY THESE PRESENT LETTERS dispose
and order:
1) No petals nor water should be given out to anyone;
2) The statue of Our Lady (actually in the church) should be retired from public
veneration;
3) All out-sisters must be admitted within the enclosure for the time being, excepting Sr.
Elizabeth, who shall remain outside to attend to the needs of the Community; and finally
4) All visits are suspended temporarily, no letters will be allowed, until final decision on the
matter will come from The Holy See.
The decree was issued at the City of Lipa on April 12, 1951.
The Tragic Aftermath
Bishop Verzosa was forced to resign and sent back to his hometown in Vigan, Ilocos Sur in
Northern Philippines. The Auxiliary Bishop, Most Reverend Alfredo Obviar was moved to
Lucena, a newly erected diocese, where he served as a mere apostolic administrator for the
next twenty-two years. In 1974 he was finally given full episcopal powers as the resident
bishop of Lucena Diocese. On October 1, 1979, Feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, the
bishop died a holy death, having declared earlier: They can oblige me to keep silent; but
they can never compel me to say it was not true.
In recent years more and more people go on Pilgrimage to his tomb in the Mother House of
the Sisters Congregation he founded in 1958, the Missionary Catechists of St. Therese.
Numerous reports of miracles are ascribed to this so-termed saint of Holy Obedience.
Bishop Obviars cause for beatification has been introduced and is progressing well.
On the other hand, the memory of Bishop Alfredo Versoza, buried in the Cathedral of
Vigan and overlooked for four decades, is now the object of research. He too has been
invoked for favors miraculously granted. His cause for possible beatification is being
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considered.
Mother Prioress and the other perpetually professed sisters, notably Sister Mary of St.
Joseph, the sub-prioress, and Sr. Mary Anne, the infirmarian, were purposely separated
and dispersed to other Carmels. They suffered and died also in the odor of sanctity.
Meanwhile all materials connected with the apparitions were ordered destroyed. Teresitas
diary, as well as that of Mother Prioress, were burned. The statue was also destined for
ruin, but the nuns quietly kept it away, saving it from oblivion. The convent was sealed, and
the nuns could talk to no one outside of the convent. These events confirm the Blessed
Mothers warning that there would be persecution.
Teresita was subjected to investigation by the commission. As far as she was concerned
the investigating commission consisted only of Bishop Rufino Santos, Bishop Cesar
Guerrero, Fr. Blas, OP, and another Dominican priest. Cardinal Santos was always kind to
her but would get her any unholy hour and brought to Manila for investigation often times
with little time to prepare. Finally, Ma Mre, the French prioress made to replace Mother
Mary Cecilia of Jesus, tearfully advised Teresita to leave the convent on her own volition so
that she could later be readmitted when she would be ready. She could not be admitted for
profession because she failed to stay a full year in the novitiate. This was however due to
her being often brought hastily to Manila for inquiry. If she chose to remain, the prioress
will be forced to send her out depriving her of the possibility to reapply. She returned then
to her parents. But, later, each time she would ask to return to the cloister, she would be
required to have a medical clearance due to her health. Her health admittedly has never
been satisfactory due to the traumatic experiences she endured during interrogations. At
one point, because she refused to sign a declaration stating that the apparitions were a
hoax, a priest-investigator threw the ash tray at her, fortunately missing her. No medical
clearance was ever granted her. The story of the apparitions was buried for 40 years,
though the faithful believed in silence and persisted in praying to the Mediatrix of All
Grace.
Years After
Almost forty years after, on February 11, 1990, Reverend Father Lorenzo Maria Guerrero,
SJ, nephew of Bishop Cesar Guerrero of San Fernando, executed an affidavit asserting:
that while my uncle, Bishop Cesar Gerrero, was still alive, I heard from his lips that he
signed the above Official Statement under duress,: and that the said Bishop had expressed
his personal belief in the fact of the apparitions of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace in the
Carmelite Convent of Lipa during the year of 1948.
The late Bishop Godofredo Pedernal, who worked with Bishop Obviar for twenty-five
years as Vicar General and Episcopal vicar, testified that, while accompanying Bishop
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Obviar in the sixties to console his dying friends, Bishop Guerrero, Archbishop Cuenco and
Archbishop Sison, he heard Bishop Obviar ask: Why did you sign that declaration about
the foolishness of the Lipa Carmel Sisters? The three bishops would silently show their
own rose petals and replied: We were forced to sign.
Sometime in February 1990 a strange new phenomenon was reported in the Granja
District of Lipa City. A white glowing outline of a female in prayer began allegedly to
appear nightly on one of the leaves of a tall coconut tree. It was visible only in the evenings.
Then on May 21, 1990, Sr. Alphonse pleaded on her deathbed that the Mediatrix statue be
exposed again in the chapel at the Carmelite convent. Her request was granted the very
next day. She died on that day. For the first time the statue was displayed after 40 years!
On January 24, 1991, rose petals began to fall straight from the sky again at the Carmelite
convent in Lipa City. A few days later, six children playing in the front garden of the
monastery saw the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel at the monastery grounds come to
life and shed tears.
Archbishop Mariano Gaviola granted the permission to display again the image of the
Mediatrix of All Grace. The year after, he declared his personal conviction that the Lipa
apparitions were worthy of belief. Miracles of physical and spiritual healing took place.
Once more again there were reports of showers of rose-petals. Stories of marvelous
happenings, as in the late forties, pile up. The faithful never really ceased visiting Carmel in
spite of the 1951 decree. The number of pilgrims however swelled since the revival in the
early nineties.
Archbishop Gaviola created a new commission headed by then auxiliary bishop now
emeritus, Most Reverend Salvador Quizon and largely documentarily accomplished by
Justice Hariet Demetriou. Documents from then surviving persons who experienced the
events in the late forties as well as new evidences of wonders grew rapidly. Unfortunately,
Archbishop Gaviola retired. Was he overwhelmed by sufferings due to what he did for the
Blessed Virgin Mary? His successor did not do anything about the said phenomenon except
asserting that the authorities of the early fifties could not have been less competent in their
investigation than those fifty years after. That means that any recent investigations can
never convincingly correct the conclusions done decades ago. The Gaviola commission
ceased its inquiry.
Did Mary really appear in Lipa?
From the very start I, the Archbishop of Lipa since July 1994, had never put into doubt the
truth of the so-called Marian happenings in Lipa. As a child I was brought there together
with my other siblings by my parents. I have frequented the place since then. As a young
seminarian, then priest and bishop, I would come to Lipa Carmel to willingly and
trustingly entrust to Mary, my concerns, my whole life and all my activities, ignoring the
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controversies which had enveloped the events from the outset and which lingered
thereafter. I have not personally met, nor known nor bothered about Teresing Castillo until
years later as a newly ordained bishop.
The controversies surrounding the Lipa apparitions did not at all worry me as a young
bishop. I could not fail to notice, in the meantime, how the events in Lipa have taken a new
turn since I was a child. Lipa has gained the reputation of being Marys privileged place. In
fact people from all over do not hesitate to consider it as the Marian capital of the
Philippines.
Things became more complicated for me upon my appointment as LipaArchbishop in 1994.
I realized I have become part of the controversy. The intricacies of the past that overflow
into the present have upset me for the last more than four years. People expect much from
me who am reputed to be a profoundly Marian bishop. Some even sort of pressure me to
declare the authenticity of the Marian apparitions, so that when asked if I will now give
official approval to the Lipa phenomenon, my getaway response is: Archbishop Ramn
Argelles has long approved it; the present Lipa Archbishop however has not. Time and
again I feel at fault for seemingly dodging the issue. Fellow Marians would prick my
conscience by saying: It is the Blessed Mother Who wants you in Lipa. And for a
purpose. An easy way for me to steer clear of arguments is to state that regardless of the
truth or non-truth of the 1948 events, the Mediatrix of All Grace remains a mystery tied up
with and to a certain extent advanced by Lipa. Yet deep inside I sense that more is
demanded of me.
Pilgrimage to Lipa never ceased. Every 12th of the month people will congregate at the
Cathedral and make a penitential procession to the Carmelite Monastery of Mary,
Mediatrix of All Grace, at three in the afternoon. Likewise on first Saturdays increasing
crowds join the five oclock dawn procession from the Cathedral to the monastery ending
with the six oclock morning mass. I often join the procession and preside the Mass.
Moreover for the five consecutive years, September 12, the so-called first apparition day,
has been declared by government as a National Day of Prayer and Reconciliation. The
consecration of the entire nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of
Mary during the afternoon Eucharist is the key point of the annual Pilgrimage to, what
forty years ago Bishop Versoza called, Our Lady of Lipa.
The research silently goes on. More and more testimonies need yet to be examined to
determine whether the events deserve to be believed in as they are already believed in by
many. What more interesting testimony can be had than that coming from the supposed
visionary. Sister Teresing is allowed by God to live long. She is already eighty-one. Those
who love the Blessed Mother can reflect on her story with her. It is up to the reader or
listener to judge whether Sister Teresing is credible or not, if her experience is subjective
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and if it deserves to be conveyed to numerous souls. But it is my opinion that we have to

thank Sister Teresing for telling us the story of Mary in Lipa and for suffering with Bishop
Versoza, Bishop Obviar and the other professed nuns of that time.
There is in fact some kind of parallelism in the statements of the Blessed Virgin Mary in
Lourdes and in Lipa. Teresing was told by the Virgin: For fifteen consecutive days, come
to visit me here in this spot. Bernadette on the other hand was told: Will you do me the
favor of coming here for fifteen days? The Virgin revealed to Teresing: My daughter,
sufferings and trials will be with you until the end of your life. To Bernadette: I do not
promise you happiness in this world, but in the next! Again to Teresing: My child, kiss
the ground and eat a little grass. To Bernadette: Go on your knees, kiss the ground in
penance for sinners To Teresing: I wish this place to be blessed tomorrow. To
Bernadette: Go, tell the priests that I want that a Chapel be built here! To Teresing: I
am Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace To Bernadette: Que soy era Immaculada Concepciou.
Can the documents issued in April 1951 be considered a genuine document expressing the
definitive stand of the official Church of that time regarding the Lipa apparitions? First, it
cannot be considered a final document from the Catholic Hierarchy of the Philippines since
only an Archbishop (Gabriel Reyes of Manila), a resident bishop (Cesar Guerrero of San
Fernando), an apostolic administrator of the place at issue (Rufino Santos) and three other
auxiliary bishops (Sison of Nueva Caceres, Madriaga of Dagupan and Reyes of Manila)
signed the document as Archbishops and bishops, constituting for the purpose a special
commission. Second, vis--vis the fervor of the many ordinary faithful, there is yet the socalled claim of many of the bishops that they believe in the miracles while those who signed
claimed that they were under duress. Third, except for the above-mentioned documents, no
record can be shown either by the Carmelite Generalate in Rome nor by the Nunciature as
well as the Vatican archives themselves. Of course it is possible that the records of the fifties
are not made available by Rome nor by the Nunciature for some reasons only they know.
But for the sake of the Truth, and for the good of the faithful, such questions must be
answered. Finally, as noted by the late Archbishop Mariano Gaviola, no document from
Rome has, as of now, been issued us mentioned in the decree of then Apostolic
Administrator Bishop Rufino Santos.
Did she really appear in Lipa?
Did Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace appear in Lipa? I as simply, Ramn C. Argelles, will
readily say, like many others in the Philippines and elsewhere (in fact I will never ever
regret saying this: Yes, Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace, did appear in Lipa. It is not only in
the fifties that most of the bisops believed in the Lipa Apparitions. Today, many bishops,
surely led also by the simple faith of many faithful, believe that the Lipa events were not
invented. God and Mary surely favored our land, especially the province of Batangas.
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As Archbishop of Lipa, however, due to the unfortunate and confusing historical

circumstances that may not be ignored, obviously I vacillate in making a clear-cut
pronouncement. Certainly I am privately and silently doing, and I know I must officially
initiate, a new inquiry. But no doubt, whatever be the outcome of any serious and thorough
research the Archdiocese of Lipa, the City of Lipa or the whole Batangas Province will not
become less a specially celebrated place where Mary is intensely honored, loved and sought.
A final Church statement may be most desirable by a good number of devotees. But the
majority of the faithful will not at all be affected by whatever position the official Church
will take. They will go on believing that Mary is powerfully present to her people in this
place.
Personally and officially it is my earnest prayer and wish that
Mary had truly appeared before and will still reveal herself in Lipa, and even everywhere,
to tell the whole world that She is indeed Mediatrix of All Grace. Her call to prayer,
penance, return to her Son Jesus, to humility, simplicity and fidelity to God is even more
pressing in todays world. Lipa is a blessed and marvelous site to hear and heed this
maternal plea.

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Sr. Elizabeth of The Sacred Heart O.C.D; Portress at Carmel in 1948

; now an outsister

Sr. Monica of the Savior; Postulant at Carmel in 1948; Now Sr. Clotilde Nicolas of the
Agustian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation

Sr. Therese; Novice at Carmel in 1948; now

Mother Therese of the Holy Face, H.F.J

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Sr. Stephanie of the Cross O.C.D; novice at Carmel in 1948;

now Mrs. Severina Milan

Mother Jacinta Umali of Our Lady of Mount Carmel; novice at Carmel in 1948;
Now Prioress of Lipa Carmel

Sr. Alphonse of Mary; novice in Carmel in 1948

and before her Death in 1990

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Sr. Bernadette Bautista of the Mother of God

Novice of Carmel in 1948, now died in 2009

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Petal from the 1948 Showers

The Crowd of People witnessing a Shower

With the Head of Christ

Mrs. Aurora Quezon (Under Umbrella)

Mediatrix Procession in Madrid 1949

Saw a petal on her feet

Mediatrix Procession in New York 1949

The Rose petals at Teresings Home 1991

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The Vine where Our Lady appeared

The Garden of Lipa Carmel circa 1948

The Community of Carmel

Teresita and Grace Castillo

The Luminous Outline of the

Image of the Mediatrix

Lady in prayer in Granja,Lipa in 1990

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Socorro Mendoza-Dichoso

Sr. Melania Sunga

Raymus Julius Palmares

Francisco Dychangco

Bishop Mariano Gaviola

Sr. Mary Tayamora

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Press Statement For The Lipa Pilgrimage 2006 by Mayor Vilma Santos-Recto

Sep 7, 2006 by admin

MAYOR VILMA SANTOS-RECTO
Mayor of Lipa
For The Lipa Pilgrimage 2006
CBCP Media Office
September 7, 2006

At the outset I would like to thank His Excellency, Angel Lagdameo, President of the
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines for his endorsement of the LIPA 2006
PILIGRIMAGE.
I also wish to manifest my gratitude to Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
for Presidential Proclamation 1095.
These two issuances, one from the highest religious authority in the country and the other
from the head of the government of the Republic, form as it were an arrow marking Lipa
as the Prayer Capital of the Philippines for a day, because of this forthcoming prayer event
on September 12, 2006.
The times are not normal and the media testify that our contemporary society indeed is
suffering from moral degradation.
Killings, rapes, wars, violence, conflicts, scandals, drug trafficking and abuse, graft and
corruption are reported daily in media.
It is amidst this scenario that Lipa is host to the National Pilgrimage to Mary, Mediatrix of
All Grace.
We know that it is spiritual grace that will allow us to overcome our personal and collective
sins. We will pray ourselves out of this moral crisis by recourse to Mary, Mediatrix of All
Grace.
I make as my own, the words of Archbishop Lagdameo

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We support the initiative of the Lay Marian Organizations in calling for the THIRD
NATIONAL PILGRIMAGE for Conversion, Consecration and Reparation to LIPA CITY on
September 12, 2006 at the Shrine of the Mediatrix of all Grace.
We pray that this National Pilgrimage on September 12 Feast of the Holy Name of Mary will
give us the opportunity to experience our Marian devotion as our way towards personal and
social transformation.
Lipa is blessed to be the center of this National Day of Prayer, and it is my privilege to
welcome the pilgrims from all over the country to our City where we will be united in
praying for our country.
LET US GO TO MARY!

(Tagalog Version)

Una ay nais kong pasalamatan ang Kagalang-galang na Arsobispo Angel Lagdameo,

Pangulo ng Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines para sa pagtataguyod ng LIPA
2006 PILIGRIMAGE.
Nais ko ring ipaabot ang aking pasasalamat kay Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo para
sa Presidential Proclamation 1095.
Ang dalawang pagpapahayag , isa mula sa mataas na awtoridad ng simbahang Katolika sa
bansa at ang isa mula sa pinakamataas na pinuno ng pamahalaan ng Republika, ay kapwa
humihirang sa Bayan ng Lipa bilang pambansang panalanginan sa darating na ika 12 ng
Setyembre.
Nagbago na nga ang panahon ngayon at ayon sa ating mga nababasa at naririnig, malaki
na ang ibinaba ng ating moralidad. Sa mga pahayagan, dumarami na ang kaso ng
pagpatay, kahalayan, digmaan, karahasan, abuso sa droga at mga ibat-ibang uri ng
pandaraya sa lipunan.
Sa mga pangyayaring ito sa bansa, magsisilbing dausan ng National Pilgrimage to Mary,
Mediatrix of All Graces ang bayan ng Lipa.

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Malaki ang magagawa ng biyayang ispiritual upang mapagwagian natin ang hamon ng
ibat-ibang anyo ng kasalanan. Upang malampasan ang mga paghamong ito, sama-sama
tayong mananalangin kay Maria, Daluyan ng Lahat ng Biyaya
Tulad ng sinabi ni Arsobispo Lagdameo:
Sinusuportahan ko ang pangunguna ng Lay Marian Organizations sa pagpapalaganap ng
3rd National Pilgrimage para sa pagbabago, pananalangin at pagbabayad puri na gaganapin
sa Kapilya ng Carmel, Lungsod ng Lipa sa ika-12 ng Setyembre, taong kasalukuyan.
Nawa ang araw na ito, na nagkataon ding kapistahan ng Banal na Pangalan ni Maria, ay
magbigay sa atin ng pagkakataon upang maipahayag ang ating debosyon kay Maria bilang
daan ng mga pagbabago sa sarili at lipunan.
Mapalad ang Lungsod ng Lipa na mahirang na pambansang dausan ng panalangin. Taos
puso ko kayong tinatanggap sa bayan ng Lipa, lahat na mga deboto mula sa ibat-ibang
panig ng ating kapuluan na magkakaisang mananalangin para sa bansa.
HUMAYO TAYO KAY MARIA

How Our Lady of Lipa Healed My Club Foot

By Sr. Melania Ma. Sunga

I am Sr. Melania Ma. Sunga of the Religious of the Assumption. I was born on 31 December
1941 in Candon, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. I am the niece of Bishop Edmundo Abaya of Ilocos Sur.
He is my mothers cousin. Being a blood relative, Bishop Abaya took care of my mother Rosario
Abaya-Sunga when the latter became an orphan at a very early age.
I was born with a club foot. Because of this handicap, I could never walk without limping and
wear shoes or slippers until I was miraculously cured in 1949. Even while an infant, my parents
consulted a family doctor as regards the possibility of an operation to straighten my foot.
However the doctor advised them that I was too small and too weak to undergo any surgery. He
further advised them that despite the operation, there would be no assurance or certainty that I
could walk normally.

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The doctors advice brought so much sadness to the family. My parents took it to mean that I
would never be able to live a normal life when I grow up. Bishop Abaya was not spared this
distressing news.

Mary Mediatrix Intervenes

Sometime in 1949, when I was eight years old, Bishop Abaya, then studying at the seminary of
the University of Santo Tomas, went on a pilgrimage to the Lipa Carmel Convent together with
the Rector and fellow seminarians. During the said pilgrimage, Bishop Abaya remembered me
and my pitiful condition and asked the Carmel Sisters for a bottle of water previously placed
overnight in front of the statue of Our Lady of Lipa - Mary Mediatrix of All Grace. The Sisters
obliged and, in addition, gave him the Tagalog version of the novena to Our Lady, Mary
Mediatrix of All Grace.
Bishop Abaya gave the bottle of water and the Tagalog novena to my mother when he paid us a
visit in Candon, Ilocos Sur. For nine consecutive days, my mother prayed the novena and in the
evening before sleeping, she would rub some water from the bottle on my club foot.
In the morning of the ninth day of my mothers novena, my father Graciano Sunga and my
brother Abelardo were very surprised to see me walk without the usual limp. I also noticed that I
could walk straight My eyes then went to my club foot. A normal foot was in place. My defect
or handicap was suddenly gone As far as my family and Bishop Abaya were concerned, there
was no doubt that I was miraculously cured of my defect My miraculous cure became the
hottest and biggest news in Candon, Ilocos Sur.

The Rose Petals

The loving presence of the Blessed Virgin Mary in our household did not end there. A week after
my instant cure, the entire family including myself witnessed the mysterious presence of a brown
rose petal inside Abelardos pan de sal as he broke it during the usual family breakfast. As we put
the said petal against the light, we saw the half body image with a halo of Our Lady, the Blessed
Mother.
The following day, my sister Maria Elena Sunga, then 17 years old, was sweeping the floor in
front of the altar where the image of Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace was placed or exhibited. As
she tried to gather the dust in the dust pan, a strong gust of wind entered the sala and blew away
the dust. In its place, six rose petals lay on the dust pan. Certainly, no one put them there.
Two or three weeks later, my other brother Antonio, then 13 years old, bought some bubble gum
with the wrappers of Batman, Tarzan and Superman. He kept the three wrappers inside his shirt
pocket with the intention of asking our laundry woman Mercedes to iron them on his other shirt
in order to engrave the images or features of the said cartoons. As soon as he got home, he took
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out the wrappers and discovered that they were individually and neatly folded. When he opened
each wrapper, he saw a rose petal inserted between the fold. My brother then asked who placed
them inside the wrappers. No one knew how the petals got there.
My parents decided to show all the rose petals the family mysteriously received in our own home
to Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Carmelo, then the parish priest of Candon, Ilocos Sur. In turn, the said
parish priest advised my parents to show them to Bishop Juan Sison.
Bishop Sison advised my parents to refrain from talking about or discussing my cure and the
mysterious discovery of the rose petals lest our home be overfilled with visitors. I did not find
this advice odd because the story of my cure had already reached other towns in Ilocos Sur.
But Bishop Sison was not incredulous or unbelieving. On the contrary, he believed in the
miraculous cure of my club foot and the mysterious appearance of the rose petals as a sign of the
Blessed Mothers divine presence into our lives. He would often tell my father: Feel free to
come back. Whenever you find petals, report them to me.
True enough my parents went back to see Bishop Sison on account of the rose petals they
themselves discovered while doing their routine work at home. My mother found her rose petals
among her red carnations. She never cultivated roses. As regards my father, he saw his petals
among the pages of the newspaper he was then reading.
In May 1949, my entire family went on a thanksgiving pilgrimage to the Lipa Carmel Convent.
During the usual raffle of the rose petals inside the chapel, my name and my brothers Jose and
Abelardo were luckily called. We were each given a rose petal by the Sisters. To me the event
proved the incessant blessings of the Blessed Virgin Mary on our family.
My family also became close to the late Bishop Cesar Guerrero when we transferred our
residence to San Fernando, Pampanga. Bishop Guerrero became my brother Antonios spiritual
adviser when the latter enrolled as a seminarian in the Mater Boni Concilii Seminary in Apalit,
Pampanga.
Bishop Guerrero unquestionably believed in my miraculous cure and the mysterious appearance
of the rose petals in our home at Candon, Ilocos Sur. He would exhort us all members of the
family to continue our devotion to Our Lady, Mary Mediatrix of All Grace.

My Disappearing Tumor Story

By Rosario Cosme-Mendoza (Socorros Mother)
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On 18 December 1948, I gave birth to my youngest child, Maria Socorro Mendoza

(now Ma. Socorro Mendoza-Dichoso). During that time, my husband Dr. Telesforo J.
Mendoza was still alive. He was the chief of the Department of Neurosurgery at the
University of Santo Tomas (UST) Hospital and was professor of Neuro-Anatomy at
the UST College of Medicine.
At the time of Socorros birth, my husband discovered that she had a soft tumor on
the left side of the head (frontal-parietal region). After a week of observation, my
husband and I noticed that Socorros tumor was getting bigger. We then got alarmed
because my husband earlier thought it was a simple case of superficial hemorrhage
common to newly-born babies.
A more detailed medical test revealed that Socorros head tumor was a case of
deficient ossification of the cranium leading to the protrusion of the membranes of
the cerebrum containing the cerebrospinal fluid. To confirm this finding, my late
husband requested the late Dr. Paulino J. Garcia, chief of UST Hospitals Radiology
Department, to take a series of X-rays on Socorros head or skull. The X-ray pictures
gravely confirmed the previous medical findings. We felt almost sure we were going
to lose Socorro to this disease.
Sometime in January 1949, more than a month after Socorros birth, I decided to go to
the Lipa Carmel convent to beg for prayers to the Sisters. News abounded that the
Blessed Virgin Mary had been appearing to the Lipa Carmelite postulant, Teresita
Castillo under the title Mediatrix Of All Grace and that there had been frequent
miraculous showers of rose petals within and outside the premises of the cloister.
Upon my arrival at Lipa, I was gladly given an audience by the late Carmelite
Prioress Mary Cecilia of Jesus, OCD. I poured out to her all the anguish and anxiety
of a mother who dreaded the inevitability of the death of her child.
The Prioress Mary Cecilia advised me to say a novena to Our Lady, Mary Mediatrix
of All Grace. She instructed Sis. Elizabeth of the Sacred Heart, OCD to give me a
copy of the novena and a rose petal that purportedly came from one of the
miraculous showers.

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I left Lipa Carmel buoyed up by the hope that the Blessed Mother would pity and
assist my child Socorro. When I reached home, I immediately rushed to the room
where Socorro was sleeping. She looked bluish black as if short of breath. Her
condition made me panic. I started gently massaging the rose petal over her head
while saying the novena. After five minutes she started to cry. My husband who was
beside me said that the crying was a good sign.
On the fourth day of my novena, after the usual examination of Socorros head, my
husband noticed that the tumor was suddenly gone. There was a definite cleavage of
the skull cavity previously the result of deficient ossification.
Because of this unexplained medical development, my late husband requested Dr.
Paulino J. Garcia to conduct another set of x-rays on Socorros skull. Truly, the x-ray
films showed no more trace of the tumor!
My entire family attributed Socorros sudden cure to Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace.
As a gesture of loving gratitude to her, we went on a pilgrimage together with our
Paco parish priest, the late Fr. Godofredo Aldenhuisen, CICM to the Lipa Carmel
convent in the summer of 1949. We brought along Socorro who had since become a
healthy and normal baby.
The late Chief Justice Manuel V. Moran of the Supreme Court got very interested in
Socorros case. He took all the x-ray films (before and after the disappearance of the
tumor) from us including the childs medical history for submission to the Vatican in
support of the cause of Mary Mediatrix of all Grace. Since then and up to the present,
my family does not know what happened to those x-ray films.

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111

Miracles Do Happen: Cancer Patient Healed by Our Lady of Lipa

By Denise S. Maosa

I have always believed in miracles, and after my personal experiences, I truly believe that
miracles are there everyday for the asking.
THE BACKGROUND
My story begins in 2002. I was diagnosed with uterine cancer stage 1b. On Feb. 12, 2011, I was
operated on and had a total hysterectomy. The good news was that there were no cancer cells
found outside the uterus so I did not need chemotherapy, but the bad news was that the doctors
told me that I needed to have radiation therapy to ensure that no microscopic cancer cells that
were not visible to the eye remained. Although I had my doubts on what they would radiate,
since my uterus and both ovaries had already been removed, I complied with the advice of my
two doctors, who told me that this was the protocol for Stage 1 cancer.
I had 25 daily sessions of low dose radiation therapy in St. Lukes Hospital in Quezon City,
Mondays thru Fridays, between the months of March and April of 2002. I had to leave my
residence in Alabang as early as 5:30 a.m. to beat the traffic and go all the way to St. Lukes
hospital in Quezon City every day. At the start I felt no symptoms. It was only towards the end of
the 25 sessions that I started to get diarrhea immediately after the sessions.
From May to about end of August, everything seemed okay. Then starting September, I started to
feel bloated and knew something was wrong. I started to go for checkups with a
gastroenterologist , who kept giving me medicines and telling me to come back week after week.
Instead of feeling better, the condition worsened. The doctor then suggested I have a
colonoscopy done. This was by late October. It was not successful, because about 8 inches into
the colon, there was an obstruction so the colonoscopy could not be completed. Since the doctor
reverted back to medications after the failed colonoscopy, I decide to change to another doctor
who lived and practiced in the Alabang area.
The new doctor immediately ordered a virtual colonoscopy done on me. The results showed that
I had an almost total obstruction in the intestines. He told me that surgery was required to
remove the obstruction. So on the 1st week of Dec. 2002, I checked into the Asian Hospital to
undergo the operation. However, the surgeon that my doctor called refused to operate on me the
night before the scheduled operation. He said the operation was risky and since it was due to the
radiation burns that were caused by the radiation therapy, he said that we would have to wait at
least one year from the time of the last radiation session before opening me up. I was surprised
that my doctor did not insist on the surgery and did not bother to look for another surgeon that
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would do the operation. So I was again back to trying to cope with my condition with
medications.
CONDITION WORSENS
My condition worsened rapidly. I was in constant pain from spasms and was bloated all the time.
I could not eat, as I would end up throwing up whatever I would try to take in. I lost over 10
pounds that Dec.
By early Jan., I felt I was dying. I had no strength, my cheeks had fallen, my face was gaunt, I
was stooped, it took so much effort to climb stairs, and my stomach was constantly tied up in
knots. I could not retain any food, and I would even throw up the little water I would drink. It
was then that I finally agreed for my husband to ask the doctors of Medical City for a 2nd
opinion. At that time he was in the process of designing the New Medical City hospital.
On the same day, my husband called Dr. Alfredo Bengzon for advice. Dr. Bengzon asked for all
my records and sent them to Dr. Augusto Sarmiento, who immediately ordered that I check into
the hospital that same afternoon. It was a Thursday. Before leaving for the hospital, our parish
priest, Msgr. Chito Bernardo, came to my house and gave me the Sacrament of the Sick.
In the hospital, several tests had to be done first. That day I wrote my Last Will and Testament.
I thought I was really going to die because I was so weak. But what kept my spirits high were the
innumerable texts that I was receiving from friends that they were all praying for me. I was so
overwhelmed and humbled by the messages of love and concern, that I literally felt embraced by
love. At that point, I knew I could die happy with the knowledge that I was loved, and if I was
loved so much by family and friends, then how much more was the love that God had for me.
Saturday, the day of the operation, started for me with a general confession with our good friend
Fr. Mark Lesage in the room, and I was able to receive communion. I was wheeled into the
operating room by 10 a.m. feeling very calm and confident that I was in Gods hands.
The operation took longer than expected. My stomach was full of adhesions. Dr. Sarmiento had
to remove about 1 meters of small and part of the large intestines as they had adhered into one
large gnarled mass, as large as an American football ball. Then, as they were closing me up, I
started to bleed and they could not stop the bleeding. The doctors thought that I would not make
it. I remember waking up and looking at the clock that said it was already 5 p.m. In my mind I
knew the operation was taking longer than expected. Then I heard Dr. Sarmiento, in a very calm
voice, introducing me to Dr. Castillo, a hematologist, whom he said he called in to help stop the
bleeding.

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Every so often I would wake up and could hear the conversation in the OR. I heard Dr.
Sarmiento asking why the blood transfusion was taking so long, and I heard the answer that they
had run out of blood and were still waiting for the blood to be processed. What entered my mind
then was that I felt sorry for my family as I knew they would be frantically looking for blood.
Then I would hear my blood pressure called out, and I knew it was dangerously low. But all
throughout, although I was aware there was a crisis, I never felt nervous nor fearful. I felt safe
and at peace knowing that I was being cradled in the palm of the Lord.
It was around 11 p.m. when I woke up in the recovery room fully conscious. Since I had an
epidural as anesthesia I felt no pain, just heaviness in my back. That was when I was informed
by Dr. Sarmiento and my family that I almost did not make it. I was alert and wanted to just talk
and talk. There was no vacancy in the ICU, and since the next day was Sunday, Dr. Sarmiento
decided to just move me to my room and just monitor me from there.
The next day found me hooked up to so many monitors, and I was still having blood transfusions.
I was told that I ended up using 19 units of blood (type AB+) during the operation, and another
3 or 4 units even after the operation. Dr. Castillo told me that not a drop of my blood was mine
any longer, but not to worry, as after 3 months, all the blood transfused in me would become my
own. In spite of everything, I recovered well. I stood up after two days and on the 7th day I was
able to go home.
I went home on a Friday afternoon and was supposed to see Dr. Sarmiento on Monday to change
the dressing. However, the next afternoon the wound started to suppurate. So I went back to the
hospital, where Dr. Sarmiento removed most of the sutures to clean the wound and put new
dressings. I could not even look at my stomach. That was the only time that fear entered my
mind.
From then on, I had to go to Medical City in Mandaluyong every single afternoon, Sundays and
holidays included, to get the wound cleaned and dressed. This daily visit continued for 7 months,
from January to August. My wound was not healing well. They suspected I had diabetes, but
tests showed I did not. However, for more than a month I had to inject myself three times a day
with some serum that would supposedly assist the healing. That did not work. By May, my hair
was falling out in clumps and I was getting bald as if I were undergoing chemo. I continued to l
feel weak and look skeletal. I had no life as my whole day was centered on my daily visit to
Medical City, which at that time took at least 1 - 2 hours of travel one way. I would leave my
house in Alabang at 1:30 p.m. to be there by 3 3:30 p.m. and back again by 6 p.m.
The wound was healing so slowly. There was a sinus (a hole) that wouldnt close. Because the
doctor had to open the sutures, the wound looked like an open wound, except that skin covered
it. But Dr. Sarmiento warned me to be very careful not to get anything that could hit my stomach

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as the skin that covered the wound was thin and could easily be punctured. That was my
condition as of end of July.
THE FIRST MIRACLE
That First Saturday of August 2003, my sister-in-law, Milagros Maosa Zialcita, asked me if I
wanted to join them to go to Lipa to hear the First Saturday mass at 9 a.m. I agreed as we were
to be back by 1 p.m., so I could still go to the doctor in the afternoon.
As an aside, my sister-in-law, Milagros, was married to Lorenzo Zialcita, whose eldest sister was
the Mother Superior of the Carmelite order in Lipa when Our Lady of the Mediatrix appeared to
Teresing Castillo in 1948 onwards. Her family believed that she also saw Our Lady, but in
obedience to the archbishop at that time that forbade her from ever speaking about it, this
Mother Superior refused to talk about the apparition even to her own family, until death.
We arrived on time for the 9 a.m. mass. After the mass, those that remained went up and formed
a semi circle around the communion rail, to be blessed by the priest who they said was a healing
priest. (I forgot his name). As I went to the communion rail near the sacristy, I smelled very
strong scent of roses. It was so strong that I was going to each of my sistersin-laws and nieces
to find out who was wearing that perfume. None of them were. But the scent was undeniably that
of roses.
After being blessed, we then proceeded to visit a niece of theirs that was a Carmelite in Lipa. As
we were waiting in the room for her to open the window to talk to us, again I smelled the roses. I
kept commenting about it to my sisters-in-law. When the Carmelite nun was told about my
smelling the roses, she immediately told me that I was blessed and favored by Our Lady, as she
made her presence known to me through the scent of roses. I was so happy and overwhelmed to
hear that and asked that she pray that my wound finally heal.
I did not mention to my doctor my experience in Lipa. But that same week, he mentioned that the
sinus in the wound seemed to be closing faster so that I could just go three times a week instead
of daily. By the second week, the sinus was completely closed and I was declared healed. That
made me so happy, as I could finally get on with my life. That October, I was able to join a
pilgrimage to Europe and attend the beatification of Mother Teresa in Rome.
THE SECOND MIRACLE
All went relatively well in my life until October of 2005. I noticed that there was fresh blood in
my stool. It happened three times on different days, so I feared the worse and went to see Dr.
Sarmiento. He scheduled me for a colonoscopy, but like the first time in 2002, there was a
blockage 8 inches into the colon. So another test was done with contrast and the findings were
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that I had a tumor in the sigmoid colon that appeared to be the classic apple core tumor that
meant that it was malignant 95% of the time. Dr. Sarmiento told me that I needed surgery.
A CT scan was then taken to guide him for the surgery. Not only did the results confirm the
findings of the tumor, but it also showed that there were two fuzzy spots in the liver. This worried
the doctor because fuzzy spots usually indicate malignancy. And there seemed to be a cyst in the
kidney, that one did not know if it was malignant or not. All Dr. Sarmiento told me was that we
would not know for sure until biopsies of all these tumors and cysts were taken. The news
devastated me. I was facing not only another major operation, but the fact that I would have to
undergo chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and all those treatments to try to halt the cancer.
Because it was end of Oct. with the holidays coming up, I asked to schedule the operation for
Monday, Nov. 7. The reason I asked for this was that our wedding anniversary was Nov. 5, a first
Saturday, and I wanted to go back to Lipa to ask Our Lady a favor one more time.
My family went to the beach that weekend of Oct. 29 to Nov. 2 in order to bond. I was in no
humor that weekend. All that gripped me was the prospect of having to fight the cancer after the
operation. I could not enjoy the company of my family and found myself writing down my
thoughts and praying for a miracle. I really feared that this time I would not be able to recover
at all.
On Saturday, Nov. 5, 2005, my husband and three children accompanied me to Lipa. We attended
the 9 a.m. first Saturday mass there. After the mass, as I approached the shrine of Our Lady, I
distinctly smelled the roses again. I was ecstatic! I just knew that my prayers were answered. I
had no cancer. I was just so sure of it. I decide to buy a statue of Our Lady of the Mediatrix for
me. All the way home I kept telling my husband and children how happy I was and how good
Our Lord was to me. They were happy to see me so happy, but I am sure they had their doubts.
That Sunday evening, as I entered the hospital a day prior to the operation, I told Dr. Sarmiento
that I was sure I had no cancer, and that since he was opening me up, to just fix my stomach
hernia and the scar of my stomach that had healed badly. Of course the doctor told me that my
operation was a major one and he would see if he could still do my request. I brought the statue
of the Virgin with me to my hospital room.
The next day I again cheerfully reminded the doctor of my request. That was the last I remember
before I succumbed to the anesthesia. Next thing I knew I was in my room and my children were
telling me that there was no tumor, there was no cancer; I was all clear.
Dr. Sarmiento then came to visit me and was excitedly telling me that when he opened me, he
found no tumor in the sigmoid colon. He was so surprised that he even slit the colon to check
with his finger the area where the tests had clearly shown the tumor. Then they biopsied the fuzzy
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spots in the liver and found they were tubercular cysts and not malignant. The cyst in the kidney
was also benign. So he complied with my request and fixed the stomach hernia and redid my
scar in the stomach to strengthen it.
Thats when I asked the doctor how could he explain it. Would he say it was a miracle? He told
me that yes, you can say it was a miracle as he could not explain how the tumor shown in the
two diagnostic tests had disappeared. I then told him I was sure it was a miracle from the time I
smelled the roses in Lipa the Saturday before.
I recovered fast and left the hospital after only three days.
SUBSEQUENT MIRACLES
Aside from the two incidents that I have recounted that are very clear to be miracles at least to
me there have been innumerable small incidents wherein I believe Our Lord has always
granted me miracles thru the intercession of Our Lady.
I have had three other operations and several near calls after that 2005 miracle. Almost every
two years I end up in the hospital for an operation or procedure. Every time it happens I entreat
Our Lady to intercede for me for a miracle that I believe Our Lord grants me.
In spite of the successful operations I have had, I continue to suffer from chronic diarrhea due to
the fact that my intestines had been burned by the radiation therapy that I went thru in 2003 and
the tissues of my intestines are necrotic because of it. So for me, just being able to go thru the
day without an embarrassing situation is already a miracle. To be able to take short trips and
even travel abroad with my condition is a miracle.
But I really am very grateful to God for all the care and love He has shown me. I often ask
myself why I have been favored so. I have no answer except that Gods love is truly so infinite
that He grants us anything we ask for if we believe in miracles. And I do believe in miracles,
and I believe that the miracle is there for our asking. It may not always come the way we want it
to, but miracles do happen every day.

Lipa Visionary Tells Her Own Story: The apparitions of Our Lady to
Teresing Castillo

by Teresita Castillo

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In loving obedience to the zealous lovers of Mama Mary, I will try my very best to write down
the most I could remember after 40 years of complete silence. So, before I start, I humbly beg for
your understanding and trust in me. I do not ask you to believe my little story; just listening to it
is more than I deserve. I cannot also assure you that every detail of what happened to me in
Carmel will be included here. There are a few messages that I cannot divulge. Aside from this,
40 years is a long past, and my age is heading fast towards the reality of being included in the
list of senior citizens.
On July 4, 1948, on my 21st birthday, I left home at 4:00 a.m. to escape from our house to enter
the Carmelite Monastery in Lipa City. Bishop Obviars jeep was to pick me up at the back of the
ruined municipal building at 4:00 a.m. I had a last glance of our house as we passed by on our
way to Lipa. It was not easy for me to leave my good parents behind . Being the youngest, I do
admit that I was the favorite. They were just waiting for the day of my graduation recital in
piano before they bought a grand piano as their graduation gift for me. What made me worry
was the fact that my parents were going to order the grand piano from Germany. My parents
were always happy to see me play the piano for them, but most especially when an elder brother
of mine and my only sister and myself played piece after piece. They showed us all the love and
care they could. So, leaving them behind was not easy for me.
I heard my birthday Mass inside Carmel. My family started to look for me in Carmel and finding
me there, my brothers wanted to get me out of the convent to bring me back to our parents. My
eldest brother through the grill pointed his gun at me to shoot because he told me he preferred to
see me dead rather than be a Carmelite. I was told by Mother Prioress to rest early because of
the tensions I went through. So, I slept early only to be awakened by my brothers voice shouting
and calling my name to go back to my parents. Mother Prioress ran to our cell. I begged her not
to give me back to any of the members of my family. Seeing that his shouts were of no avail, my
brother turned his fury on the massive doors and started pounding on them with violence. The
Out-Sisters called for some policemen, but God intervened and my furious brother left before the
police arrived.
JULY 31, 1948
My first encounter occurred during the Great Silence which means that nobody may talk with
anybody except for emergency reasons. I was in our cell praying when I heard three knocks. I
did not see anyone come in. After a little while, I heard a mans voice, very rough and guttural in
nature as though coming from a deep, hollow container. He gave me a vivid picture of how my
family was. He said that my father, who was at that time the presiding judge of the Court of
Relations, could not study his legal cases, because I was told that he used to stand by the
window waiting for my return. I was also told (and this was confirmed by others) that after each
meal he would leave two spoonfuls of rice for me. This was indeed a very touching attitude of my
poor father. I suddenly felt homesick, so much so that I was on the verge of crying. Then I heard
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the voice again telling me that he will leave signs of his presence in our cell. With shaking knees
and trembling hands, I somehow managed to grope for our little lamp, and sure enough there
were two black footprints and their shape was so different from that of a human being.
MY REACTION I was shocked and couldnt move an inch. I was trembling. I did not know
what to do. I thought I was praying, but was not. I thought I was thinking, but was not. One thing
I realized, I had my rosary in my hand. I ran to Mother Prioress crying, trembling and upon
reaching Mothers office, my knees gave way. Having heard my story, Mother brought me back to
our cell, and told me to say the rosary over and over again. I did what I was told and slept.
AUGUST 1, 1948
The same voice came back to me at around 3:00 a.m. He kept repeating the same thing to me. I
heard many footsteps running down below our cell. Mother Prioress gave me a crucifix and a
small bottle of holy water and gave me instructions as regards to the use of the holy water and
crucifix.
MY REACTIONS This time I was really afraid because I was thinking that my eldest brother
whom our former Mayor Esteban Mayo knew very well, would ask his help to bring me home. If
he could shoot me in the parlor the day I escaped, he could easily have hired some men to
kidnap me. My mind was distracted from what just happened, by thinking that my father who was
a very influential politician could easily arrange for me to be kidnapped. My thoughts were
focused on two things: was this a trick of my family to get me out, or was it really the devil
tormenting me? But then, why pick on me if it was the latter?
The following days were peaceful and I asked my guardian Angel to please take care of me. I
kept myself busy, by studying the rules of Carmel, memorizing some Latin prayers, and adjusting
myself to a very different kind of life. Laundry work was the hardest and not knowing how to
wash clothes, both my hands soon had small holes in them. This reminded me of little violets,
small though they may be, but when bunched together they would become a very beautiful
offering to Jesus. Painful, yes, but very pleasing to the Mother of God.
FIRST FRIDAY OF AUGUST 1948
Devotional cards were drawn by the Community in honor of the Sacred Heart. I got Victim.
We can easily conclude what this word meant. Then I told myself: Whats next Mr. Whoever You
Are?. I prayed hard because to be a victim is not at all easy.
MY REACTION: Resigned.
AUGUST 7, 1948
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It was a Saturday when I smelt a very sweet fragrance like that of white lilies while I was on my
way to our cell. I thought perhaps a close relative of mine died or something like that (an old
belief). When I reached our cell, I immediately heard a very sweet voice, a voice beyond
description which said:
My daughter, sufferings will always be with you until the end of your life.
I did not see anyone, and the words came as a shock to me.
MY REACTIONS I was stunned, speechless and motionless, but not so afraid. I asked myself
whose voice that was. It was very different from the previous one.
AUGUST 11, 1948
At about 3:00 a.m., I was awakened by the shaking of my bed which lasted one minute. Then I
heard the usual hoarse voice. He told me that I had an obligation to my parents to take pity on
them, and if they die of loneliness, I would have to answer for that. He also told me that I was
wrong in loving and respecting the Bishop and Mother Cecilia [Ed.: the prioress]. Soon after
this, there he was before my eyes. I was terrified with an unbearable sense of fear. He was
terribly ugly. He hit me and the marks were seen by the Mother Prioress. She then embraced me
for the first time. I was crying. She put my head on her shoulder and patted my back and that
was the time I really missed my parents. Mother Cecilia comforted me, and I saw tears in her
eyes. If you would like to know how the devil looked like, I will try my best to describe him to
you. He was around 5 ft. tall. He was surrounded by fire, which was only about an inch wide.
His eyes were bloodshot. Those glaring eyes could not look at me, but looked to the left side of
our cell. His face seemed oblong in shape and his voice was the same as before. His foul odor
convinced me that he was something totally evil. I was almost ready to give up my vocation,
when suddenly I began to think that if I did so, the devil would be the winner and I, the loser.
MY REACTION: I was scared but my fear did not last long. Suddenly, I changed my mind. With
Gods grace, I was determined to win the battle. He disappeared after being sprinkled by me
with holy water as I had been told to do so by Mother Prioress.
AUGUST 18 , 1948
The fragrance of lilies was all over the place. When I reached our cell, a beautiful lady was
inside. She was dressed in white, immaculately clean and her hair was long. The most beautiful
part of her was her eyes. Then she spoke:
Do not be afraid. My Son has sent me to bring you a message.

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She told me that the trials I went through made her sad. I was consoled. She was really a mother.
I could hardly believe or imagine that she was there, sitting on my bed! She said that the enemy
was jealous of Mother Prioress, but Mama Mary encouraged me to love and trust Mother
Prioress. I was also told to wash Mothers feet, then drink the water I used. When I told Mother
this, she was embarrassed and thought it might be some kind of trick. I was told that two holy
pictures would be given to Mother Prioress. When I saw the pictures I immediately recognized
that they were mine. Mama Mary is really a very human and a down to earth Mother. I was told
to analyze the lesson the two pictures gave or taught us. I couldnt see the lessons they gave us
till the following morning during our meditation. I was almost sure that the lesson was about
simplicity, detachment and obedience. The sign that Mother Prioress was waiting for, was at
least manifested in my eyes. One single drop of blood in my eyes was enough for Mother
Prioress to give in to the washing of her feet. During those days, all Carmelites were barefooted
and anyone can guess the kind of water I was to drink. For every gulp I took, my stomach
revolted. However, I was only too happy to do it for the love of Mama Mary. On the part of
Mother Prioress, I saw that she was embarrassed, but I am sure to offer that to Mama Mary
also. Right after our meal I ran to the comfort room and threw up all the water.
I am not sure of the date (August 18 or 19) when the beautiful Lady was telling me about a kind
of suffering I will have to undergo for a priest. She was almost in tears so I accepted whatever
suffering she wanted me to bear. Then we were talking about conversion, simplicity, humility,
generosity, and cooperation of all those who will understand the true meaning of penance and
sacrifice. She said that if the world would continue the way it was heading during those days,
she would suffer most because she was a witness to the suffering of Her Son.
In Carmel, the Sisters are periodically called one by one by the Prioress to ask how they are,
whether they have problems, complaints, etc. When my turn came, I asked her only one question:
Mother, why was I chosen by the devil to be tormented and then why was I chosen by Mama
Mary to be the instrument to impart her message? I am far from being good, because I am an
obstinate child, stubborn and have a will of my own. I was spoiled being the youngest in the
family. She told me that God has His own way of converting people. Simplicity was very well
explained to me. She gave me examples easy enough to do as a beginner.
AUGUST 20, 1948
This was somewhat a Red Letter Day for me. I was in our cell, fixing our bed, when I heard a
sound similar to that of a bird flapping its wings. When I looked up, I noticed a strong, sweet
smell and then I saw petals falling from nowhere, because there was no hole in the ceiling. When
the petals reached the floor they formed into a cross, so I said to myself: O, my Jesus what is
happening to me now? I did not run this time, but simply walked towards the door of Mothers
office. I asked her to go to our cell to see the petals. She had asked me where I got those petals. I

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told her I did not get them, but only saw them falling from above. Both of us could not solve the
mystery. Mother Prioress gathered the petals and brought them with her.
MY REACTION: It remained a mystery to me. (It is a mystery which Mama Mary alone can
solve after so many, many years.) Fear did not creep into my soul. I felt somehow that I was
heading towards some consolations. I was not scared; on the contrary I was happy because there
was nothing ugly or unbecoming in what I saw. The sweet fragrance, if I may say so, made me
feel that heaven was so near Lipa, Carmel. I remembered what Mama Mary told me about being
simple, so I just trusted and believed in Mama Marys love and care. I felt I was just a child who
received a grand gift from a loving mother. Mama Mary henceforth became the essence of my
life. She made me feel loved.
I cannot remember the date, when suddenly I was being pulled down the stairs and felt I had
nothing on. Just as well, Mother Prioress was outside her cell and saw me. She immediately ran
to me and grabbed my hand, trying to pull me up, while someone was pulling me down. I was
already feeling so weak, and thought I was going to die from exhaustion. It was like a tug-of-war
game. But with Gods grace Mother Prioress made a sudden and strong pull and the next thing I
remember was the devil lost his grip and Mother won. She embraced me and brought me to her
office, almost out of breath because of her asthma. Then I asked Mother whether she saw me
with no habit on. I was happy when she told me I had my habit on all the time during the
struggle. The following day, Mother Prioress brought me to the parlor to see Bishop Obviar. Still
confused, I asked His Excellency to kindly explain to me what had happened. He was so kind
enough to tell me that the devil can play tricks of all kinds. He can make you feel you had
nothing on, but in truth you were wearing your postulant dress, said the Bishop. What a relief!
But then all of a sudden darkness surrounded meI could not see anything. I was blind! Trouble
started in the Community from this day on. That time I also felt that my whole body was being
pricked by pins and needles. The pain was not so bad most specially when I learned that these
sufferings were for certain priests and nuns.
September 1, 1948
I detected the presence of Mama Mary in our cell. I cried tears of joy. When I asked her who she
was, she gave me three letters: B, V, M, meaning the Blessed Virgin Mary. What greater blessing
could I ask for! Who would not love Mama Mary! She was so human and her voice sounded so
real. She told me that our Mother Church would lose many vocations and that was why she was
appealing for prayers, penance, and sacrifices. I was so surprised at what I just heard, because
before entering Carmel, I was ignorant of what was happening around the world. My time
literally was spent on the piano, three hours in the morning and another three hours in the
afternoon, practicing for my grand recital.

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My blindness gave me a lot of time to pray more to love more, and to analyze the messages of
Mama Mary. I thank God for the grace He gave me to be able to understand my situation.
Hurting words were said about Mother Prioress and myself. But we would not blame our
detractors because they knew nothing about what was happening. Jealousy and envy cropped
up, followed by malicious accusations of familiarity and favoritism. I felt sorry for those whose
peace of mind was disturbed. All these trials were part of the intense moral sufferings both
Mother and I had to go through. Thanks be to God, we were sustained by His grace and all these
did not dampen our faith and courage. But if left alone, we would not have survived! It was truly
a crucifixion of sorts for Mother Prioress and myself.
On one occasion, I thanked Mother Prioress for covering me with our blanked when the night
was cold. She did this twice. She was surprised when I told her this because she had not done so.
It must have been Mama Mary then! How could I refuse her anything, no matter how hard and
difficult the sufferings could be.
Almost every day, I suffered pricks of pain like pins and needles. I offered all these for priests
and nuns. During those days, we believed that priests and nuns were the representatives of
Christ on earth. To me, they all seemed to be so holy. The Sisters in school sometimes showed
impatience but they have sufficient reasons to be so. I once asked Mother Prioress why things
happen this way. She told me that we all need prayers, priests and nuns included.
On another occasion, one of the Sisters promised to bring me to the garden for a walk. After this,
I was led back to our cell. I smelt a sweet fragrance again and immediately guessed that Mama
Mary was in our cell. Yes she was! She told me to gather all the petals on our bed. Even though I
was blind, I did.
Before she left the cell, I begged her on bended knees to please allow me to kiss her feet. Much to
my surprise, she consented. I could hardly believe, but it was really very true. I felt I could not
do it, because it was such a big grace to me, and I felt so unworthy. But I did it! My feeling was
beyond description. I was about to kiss the other foot when I thought to myself, kissing one foot
was more than enough for me. I did not want to abuse her generosity. I thought that if I kissed
the other foot, I would die of joy. Some Sisters told me I was stupid (tanga), because I did not
grab that opportunity to kiss the other foot. Her foot bore a very sweet fragrance and her skin
was very smooth. After this, she disappeared. If anyone could explain how I felt interiorly, God
bless him through Mama Mary. Heaven must be so beautiful!
September 4, 1948
I noticed that Mother Prioress was with me often than before. I really appreciated her charity
very much. She told me stories about people who were blind, and how much they had to suffer.
She told me that there was a difference between being blind from birth and blind due to sickness
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or accident. She asked me which of the two would bring greater hardship. I answered her:
Mother, for me, perhaps being born blind would be easier to take, because one would not have
any idea of the beauty of the world which God created for us, its nature, people with different
cultures; the beauty of the sunrise and sunset which occur every day of the year; the beauty of
the moon and the stars at night, etc. They get used to seeing nothing but darkness. But there is
one consolation to look forward to HEAVEN. The very thought that heaven promises eternal
happiness is enough incentive for the blind to do better to attain the goal that they desire so
much to reach. On the other hand, when a person becomes blind through sickness or an
accident, this would be so much harder to take because he had already seen what the world
looks like, most especially the people close to his heart.
In Carmel, we were taught how to practice the spirit of death and holy indifference. I could have
asked Mother Prioress if I would recover my sight, but I refrained from doing so because Mama
Mary's call to penance was far more important than my curiosity. I hope and prayed that I, with
God's grace, would be able to contribute a little to this call of the Mother of God. Jesus must be
so sad to have sent His own Mother to come down to earth to tell men of His message of love. I
think of her role as a Mother and an intercessor between God and His people. Perhaps this
explains the title of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace, she who mediates between God and His
people.
September 5, 1948
I was prepared this day to undergo some physical pains, because Mama Mary asked me if I was
ready to suffer in silence. She told me that this day's pains should be offered for several priests
who were in danger of losing their vocation. Yes, the pain seemed to be as though I was lying on
top of a bed full of pins and needles. My back was the most affected. The grace of God and the
intention and reason for these pains gave me the courage to endure them. I hoped and prayed
that these consecrated souls would realize that they were called to fight and defend the true
Church of Christ. And if these souls did not have the courage to do so, then they should turn to
Mama Mary for help to win the battle for the love of her only Son. She would never abandon her
spiritual children. She would always be at our side to lead us to total indifference towards
worldly matters. She was given to us as our Mother on Calvary, and for this reason, one lost soul
would truly break her heart.
My little prayer to Mama Mary was a prayerful complaint. Mama Mary, I said. Please help
me. I am just a little one, yet I suffer like an adult. I feel I am going to die, and I will be happy to
go, not that I do not want to suffer, but because I want to be with you, Mama Mary.
Separation is not known in the language of Heaven; on the contrary, unity and love reign in the
kingdom of God. A holy soul told me that in Heaven, eternal happiness means seeing God
eternally with Mama Mary.
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September 7, 1948
Mother Prioress was very happy because it was her birthday. After the Mass, Mother brought me
to the parlor to see Bishop Obviar to get his blessing. I was happy to hear his voice again. After
the blessing and greetings to Mother Cecilia, I felt fingers make the Sign of the Cross on both my
eyes. I recovered my sight and I jumped with joy. I was happy to see both Bishop Obviar and
Mother Cecilia very happy too.
I was tempted to ask Mother Prioress who touched my eyes, but I refrained from doing so. Little
hidden sacrifices were so valuable in our spiritual life, so I suppressed my curiosity and up to
this time, I have no idea as to who touched my eyes.
I was very happy to celebrate Mother's birthday with the whole community. One had to be blind
to appreciate the value of seeing again. Thanks be to God
SEPTEMBER 8, 1948
Today is our Mama Marys birthday. I have nothing to give her but a private renewal of my love
and trust. She has given me valuable inspiration with regard to looking at the bond between a
mother and her child. The child is usually closer to its mother as it is she who nurtures the child
in her womb for nine months. As the child grows inside a mothers womb, the stronger the tie
will be between them both. From the first day Mama Mary conceived her Son, she understood
what motherhood meant. She knew that faith and love would strengthen her because these
virtues are beautifully engraved in her heart. It is the same faith and love which now fills her
heart with great desire to bring souls to Heaven. How can we value the real meaning of love
without faith which is important in our spiritual life?

The days between September 7 and September 12 were quiet ones for me. I had physical pains,
but not as intense as before. I fainted for the first time in my life. Then I saw myself walking with
a priest on a path covered with thistles and thorns. We were very careful not to step on the thorns
sticking out all along the path.
Suddenly I saw the priest in pain. Looking at his foot, I saw a big thorn stuck deeply there. I tried
but could not remove the thorn. Whom should I call but Mama Mary for help. I was so happy she
took pity on him because after a little while, the thorn became a rose and a little angel bent over
the foot of the priest, took a rose and gave it to Mama Mary, who was waiting with a beautiful
smile at the end of this path. Her hands were extended as if waiting for us to reach her. We ran
towards her as fast as we could but she disappeared. When I came to, I realized it was all was a

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dream. I told Mother Cecilia who said it was definitely not a dream. Whatever it was, I was very
happy because Mama Marys love was clearly manifested again to me.
I saw a blue bird fly towards our jasmine vine in the garden to pick a flower. I did not give
much thought to this bird until I reached our cell. I was so surprised to see the bird fly out of the
cell. I then noticed that the room was so fragrant. I ran downstairs to look for this bird, but
could not find it. So, I went back to our cell, determined to uncover the mystery of this bird. Sure
enough, a jasmine flower was neatly placed beside a small statue of Mama Mary. Since we were
not allowed to keep anything for ourselves during those days, I gave the flower to Mother
Prioress. It was really a big sacrifice for me to give up that one small flower, knowing that there
was a story behind it. How could one tiny flower give so much sweet fragrance to the room!
The community also noticed the blue bird because of its beautiful chirping. According to the
sisters, the bird is still around.
Some days later I again fainted and saw myself brought to a spacious room. In the middle of
the room stood our Lady in plain white and long gown with St. Cecilia, patroness of music was
beside her. Mama Mary gave me a beautiful smile, but did not say anything. St. Therese standing
to the right of Our Lady said: Love much for you are much loved. Then I saw a little blue
bird flying above Mama Mary. It was the same one I saw before. Whatever role this bird played
in this story, I do not know.
Before the day ended, I suddenly felt pricking pains again. Since it was night time, nobody knew
about it. I realized how hard it is to suffer pains without knowing why.
SEPTEMBER 9, 1948
One afternoon I fainted again then saw myself in a beautiful garden walking with Mama
Mary.. The garden was so beautiful, one could say it had every kind of flower in the world.
Thinking of the greatness of God was inevitable. Just thinking of how God made all those lovely
flowers with different shapes, colors and fragrances, makes us feel that he must have loved the
world so much to have created all these things for us to admire. Birds of different kinds and
colors flew over Mama Mary. One bird made a sound so unique and different from all the others
in that big garden. I was convinced that this blue bird had something to do with Mama Mary.
We walked until we reached a big fountain with the statue of the Sacred Heart. While admiring
the beautiful face of Jesus, I saw blood coming out of His Heart. A few seconds later, I saw
Mama Mary beside Him. Her heart was pierced with seven swords. Instead of blood, water came
out of it. I was stunned because I was expecting to see blood from Mama Marys heart. After
both of them disappeared, I was quite perplexed knowing I had seen a mystery. All of a sudden, I
saw Mama Mary beside me. I was waiting for her to tell me why water was coming out from her
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heart. She did not say anything about it at all. She told me that her heart aches all the more
when some nuns ridicule her.
Before we parted, I was determined to find out why she did not speak to me when I saw her with
St. Therese and St. Cecilia. Mama Mary, I asked. Why did you not speak to me when I was
brought to the big room? She answered: Because I had no permission to do so. Greatly
surprised, I asked her: You are the Mother of God, yet you have to ask permission to talk to
others? Yes, my child, was her reply. It is true that I am His Mother, but my Son is God,
King and Lord of the Universe; hence, I too must obey Him.
What a beautiful lesson for each one of us! No wonder she was chosen to be Mother of Jesus. No
wonder she was brought to Heaven body and soul. We will never get tired of meditating on
Marys virtues. Let us think and ponder on Mama Marys heroic faith, her hope against hope, her
love of God and for man. She is one virgin worthy of all honors and worth dying for.
THE APPARITIONS FOR 15 CONSECUTIVE DAYS
SEPTEMBER 12, 1948
At around 5:00 p.m., I walked in the garden (not much of a garden because it was a new
foundation) praying the rosary at the same time. While reciting the third mystery, I passed by a
vine which began to shake. As there was no wind blowing at all, I thought perhaps a big lizard
or snake had gotten on the vine because of the way it shook.
Suddenly I heard a womans voice saying: Fear not my child. Recognizing her voice, I
immediately knelt down, turning my head from left to right, expecting to see her. Then the voice
continued: Kiss the ground and do whatever I tell you to do. Eat some grass, my child.
(Perhaps this command was to test my simplicity and obedience.) I want you to visit me here in
this spot for fifteen consecutive days. I stood up overcome with great surprise. I was so happy
to hear her voice again. On the other hand, I was still in doubt about receiving such a grace. I
tried to continue the rosary, but was unable to do so. All that was on my mind was what the
sweet, sweet voice told me and I could not help but ask Why me?
In obedience to Mother Prioress instructions, I went to see her and told her about the message,
after which she told me to retire early and not to worry about anything. That evening, as I knelt
to say my night prayers, a peaceful feeling came over me. It was as if I were in the arms of
Mama Mary, like a child sure of a mothers love and care. Thinking thus, I fell soundly asleep.
SEPTEMBER 13, 1948
I woke up immediately when I heard the clapper but I could not see a thing. I felt for my eyes and
thanked God they were still there. I could close and open them, but I could not see a thing. So I
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stayed in bed and prayed the rosary. After a while, I heard Mother Prioress asking me what
happened, why I was still in bed. She chided me for overstaying in bed, when I should be in the
choir for mental prayers. So I asked her to take a look at my eyes, because I could not see
anything and was afraid something must have gone wrong with them. She could not find
anything wrong nor did she say anything. However, she helped me get dressed to attend Mass.
After we had left our cell, I suddenly could see normally. Mother ask me if I could already see. I
nodded. We joined the community in the choir and thanked Jesus for giving me back my sight.
The Sisters had no idea what was happening to me. Our lips were sealed at that time.
At about 5:00 p.m. of the same day, I returned to the garden. While I was saying the rosary, the
vine moved again and lo and behold, I saw a very beautiful Lady, her hands clasped on her
bosom with a golden rosary hanging from her right hand. She wore a pure white dress held
simply at the waist by a narrow belt. Her bare feet rested on a cloud two feet above the ground.
Her face was beautifully radiant. Her smile did not have a trace of sadness. She spoke to me in
English.
I did not want to take my eyes off her. I could have stayed there forever just looking at such
indescribably beautiful face. There was something so ethereal about her eyes. She gave me the
impression of so much love, so much concern, and so much maternal care manifested from the
way she looked at me.
As she spoke, I knew her voice as the same one I heard in our cell. She said my child, come
here faithfully rain or shine. Please pray for priest and nuns and help me by doing some
penance for them. Pray for them as you have not prayed before. The Sacred Heart of my Son
bleeds anew for every fallen priest or nun. Pride has kept them away from the true fold and
shame has hardened their hearts. Then she said, I give you now my blessing, little one.
Beautiful Lady, who are you? I asked. "I am your mother. Then she vanished. I could not
understand why I received such grace, knowing only too well my many failings. I was puzzled
and confused, wondering whether Mama Mary made a mistake in choosing me. I only remember
that peace and happiness enveloped my soul.
SEPTEMBER 14, 1948
I hurriedly walked towards the vine, because I was a little late. She was already there! She was
waiting with extended arms, as if she wanted to embrace me. Before she could say anything, I
begged her to forgive my tardiness. Then I told her: Siguro po naman you know where I was
before coming here. She expressed her desire to have the place blessed the following day. This
place, she said, will always be a reminder that she had been there. She asked me not to forget
what would take place on that spot. After blessing me, she disappeared.
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SEPTEMBER 15, 1948

During the blessing our Lady asked for, the Bishop asked me to kneel beside him as everybody
else cast down their eyes. His Excellency witnessed a very private shower of the petals. I did
not know until later that the shower was in answer to Bishop Obviars doubts. He was struck
dumb and could not speak for sometime.
We said the rosary together. The sisters gathered the petals. We were wondered why some petals
turned to ashes when some sisters picked them up. I was then accused by some sisters of
throwing the petals myself. I took the accusation silently. If indeed I were the guilty one, where
did I get the petals and how were they given to me? Who could have supplied me with all those
petals? In Carmel, neither a fully professed sister nor a mere postulant, was allowed to go to the
turn which is the only access we have to speak to the Out-Sisters. We could not go to any room
freely without sufficient reason and permission from the Mother Prioress. So, I just remained
silent. Suddenly I began gasping for breath, feeling I was about to die. I whispered to Mother
Prioress who was kneeling beside me not to worry because I was not afraid to face death. Had
death came to me right there, I would have been very, very happy to go.
Mama Mary gave me the message for the community:
I ask you to please believe me and keep this a profound secret among you until I advise you
otherwise.
Love one another as true Sisters who belong to one family.
Come and visit me frequently here. Love your Mother Prioress very much. Please do not envy
your little Sister, because she is suffering much. No one knows about this except your Mother
Prioress.
Make this spot sacred and venerate it because I want this monastery to be known as Our
Ladys Carmel. These messages are meant for each one of you in this Carmel. I bless you all.
September 16, 1948
The following day, I saw for the first time Mama Mary descending so gracefully from above
accompanied by little angels. Her white dress billowed slightly to a gentle breeze. She seemed
transparent, her hands clasped together. The little angels had their hands clasped too, but I
could not tell whether they had wings. As Mama Mary descended, the little angels disappeared
one by one. It was so beautiful to see, one could have died of delight at the sight.
She looked unhappy as she reached the vine. Had I done something wrong, I asked myself. Then
she spoke, Little one, two of my daughters refuse to believe me. They dislike you also. I
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asked her: What do you want me to do my dearest Mama Mary? Pray for them. Let no
bitterness stay in your heart. Have a statue of myself made for my little ones to see me. Describe
me to your Chaplain. I want my statue to look as you see me and be as large as the Lady of
Lourdes standing inside the cloister. Tell your Mother Prioress I am asking the whole community
to pray every afternoon during the remaining days. I bless you all. Then she disappeared.
September 17, 1948
Today, her message was for the whole community. She told me there were Sisters who would give
me a lot of trials to bear. Their faith was not strong enough to believe me. They thought I just
wanted to be popular and to be loved by the people. Some of them followed what they were told
to do out of curiosity while waiting to find the least fault with me and Mother Cecilia. I felt sorry
for them. Had they remained quiet and observant, they would have had the chance to come up
with their own conclusions. Pouting at me, glaring at me and snubbing me were hardly edifying
things for them to do.
Mama Mary had often said she cannot force anyone to believe her. Her messages were always
beautifully said. I had written her messages down in the small notebook left behind in Carmel.
The hardest of heart would have softened, would have believed had they seen her words, but
unfortunately, those poor sisters preferred to remain silent. As all these were bitter for us to
recall, it might be best to forget them.
Mama Mary's message dealt with love love for enemies, love of one's vocation, and
particularly, love for fallen souls who are consecrated to her Son. Towards the end, she said:
My dear little ones, can you ask pardon from your Mother Prioress as some of you have
entertained ill feelings and wrong judgment against her? This community has a special place in
my heart. She continued talking to me, revealing little secrets along the way. From among
those, I can say that some priests lose their way to Heaven. So, while there is still time, they are
given opportunities to choose the right path. Hard though the way is for them, they can be
consoled by the assurance of eternal happiness. After blessing me, she vanished.
September 18, 1948
Our Lady did not appear this time. Wondering, what had gone wrong, I suddenly heard her sad
voice. How can I console you, dearest Mama Mary? Keep on praying and offer some
sacrifices for those who do not believe.
I was told to be aware of the devil's presence. He was very active, strong and determined to
tempt us all. She wants us all to go to Heaven, and to realize eternal happiness there. She said
Trust me. Love me. Believe all I say, because I am your Mother, a loving Mother who cares
for all of you. My Son has suffered for each of you. Those who doubt His love for each soul in
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the world makes Him again feel the pain in Cavalry all because He loves men so much.
When His Heart bleeds, mine bleeds too. Great was my suffering when our eyes met on His
way to Calvary. Our hands were just an inch apart. I wanted to touch Him, to make Him feel that
I was there to stand by Him up to His last breath. God did not will it so. His arms were too weak
to extend another inch to touch mine. Meditate on this, and see how much Mother and Son
worked and suffered together to save the world. Time will come when you can reveal all.
Blessing me, she disappeared among the clouds above.
September 19, 1948
Today Mama Mary made an appearance. I was overjoyed as though I have seen her for the first
time. I have been consoled by your tears and compassionate hearts, my beloved daughters.
For those who did not believe, her message was clear: I love you all and your salvation means
so much to me and my Son. Pray for the grace you need to reach Heaven . For those who
believed, her message was: Temptation will bother you; have courage to fight the enemy. You
will suffer, you will be ridiculed, but fear not, because your faith will bring you to Heaven.
Remember that love gave Him strength up to His death on Calvary.
September 20, 1948
We had a beautiful conversation. It was unforgettable because the message was for me. Little
one, she said. Little one, she said. The word FIAT means a painful sacrifice. It also means
detachment from what we like and all that is required. It is dedication of one's whole life; it
means a loving and willing participation in what my Son wants to do, that is, the Redemption of
men. My response to the angel is of great spiritual value for all mankind. 'Be it done unto me' is
a complete surrender of myself to what God wanted. It is a commitment to lovingly embrace
and save the world. Thus my daughters in Lipa Carmel are asked to join this commitment by
doing penitence and sacrifice for the salvation of the world. Little ones can only offer what they
have. Although small, these things, when done with love, are very pleasing to my Son. After
blessing me, she disappeared.
September 21, 1948
Her message was for a soul consecrated to God. Pray, pray very much for this soul, my
beloved daughters. Help me touch her heart and win her back; she can be among those who
trust me. I want to see her rejoice with my daughters who believe in me. I want to see her win the
battle, rather than to lose it. I want her hatred to turn to love and trust. My little ones, I need
your prayers because I long for her salvation. My Son has given us free will to choose between
eternal happiness or eternal damnation. Keep up your courage, little ones, and ask for strength
to love those who hate you. Remember that Heaven is so beautiful. She reminded us to be

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grateful. As Jesus loved us so much that He gave up the last drop of His Blood to redeem us,
Mama Mary wants to console her beloved Son by offering to Him our acts of gratitude.
September 22, 1948
Mama Mary was there at 5 in the afternoon. She was not so sad anymore. Child, are you
willing to offer something difficult for me today? Yes, my dearest Mama Mary. I will do
anything for you. If you need my life, I will give it to you. Mama Mary give me sufficient grace to
do what you desire. We had a very lengthy conversation, to which I listened intently. I asked her
for the first time to take care of my family's spiritual life. I was so happy to tell her that my dear
father had retracted from Masonry. My brothers however, would not partake of the Sacraments. I
told her I will never give up hope and I was certain that in God's own time, they would be
converted. After blessing me, she disappeared through the clouds.
September 23, 1948
Today, we had another intimate conversation. I will share some of our conversation with you.
She said: I have the permission of my Son to tell you something which will make you happy. All
souls consecrated to God are nearest to HIS HEART. Mama Mary, does it mean that I am
included amongst them although I am only a postulant? I asked. Yes, she answered. Oh
dearest Mama Mary, how can I ever thank you for such good news. Please tell Jesus that I am so
grateful and I promise to be good. Mama Mary said that Jesus was asking for prayers for those
who will give up their vocation. He is thirsting for them, for His love is endless. His concern is
great. Simple words will touch His Heart more than very long prayers with distractions. I love
you, my dear little ones and I will keep you safe under my mantle.

September 24, 1948

Mama Mary said: I want you to consecrate yourselves to me on the 7th of October to become
my beloved slaves. Then she told me a highly sensitive message for Mother Prioress. I cried
and she understood. She blessed me and asked me to offer up all the trials I go through. I
stopped crying and thanked God for everything. Lest I be misunderstood and rashly judged, may
I assure everyone who reads this that what I heard was not immoral in nature. If it pleases God ,
we will all surprised to see several Carmelites of Lipa among those who will one day be elevated
to sainthood along with his Excellency Bishop Obviar.
September 25, 1948
This is our day. How I wish it were longer. She said: Little ones, I committed myself to the Lord,
wholly, lovingly, generously, and sincerely. My commitment required a lot of love and
understanding of the will of God. It also meant that I would play an important role in the
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salvation of men by becoming the Mother of Jesus, God made man. This is the mystery of God's
love. The power that I possess is love, making me present my Son to you the day He was born.
Love gave me courage to look for Him when He was lost in the temple. Love made me bear with
and witness all His sufferings on His way to Calvary. Love gave me strength to follow Him up to
His last hours on the cross. I can never explain how I felt when He was nailed to the cross and
gave up His soul to His Father. No words can describe the pain He endured up to His last
breath. I remained silent but my tears showed my inner pain the world knew how much I had to
bear. To help save souls was my commitment then and will remain so forever. I bless you all, my
little ones. Then she vanished.
September 26, 1948
I felt sad, very sad, but Mama Mary came with a sweet smile: her eyes were so beautiful, her lips
saying something I could not make out, her beauty, and her maternal gestures, her radiance,
everything about her was an image of Heaven. I felt nothing but deep respect, love and awe.
Then suddenly she bent forward calling my attention. I then realized that I had not been listening
to what she was telling me - yet she understood. Then I heard her words: "Little one, tell your
Sisters to love one another. It consoles me to see all of you in one family - My Son's family. Be
simple, humble and obedient to your Mother Prioress. Love much and generously but do not
count the cost. Love entails give and take. The most precious gift to give is the gift of self - your
everything without reserve. The beautiful prayer He taught us sums up all that we need, little
ones. Be good, be simple, be humble and be obedient. But remember that love is above all these
virtues I mentioned."
Then she continued: " Do not forget that my Son is the Way - if you lose your way, He will tell
you: 'Come, my little ones, and I will lead you on the way to Heaven.' He says: 'I am the
Truth.' Jesus reminds you that the Holy Spirit will help you recall and apply His teaching to
your everyday life. Then He says: 'I am your Life' - He makes all realize that sin will destroy
that promised everlasting life, unless you take the thorny and narrow path, carry the cross,
follow Him for at the end of this path is HEAVEN."
She reminded us of the message she had given in her other apparitions in different parts of the
world which remained unheeded. Mama Mary's mission was entrusted to her when her Son
nailed to the cross turned to her and said: "Woman behold your son." Then he said to John:
"Behold your Mother." Let us all realize that with these words, Jesus gave Mama Mary as
Mother to all of us her children. As our Mother, she does not hesitate to plead for our help. She
wants us to share in her joys and sorrows. She was almost begging the whole world to pray the
Rosary everyday, to pray it with all devotion. She is asking us for penance and sacrifice for the
conversion of the world, especially for us, who are consecrated to God.

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Let us accept all suffering with love, gratitude and firm conviction that these trials are given to
us by Jesus for our sanctification as well as that of others. When we go to Mass, let us pause for
a few moments so we can realize that Jesus is coming to us through the Sacrament of the Holy
Eucharist. Thus, we will be able to deny ourselves and take up the cross with Him - thus we are
prepared to consecrate ourselves to the Immaculate Heart of Mama Mary. These are Her
messages to the whole world, young and old, rich and poor.
Before leaving me she said: "Be very good, my little ones. I AM MARY, MEDIATRIX OF ALL
GRACE." Then she disappeared.
The Second Blindness
Having been given the privilege to suffer, I became fully aware of death, as I found it difficult to
breathe because the pain seemed to penetrate the marrow of my bones. The grace of God and m
y commitment to Mama Mary for the conversion of priests and nuns gave the courage to endure
the pain I had to suffer. Yet there was always the fear that I could get deprived of the strength to
endure.
September 30, 1948
Today, Mama Mary made us all very happy. Petals fell into the cells of all the Sisters.
October 3, 1948
I noticed that for every physical or moral suffering I endured, there was a corresponding
consolation. It was October 3, feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, when I received a generous
consolation. On my way up to my cell after Mass, a very strong fragrance of roses filled the
corridor. Upon reaching the staircase, I saw petals falling before me. I wondered where the
petals were coming from. There was nobody else there but petals kept falling on every step of the
stairs. I recall seeing another sister following a few steps behind me. All the steps were covered
with petals by the time I got to the second floor. I quickly called Mother Cecilia, who stood
speechless and motionless as she surveyed the petal-strewn floors and stairs. I could hardly
believe what I saw. Where could these thousands of petals have come from? The Mother Prioress
asked me to call he community. Mama Mary was waiting for me when I entered my cell. It was
indeed a surprise. I immediately knelt down before her but she stooped down to help me up. She
then said: As today is your feast day, I come to give you a very special blessing. She blessed
me and disappeared. I was overjoyed, fully consoled, my trials forgotten. How can I refuse her
anything! That afternoon, as I was talking to Mother Prioress I felt like passing out. Then I was
St. Therese of the Child Jesus, my patron saint, accompanied by many angels, who all looked
alike and happy. St. Therese spoke to me when all the angels had gone. She said simplicity,
humility and obedience, please Jesus and Mama Mary. Since it was also her feast, we greeted
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one another and threw flying kisses to each other. I begged her to kiss Jesus and Mama Mary
for me, after which she disappeared. After she left, I picked up one petal and looked at it closely.
Red in color with a velvety surface, the petal had the scent of roses.
I remember my mothers story about asking for St. Thereses intercession because she wanted
another daughter. I was born some time after that hence, my having been named Teresa.
October 7, 1948
The much awaited dawn finally came. Mass was celebrated at the hermitage by Msgr. Obviar.
His Excellency approached me before the Mass to ask Mama Mary to give him a sign that she
was present during the Mass. As soon as the mass was over, the whole community consecrated
itself to Mama Mary following the devotion of St. Louie-Marie Grignion de Montfort. All of us
were waiting for a shower of roses after our consecration. Mama Mary appeared and motioned
us to go a little nearer. This, my child, is he answer to your Chaplains request. I saw her right
hand touch my eyes after which I lost my sight again. I also could not move my left hand.
I thought the pains were a punishment of sorts for my sins. I meditated on the mercy of God for
several days. I was consoled by His assurance of forgiveness in this passage: Though your sins
be like scarlet, they shall be made white as snow. None of us can fully understand His Divine
love which makes Him forgive our sins. What else is wanting in this Divine Love for men? That,
and a Blessed Mother who intercedes for us as well.
October 13, 1948
Thanks be to God and mama Mary for having my sight. My left arm could now move and feel.
The previous week, Sr. Mary Anne, our infirmarian, pricked my skin with a needle. My skin bled
but I did not feel anything. The needle test now made me feel the pain. Thanks be to God my left
hand got back its sense of touch.
October 15, 1948
Petals fell again on the floor of the hermitage. Just like before, he petals formed into a cross on
the floor. Today is he feast day of our grandmother, St. Therese of Avila.
LAST MESSAGES FOR 1948
October 24, 1948
My taking the cloth today made me happy for having reached the second phase of life in the
novitiate. Here, we lovingly say our sincere and loving yes to Mama Mary, confident that she
will pave a closer union between her Son and us. Since vocation is the secret or our
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sanctification and the pillar of our spiritual life, we are given the grace to hang on to it and
preserve as much as we can. For this reason, we must believe with all our heart and soul what
we openly declare when we say yes. Mama Marys role now is to help us believe that the will
of God for us is to try the religious life and to be holy. Once we join a religious congregation, we
should be prepared to encounter a lot of temptations and as well as doubts as to whether God
really wants us to be among the chosen. Religious life to me means embracing a life of prayer
and sacrifice. This requires a lot of self denial, forgetting ourselves, striving to put our hearts
and souls to acquire a better knowledge of God. This alone needs much prayer. As we persevere
day by day the way God wants, we will be more pleasing to Him with our love for Him
manifesting itself through our interior disposition. Let us put our minds at peace, and never be
disturbed by the enemy of God. He tries his best to snatch us from the loving hands of God. As
long as we live, we can never imitate to perfection our Lord and Mama Mary. It also helps our
spiritual life to pause some time when we are in the state of mental confusion to try to see what
Jesus would have done if He were in our place. We should not aim so high, because we can
never achieve perfection which belongs to God alone. At least, we change in trying to imitate
Him and whatever transpires between Him and us should be a hidden treasure as long as we are
here below. I did realize too, in my quiet moments before the clothing, that we must not only
accept Gods will, but should have a great desire to do His will always, even if it will lead us to
the valley of tears. I also realized that prayer is by no means limited to words only. Our actions
too are prayers provided they are in harmony with what God wants of us. It would be so
consoling for us to realize that our little good deeds could lead others to pray. Action speaks
louder than words. In this second phase of life as a religious, let us be with God always; let us
strive to do nothing, say nothing, and think nothing that would be displeasing to Jesus and
Mama Mary. Let us give them a free hand to mold us in the way they want. One evening I fainted
and saw the Hearts of Jesus and Mama Mary burning. Between these two Hearts was a very
small heart. I could not get the message immediately. The following day during meditation, I
realized that the small heart was mine. It was definitely not burning at all. Perhaps I did not love
God enough.
November 12, 1948
This day, Friday, Mass was celebrated at the Hermitage, near the vine. The whole community
was present. After the blessing, we left the place and while I was walking, I heard a sweet voice
telling me that Mama Mary was waiting for me at the apparition site. I ran to the vine and saw
Mama Mary standing above the vine. She was radiantly beautiful beyond earthly adjectives. She
was in her best today over all the other occasions she had appeared to me but with a touch of
sadness. Then she said: Pray, my child, the people do not heed my words. Tell my daughters
that there will be persecutions, unrest, and the Church will suffer much. Propagate the devotion
to My Immaculate Heart. Pray for the conversion of sinners. Pray for the conversion of sinners.
Pray for those who reject me, and those who do not believe my message in the different parts of
the world. I am sad yet consoled by those who believe me and trust me. May all of you remain
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simple, humble and generous in making sacrifices for priests and nuns. They are closes to the
Heart of my Son. The message with regard to priests and nuns was very important. Then she
added: Pray the Rosary with devotion and spread the value of saying it everyday. The Rosary
will be he instrument for peace and throughout the world. She talked to me about a few other
messages which I have to keep to myself. But be not afraid for the love of my Son will soften the
hardest for hearts and my love for them will give them strength to crush the enemies of God. I
am Mary, MEDIATRIX OF ALL GRACE.
THE SECRET MESSAGE
Pray hard for Chinas dream to invade the whole world. The Philippines is one of its
favorites. Money is the evil force that will lead the people of the world to its destruction.
Message of October 17, 1949

The Roses of Grace: The Apparitions of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace in

Lipa Carmel in 1948
by Rafael M. Villongco
On November 12, 2009, a major development in the history of Marian apparitions occurred.
Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles of Lipa issued an official decree overturning the negative
verdict on the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Discalced Carmelite Monastery in
Lipa, Batangas province, 1948.
If the Lipa apparitions will be declared of supernatural character, Lipa may join the ranks of the
other approved major apparitions such as Guadalupe, La Salette, Lourdes, Fatima, Pontmain,
Beauraing and Banneux, as well as the more recent Akita, Betania, Cuapa, Amsterdam, and
Kibeho.
Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, declared that, "all bans written and unwritten to curtail or
diminish the devotion to Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace be lifted." He then formed a new
theological commission to conduct a thorough investigation and review all documents regarding
the apparitions.
The Visionary
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Teresita L Castillo was born into a prominent and affluent family from Tanauan, Batangas. Her
father, Modesto Castillo was the governor of the province. She was raised and educated in
convent schools. Teresita or "Teresing" as she is affectionately called, had nurtured a vocation to
become a Discalced Carmelite. On her 21st birthday on July 4, 1948, she fled her home to enter
the Carmel in Lipa. When her family found out, they tried to dissuade her with threats. But
despite all the pressures, Teresita prevailed in following her call to become a Carmelite nun.
Diabolic Oppression
Within a few weeks after her entrance to Lipa Carmel, on the evening of July 31, 1948, Satan
appeared to Teresita in her cell and attempted to evict her from the monastery. She rejected the
devil but he was very persistent and soon the diabolical harassment was about to escalate.
Teresita described the devil as being 'surrounded by fire' all over his body.
The First Apparition of the Blessed Virgin in Teresita's Cell
On August 18, 1948, Teresita noticed a very heavenly fragrance, and upon entering her room she
saw a very beautiful Lady in white who spoke to her: "Do not fear my daughter, He who loves
above all things has sent me. I come with a message"
Then, the Lady asked Sister Teresita to wash the feet of the Mother Prioress, to kiss it and drink
the water afterwards. Initially, Mother Cecilia, the Prioress, was skeptical of Teresita's claim
until the Lady sent on Teresita's person a sign. Mother Cecilia saw tears of blood on the eyes of
Teresita. The Mother Prioress then believed in Teresita's story about the apparition. Both of them
followed the Lady's very unusual request for the washing of the feet. The Lady said that the
washing was a "sign of humility and obedience" and a way to thwart the plans of the adversary.
The visionary, Teresita was astonished by the rapid succession of supernatural events
surrounding her. It is said that Teresita inquired: "What is this? Is life really like this in
Carmel?"
The Fifteen Apparitions at the Cloister Garden and the Messages
On Sunday afternoon, September 12, 1948, the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, Teresita, while
taking a walk at the cloister garden, was amazed when saw a vine shaking violently although
there was no wind. She approached the vine and heard the Lady's voice telling her: "Do not fear,
my child. Kiss the ground and whatever I shall tell you to do, you must do. Eat some grass, my
child."
Teresita followed the Lady's request to eat some grass. The same had been asked of Saint
Bernadette Soubirous at Lourdes in 1858. "I wish that you come here to visit me on this spot for
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fifteen consecutive days be it rain or shine." Teresita didn't see the Lady but she only heard her
voice.
On September 13 at five o' clock in the afternoon, Teresita returned at the garden, she knelt and
prayed the "Hail Mary". Upon saying the words "full of grace" she saw the vine moving and
then see saw the most beautiful Lady with her hands clasped in prayer holding a golden Rosary
on her right hand. The Lady was clothed with an immaculate white gown and a narrow belt. She
was barefoot and her feet were resting on a cloud floating about two to three feet above the
ground. The Lady was very beautiful beyond words.
The Lady said, Please pray for priests and nuns and help me by making penance for them. Pray
for them as you have never prayed before. The Sacred Heart of My Son bleeds anew for every
fallen priest or nun. To some, pride was the obstacle to return to the true fold and shame
hardened their hearts."
Teresita asked the Lady: "Who are you?" The Lady replied: "I am your Mother and am the
Mother of my Son, Jesus."
The next day at the same time, Teresita went to the same place at the vine and she found the Lady
already waiting for her, with her arms outstretched as if she ready to embrace Teresita.
"I wish this place to be blessed tomorrow" the Lady requested. Teresita asked: "At what time, my
dear Lady?" The Lady replied: "At anytime your Mother Prioress wants. My child, I forbid you
to forget the incidents of these fifteen days." The Lady gave her maternal blessing to Teresita and
then vanished.
The blessing of the garden took place at three o 'clock in the afternoon of September 15. The
Chaplain of Carmel, Bishop Alfredo Maria Obviar, officiated the ritual. The Lady appeared
again to Teresita but was only visible to her. She outstretched her arms as if to gather everyone
present in her maternal embrace.
The Lady asked Teresita to get a sheet of paper and pencil to write her message: "My daughters:
I ask you to believe in me and to keep this as a secret among yourselves for the time being. Love
one another as true sisters. Come and visit me here often. Love your Mother Prioress very much.
Make this spot holy and venerate the grounds. I wish this monastery be known as Our Lady's
Carmel."
It was after that apparition and the blessing by Bishop Obviar that the nuns witnessed for the
first time, the sudden and mysterious appearance of rose petals. The shower of rose petals was
the sign which Bishop Obviar prayed for in order to prove the authenticity of Teresita's visions.

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Teresita returned to the vine at about five in the afternoon and the Lady gave another message:
"I ask this from Carmel: I wish that my image be place here on this spot. This place must be
cleaned so that it may become a shrine for prayer."
On September 16, the Lady appeared to Teresita accompanied by little angels or cherubims. The
Lady with a very sad countenance came with this message: "Little one, two of my daughters
refuse to believe me. They dislike like you also." Then the Lady continued: "I wish a statue of
myself to be made so that my little ones can see. Describe me to your Chaplain. I wish my statue
to look as you see me and as big as that of Our Lady of Lourdes which stands in the cloister."
There was also a message given for a sister who did not believe in the apparitions: "To my
daughter who does not believe me, I do not oblige you to believe. But do not block nor debase
my sacred place nor despise my words"
On September 24, the Lady asked the Carmelite community for a Total Consecration to the
Blessed Virgin Mary according to the spirituality of Saint Louis Grignion de Montfort from his
treatise, "True Devotion to Mary."
Sunday, September 26 was the last of the fifteen days of Teresita's encounter with the Lady at the
vine. The Lady said to her: "Do not forget that My Son is the Way, the Truth and the Life My
child, you must love and obey your Mother Prioress. Tell the sisters to love one another and to
practice the virtues of humility and simplicity which I love most. Tell them to love and obey their
superiors and not to forget that things I ask. Do not forget to consecrate yourself to me on
October."
The Lady finally identified herself: "I am Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace. I shall bless the
community morning and evening." Blessing the novice, the Lady disappeared.
Teresita Suffers the Passion of Christ and had other Mystical Experiences
On Friday, November 5, the Sisters witnessed Teresita suffer the Passion of Our Lord. At noon,
Teresita lost consciousness and has outstretched arms as if being crucified, her feet taking the
same position as Jesus on the cross. She suffered the three-hour agony of Jesus. The Seven Last
Words were reenacted through Teresita. At exactly three o'clock, the exact time commemorating
the death of Christ, Teresita bowed her head--the sisters thought she really died.
It is also reported that Teresita had other mystical experiences such as receiving Holy
Communion from an angel on occasions when she was unable to attend Holy Mass because she
was sick in bed. She had visions of the Sacred Heart, of many angels and saints including Saint
Cecilia and Saint Therese of the Child Jesus.

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Teresita also claimed to have received secrets from the Blessed Virgin. She said that there was
one for herself, one for the Carmelite community of Lipa, one for the world, and one for China.
Mother Cecilia on the other hand was said to be a recipient of 'interior locutions' or an inner
voice telling her to assist Teresita during her sufferings.
The Final Apparition of Our Lady in Lipa Carmel
The Lady appeared for the last time at the vine and gave her most important message to Teresita
and for the whole world: "Pray my child. The people do not listen to my words. Tell my
daughters that there will be persecutions, unrest and bloodshed in your country. The enemy of
the Church will try to destroy the Faith which Jesus had established and died for. The Church
will suffer much. Pray for the conversion of sinners throughout the world. Pray for those who
rejected me and those who do not believe my messages in the different parts of the world. I am
really sad but consoled by those who believe and trust me. Spread the meaning of the Rosary
because this will be the instrument for peace throughout the world. Tell my people that the
Rosary must be prayed with devotion. Spread the devotion to My Immaculate Heart. Do penance
for priests and nuns. But do not be afraid, for the love of My Son will soften the hardest of hearts
and my motherly love will be their strength to crush the enemies of God. What I ask here is the
same I asked at Fatima. I bless this community in a very special way. All these can be revealed
now. I repeat to you that I am Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace. This is my last apparition on this
place." The Lady ascended to the clouds and vanished.
The Shower of Rose Petals Continues
A few days later after the final apparition of Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace, the incredible
phenomenon of the shower of rose petals started to occur outside the monastery. Hundreds and
then, thousands of people started to flock to Lipa Carmel to witness the rain of roses from
heaven.
The Bishop of Lipa, Monsignor Alfredo Verzosa was furious about the new phenomenon and so,
he ordered a halt to the public veneration of the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mediatrix of
All Grace. On November 19, he rushed to visit the sisters in order to put an end to the events at
Carmel. When he was about to enter the door; he was stunned when he was greeted by the
shower of rose petals. Since then, he had a change of heart. He allowed the image of the
Mediatrix to be displayed again at the glass window for veneration by the faithful. He also gave
permission for the release of the official account.
The pilgrims who flocked to Lipa Carmel with the hopes of witnessing a petal shower increased
in great numbers as months passed. The public's fascination towards Lipa was overwhelming.
Almost every day, news coverage about the apparitions and the rose petal showers were a daily
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staple in the various national and international media. It is reported that on November 11, 1949,
the First Lady of the Commonwealth at that time, Mrs. Aurora Quezon, and her entourage went
on pilgrimage to Carmel and witnessed the phenomenon of the rose petal showers. Bishop
Alfredo Obviar testified that he also witnessed the miracle of the roses.
The Miracles and Healings
Many miraculous cures and conversions were reported by the use of the rose petals from Lipa.
The blind were restored to sight and the sick were healed. The most publicized was the cure of a
one-year old baby named Maria Socorro Mendoza Dichoso who was born with a soft head and
had a hole on her skull.
When her mother went on pilgrimage to Lipa Carmel, she was given a rose petal by the nuns.
Socorro's mother made a novena to Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Grace and then applied the petal
on the child's head. The hole on the baby's skull suddenly disappeared and the brain receded.
This healing was confirmed by x-rays.
One outstanding cure was that of Melania Maria Sunga of Candon, Ilocos Sur who was a 9 year
old child then suffering from 'club foot'. Her foot was so deformed that it was wasted away to
almost skin and bones. She made her way to school by limping and jumping. In 1949, her uncle
who was a seminarian during the Lipa apparitions, now Bishop Edmundo Abaya, gave her
mother a bottle of water that was placed overnight beside the statue of the Mediatrix of All
Grace. Melania's mother also made a novena to the Blessed Virgin and then applied the Lipa
water.
One morning, Melania walked around the house and to the amazement of her family, her club
foot had straightened out. This caused excitement among the family and neighbors. Neighbors
remarked when they noticed a strong fragrance of roses around the Sunga residence. Meanwhile,
the Sunga family was amazed when they witnessed a shower of rose petals right in their own
home.
The statue of Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace also became the focus of attention after some time:
pilgrims reported to witness the statue coming to life and moving in its glass case. The eyes of
the Virgin's statue were raised and seen gazing afar. The pilgrims also witnessed the rosary
moving, as if the statue was fingering the rosary.
The Carmel Chapel
On January 23, 1949, the cornerstone was laid for the future Church of Our Lady, Mary
Mediatrix of All Grace, officiated by Bishop Alfredo Obviar. About thirty to fifty thousand

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pilgrims were present for the event. The Church was completed within two years and was funded
entirely by donations of the pilgrims.
The Persecutions
Soon the events at Lipa were abused by some, especially through commercialization: fake rose
petals were sold and issued to pilgrims. The Carmel of Lipa suffered a series of trials one after
another. On January 23, 1950 Bishop, Verzosa was suddenly transferred without prior notice
from Lipa and virtually all episcopal power was handed over to an Apostolic Administrator.
After that, Mother Mary Cecilia of Jesus, was ordered to leave Lipa Carmel and was replaced
with a new mother prioress. Bishop Obviar was also relieved of his duties as Auxiliary Bishop of
Lipa. Soon, people and the media started to accuse to accuse the nuns of 'orchestrating' the petal
showers with the use of a blower and also of enriching themselves.
Teresita was interrogated by psychologist, Father Angelo Blas, O.P. a Dominican priest from the
University of Santo Tomas in Manila. He was reported to have attempted to have her renounce
the apparitions. She refused to do so. A psychiatrist, Dr. Pardo reportedly intimidated the
visionary to make her admit that she was insane and was just seeking attention. There were also
reports that they forced Teresita to so sign a false document but she refused. However, a final
report by Father Blas stated: "Teresita Castillo is perfectly normal and not suffering from
hallucinations or other mental disorder."
The Negative Verdict and the Suppression
The official investigation concluded that "events at Lipa Carmel including the rose petal showers
exclude any supernatural invention." The signatories were; Archbishop Gabriel Reyes of Manila,
Bishop Cesar M. Guerrero of San Fernando, Bishop Mariano Madriaga of Lingayen, Bishop
Rufino Santos- Administrator of Lipa, Bishop Vicente Reyes-Auxiliary Bishop of Manila and
Bishop Juan Sison,- Auxilary Bishop of Nueva Segovia. The document was also signed by the
Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Egidio Vagnozzi.
Several years later, these same bishops who signed the negative report on the events of Lipa
Carmel would later confess on their deathbeds that they were coerced to sign a negative verdict
against their own free will under pain of excommunication. A thorough investigation appeared to
be lacking. Neither Bishop Obviar nor Bishop Verzosa were interviewed by the commission to
investigate the apparitions. It is interesting to note that the bishops responsible for the negative
verdict on Lipa, kept their rose petals given to them by the nuns.
After the Church's decision was issued; the nuns were ordered to destroy all materials connected
to the apparitions. They burned Teresita's diary as well as Mother Mary Cecilia's. The image of
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Our Lady was also ordered destroyed but the nuns didn't have the strength to do so; they devised
means to save it. All who were directly involved in the apparitions were made to suffer. Very
strict sanctions were imposed on the Carmelite community at Lipa. The doors of the monastery
were closed, not only to applicants to the religious life but also from the outside world. The nuns
were even forbidden to see members of their own families. For a long time, Sister Elizabeth, an
out sister, single-handedly supported the community through begging. She was the only nun
permitted to look after the physical needs of the community.
Teresita on the other hand, left Carmel never to return due to the advice of the new (French)
Mother Prioress, Ma Mere, who replaced Mother Mary Cecilia of Jesus. She tearfully advised
Teresita to leave the monastery on her own volition so that it would enable her to reenter Carmel
whenever she would be ready. She was not admitted for profession of vows because she lacked a
full year of residency in the convent. This was however due to her trips to Manila for inquiries
into the apparitions.
The Lipa apparitions were suppressed for 40 years but the devotees of Mary Mediatrix believed
in silence and were obedient to the Church. They were steadfast in their faith that one day, the
case would be reopened and the apparitions declared authentic.
The Revival
In the early 1990's, through the effective investigative reporting of broadcast journalist, June
Keithley- Castro, the case on Lipa was reopened. Her report pointed to a less thorough,
incomplete and rushed investigation by the bishops who signed the negative verdict which
consigned Lipa into oblivion. Since the appearance of her documentary and book on "Lipa" ,
devotion to the Mediatrix has revived and people stated to make their way on pilgrimages to
Lipa Carmel.
Sometime in February, 1990 a new unusual phenomenon was reported in the Granja District of
Lipa City. A white luminous silhouette of Our Lady began allegedly to appear every evening on
the leaves of a tall coconut tree. The image was visible for 90 consecutive nights. Then on May
21, 1990, Sr. Alphonse, who witnessed Teresing's blindness pleaded on her deathbed that the
statue of Our Lady, Mary Mediatrix of All Grace be exposed again for public veneration at the
Chapel of the Carmelite Monastery. Her request was granted the very next day.
On January 24, 1991, the shower of rose petals from the sky was reported again in Lipa Carmel.
A few days later, a group of six children were playing in the front garden of the Carmel
monastery when they saw the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel come to life and shed tears.
The late Archbishop Mariano Gaviola gave permission to display again the statue of Mary
Mediatrix of All Grace. In March 1993, in the presence of thousands of pilgrims at Carmel, he
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declared his personal conviction that the Lipa events were "worthy of belief". Since then,
pilgrims have flocked to Lipa and every September, the date of the first apparition, became a
National Day of Prayer and Consecration.
The Lifting of the Ban
There were more developments that happened when Archbishop Ramon Arguelles took over the
Archdiocese of Lipa in 2004. Before an International Mariological Conference held in Lourdes,
France on September 2008, Archbishop Arguelles stated bluntly: "Yes, Mary Mediatrix of All
Grace did appear in Lipa."
On November 12, 2009, the anniversary of the last apparition of Mary Mediatrix, Archbishop
Arguelles took a big step forward in resolving the issue on the Marian apparitions at Lipa. He
issued a decree stating that "all bans written or unwritten to curtail or diminish the devotion to
Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace be lifted." He also formed a theological commission to review the
documents related to the events of Lipa in 1948.
Archbishop Ramon Arguelles further stated: "I believe that the Mediatrix phenomenon is the
most significant event in the local Church of Lipa in the last one hundred years. Undeniably, the
Blessed Virgin Mary is extremely active during the last decades. If she had indeed shown her
presence and delivered her message in various places throughout the world even in some nations
in Asia, how can this 'pueblo amante de Maria" be different and excluded from her powerful
intervention?"
The devotees of Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace are now eagerly waiting for the official findings of
the new commission and the final pronouncement of the Archdiocese of Lipa on the apparitions.

Lynch Kristoffer Flores

April 12 at 1:27pm Edited

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Let me share with you a conversation I had with Sr Teresing many many years ago.
(I tried to remember from memory her exact words) I was asking her regarding
some details of the "event"
Sr Teresing: Alam mo Bro Lynch noon ko pa talaga gusto makapasok sa Carmel.
Noong Ako ay 18 nagsabi na ako kay Mother Cecilia kaya lang ang sabi nya
antayin ko ng mag 21 ako para wala akong magiging problema. Kaya I continued
my studies and then noon July 4 ng madaling araw ako ay legal na, ako ay 21 na,
umalis ako sa amin upang ituloy ang pangarap ko mag madre. Inaantay ako ng jeep
ni Bishop Obviar.
Me: Sister ibig sabihin talagang sinunod nyo lang po ang bilin ni Mo Cecilia na
mag 21 at iniwan nyo ang lahat ng ganun lang?
Sr Teresing: Oo. Kaya nga mabigat sa kanila ang pagalis ko kasi hindi ko man lang
inantay na makatapos sa aking recital at nakahanda na ang lahat para doon.
Sr Teresing: You know what Bro Lynch ever since I really had the desire the enter
Carmel. When I was 18 I told Mother Cecilia my intention but then she told me to
wait until I am 21 so there wont be any problem so I continued my studies for
some more years and then on the 4th of July 1948, during the wee hours (very
early morning) I know I am of legal age, I am 21 years old, I left home to pursue
my dream to become a sister. The jeep of Bishop Obviar was waiting for me
Me: Sister you mean to say that you really literally just waited for you to become
21 and you left home just like that?
Sr Teresing: Yes. That is the very reason why my departure and entrance to carmel
was very difficult for them because I did not even wait for my graduation in a few
months time (October i think-lynch) through the grand piano recital and everyone
is anticipating that very much
(Courtesy: Facebook)

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Vindicated, novice of Lipa apparitions keeps low profile

By Marrah Erika Lesaba, June Keithley
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:26:00 11/22/2009
Filed Under: Religions, Churches (organisations)

MANILA, Philippines--Teresita Castillo, to whom the Virgin Mary reportedly appeared in 1948
when Castillo was a young Carmelite novice, has been declining interview requests following the
lifting of the Church ban against the public veneration of the image of Our Lady, Mediatrix of
All Grace, a devotion that stemmed from the apparitions.
?She [Castillo] has decided to maintain a low profile. We have to respect her [wishes],? said Fr.
Richard Hernandez, the chair of the new commission created by the Church to reopen the
investigation into the apparitions in Lipa.
Hernandez said he was able to interview Castillo, or Teresing as he refers to her, last Thursday.
He said Castillo was so happy and excited when told about the lifting of the ban that he had to
calm her down.
Though she underwent so many hardships during the series of investigations into the veracity of
the apparitions, Castillo has remained humble, he said.
?She never complained or even asked why she was being questioned,? Hernandez said.
He said Castillo, who is now 82 years old, cannot recall the dates when the Virgin Mary appeared
to her but she can clearly state the message that the Blessed Mother wanted her to give the world.
In 1948, the Virgin Mary reportedly appeared 19 times to Castillo, who was a postulant at the
Carmelite convent in Lipa, Batangas. Rose petals with holy images reportedly fell from the sky.
In the last of her appearances to Castillo, the Blessed Virgin is said to have identified herself,
saying ?I am the Mediatrix of All Grace.?
The bishop of Lipa at the time, Alfred Verzosa, believed in the apparitions and allowed the
veneration of the image of Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Grace.
No miracle

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In 1951, however, the Church hierarchy declared that ?there was no supernatural intervention in
the reported extraordinary happenings, including the shower of rose petals in Lipa.?
Verzosa?s successor, Rufino Santos, ordered that ?no petals be given to anyone by the Lipa
Carmelite community and the statue of Our Lady of Mediatrix be withdrawn from public view.?
The ban was lifted 40 years later by Archbishop Mariano Gaviola in 1991.
On Nov. 12, Gaviola?s successor, Archbishop Ramon Arguelles issued a formal decree lifting the
1951 ban. Arguelles also created the commission, headed by Hernandez, to conduct a new
investigation into the apparitions.
Arguelles said he was merely reiterating Gaviola?s 1991 order and was doing so because he
saw ?nothing wrong in praising the image of the Blessed Mother? and that he knew the ?love of
the people for her.?
He noted that despite the ban, the faithful have continued to go on pilgrimages to the Carmel
monastery in Lipa to pray and ask for favors from the Blessed Mother.
He said the commission will evaluate the documents still available on the events of 1948 to
advise the Church leadership on ?the proper pastoral approach? to the continuing pilgrimage of
people to the site of the apparitions.
International interest
The news that Arguelles had ordered a new investigation and lifted the ban on the public
veneration of the Mediatrix has created interest not just in the local community of devotees but
internationally as well.
The Spiritdaily.com website carried links to two articles published in Inquirer.net as well as its
own well-researched articles from its archives.
Little wonder as the events of 1948 were headlined in national newspapers and reported
internationally. Lipa was referred to as ?the Lourdes of Asia? and Philippine Airlines flew special
flights to fly pilgrims to Lipa.
A special pilgrim image of the miraculous Mediatrix was made and brought to New York and
Madrid. More than 3,000 took part in the procession that was later held on New York?s Second
Avenue.
Those were heady days indeed. Even former President Elpidio Quirino attended a Mass in Lipa
in 1949 and joined the vast crowds in hopes of witnessing a petal shower. Thousands would line
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up for the water in which the petals had been immersed and miraculous healings and conversions
were reported and documented.
The original statue of Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Grace, was commissioned from the sculptor
Cristobal, in accordance with the instructions that Castillo had received from the Virgin Mary: ?I
want a statue of myself to be made so that my little ones can see me. Describe me to your
chaplain because I want my statue to look as you see me, and to be as large as that of Our Lady
of Lourdes which stands inside the cloister.?
?I ask this from Carmel, I wish that my image be placed here. This place must be cleaned so that
it may become a shrine for prayer.?
When the image was finished and revealed for public veneration, many unusual occurrences and
miraculous events were attributed to it. The fragrance of the amazing shower of petals that
occurred from time to time on the grounds outside the convent would fill the air for blocks and
draw thousands of devotees and curiosity seekers.
Harrowing events
A message that the Virgin Mary had given in 1948 seems to foretell the harrowing events that
were to come: ?Do not block or debase my sacred place nor despise my words. ?
Along with the ban it issued in 1951, the Church hierarchy instructed the Carmelites to destroy
everything. The nuns obeyed and burned the diaries, petals and prayer cards, but could not bear
to smash the image of the Mediatrix, so they bundled it up in rags and jute and hid it among the
debris in a bodega.
It would be hidden for the next 40 years until Gaviola gave permission for the statue to be
temporarily displayed in 1991. The archbishop soon issued the decree that the image be restored
to public veneration and installed in the side chapel of the convent church where it remains to
this day.
Blighted lives
Apart from the many miraculous healings and conversions that were ignored and the cruel
rumors that the apparitions were a hoax foisted on the public by the nuns to raise money to build
a church, there are the heroic actions and blighted lives of the main protagonists that are intrinsic
to the apparitions.
Auxiliary Bishop Alfredo Obviar, the spiritual director of Carmel Lipa, was unceremoniously
removed and remained in limbo until he was demoted and re-appointed to the diocese of Lucena.
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Obviar founded the congregation of the Missionary Catechists of St. Therese and in
acknowledgment of his great virtue, he has been lifted up to the Causes of the Saints and has
officially passed the first step in the process toward sainthood.
His tomb and museum in Lucena is the site of many pilgrimages and a number of miracles have
been attributed to his intercession.
Verzosa, who allowed the apparitions to be publicized and for the Mediatrix to be venerated, was
stripped of all his administrative duties, remaining a bishop in name only.
Though he had used his family?s wealth to rebuild the churches and schools of war-torn Lipa, he
was falsely accused of mishandling the war reparations and finances of the diocese. He lived in
exile at his Vigan home, reduced to rolling tobacco leaves to augment the family income.
The prioress of Carmel, Mother Cecilia Zialcita, was transferred to another convent and treated
like a scullery maid. She is said to have prophesied that at her death, the events of the Lipa
apparitions would again be reopened and devotion to the Mediatrix restored.
Castillo has survived all the denunciations and humiliations to which she was subjected. The
stress from the investigation resulted in her long illness, requiring her to live at the University of
Santo Tomas hospital for long periods of time. She eventually had to voluntarily leave the
convent as she failed to complete the required length of stay for a novice.
Discreet silence
She worked at the Redemptorist Church in Baclaran and assisted Fr. Leo English with the
publication of the now widely used Tagalog/English dictionaries. The now grown baby girl she
adopted often accompanies her mother on healing missions.
She has since received a few other messages and experienced showers of petals in her home and
at the side chapel of Carmel Lipa, but has maintained a discreet silence about it.
Gaviola and Arguelles have allowed Castillo to speak publicly about the apparitions and there are
also a number of accounts detailing the healing of some people that she has prayed over.
However, now that the new commission has convened, she has thought it prudent to refrain from
speaking or being too publicly visible.
In her 80s, Castillo has been given the grace of living to see the malicious tongues silenced and a
resurgence of devotion to her ?beautiful lady.?

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Miracle of Rose Petals revisited

by Nestor Cuartero
January 19, 2014

Could it be that the miracle of the rose petals that reportedly took place in Lipa, Batangas in
1948 is still alive and in full scented bloom today? According to accounts from that period, the
Blessed Mother appeared several times to a young novitiate, Sister Teresita Castillo, who
witnessed the unexplainable manifestation of rose petals in her bedroom, and around the
convent.
In August 2013, we escorted the family of the wifes cousin, Lourdes Florencio-Templado, and
her husband, Corsini, a medical doctor, and their son, Chester, to the Carmelite convent of Our
Lady of Mediatrix in Antipolo del Norte, Lipa City to hear mass and to pay homage to Our Lady.
The occasion led to a chance encounter with Bishop Ramon C. Arguelles, who offered mass
that morning.

Weeks later, Lulu and her family flew back to Redding, northern California, where they reside on
top of a hill. One morning, Lulu found something unusual on top of her prayer book at her own
private chapel within the house. She was surprised to see a dry rose petal therein.
She thought it was impossible to find something as remote as a rose petal in her chapel when
there wasnt a single twig, much less a bouquet of roses in the area. Lulu dismissed the incident
but neatly filed the petal within the pages of her book.
A few days after, she saw another dry rose petal at the foot of the statue of the Blessed Mother in
the very same chapel. She has not found a suitable explanation for the little mystery in her
household except to believe that the Blessed Mother must be keeping an eye on her. Lulu, a
devout Catholic, is president of the Legion of Mary in her parish and an active church worker.
Lulus story serves as a good take-off point in the light of a renewed church investigation on the
so-called Miracle of the Shower of Rose Petals in Lipa in 1948. A book called Miracle of the
Rose Petals was published recently by the archdiocese of Lipa recounting the stories of people
who claim that they had been healed by Mary Mediatrix.
The book, edited by Aloma Monte de los Reyes, unveils first-person confessionals by men and
women who believe they had been touched by Lipas miracle of the roses. It was published by
the Commission on Research and Documentation (CORD) by the Archdiocese of Lipa-Batangas
and sent to me as a gift by my old high school friend, Dr. Robert Magsino.
In his introduction, Bishop Arguelles writes that the intent of the publication is to reach many
more simple faithful, who trust only in God and in the Blessed Virgin Mother. They need this

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spiritual assurance that the heavenly blessings are never wanting, he continues. For Arguelles,
Lipa is the place where a lot of these graces are experienced.
One of these is an account by Aleli Guzman-Quirino, a medical doctor, who confessed that her
daughter Militza was downed by a series of complications that started with a case of small pox in
1948. The situation so alarmed Aleli and her husband, Tony, who watched over her while in
confinement for many days at a Manila hospital as her condition threatened to deteriorate every
day.
One time, recalls Aleli in her article, a visiting friend gave them a rose petal picked up all the
way from the Carmelite convent in Lipa. Having strong faith in Mother Mary, the couple decided
to slip the rose petal into Militzas pillow. Then, Tony had a brighter idea. He skilfully inserted
the petal between two slices of graham crackers and offered it to his daughter as a sandwich.
After Militza had consumed the sandwich, she felt miraculously better and asked for her first
glass of drink in many days. That signalled her road to recovery after having gone through
convulsions, intimating death days before.
The book lists down a total of 58 testimonials written by varied sources who all claim they had
experienced either the shower of rose petals or healing caused by them.
Some of them, such as the confession by Col. Felix V. Duenas, are actually letters sent to
Arguelles by concerned citizens, who believe they had been healed after visits to Our Lady. Col.
Duenas wrote that he was able to lift his injured arm after praying to Mary, and that signalled his
road to recovery.
The confession stories are titled thus: A Widows Thanks, No More operations, I live Only
Because Of Prayers, Sweet Fragrance, I Was Saved, I Was Helped, A Mans Faith, A Muslim
from Jolo, Sulu, Ang Milagro sa Aking Buhay.
The public sharers have a common goal in mind in sharing their stories. They want the Catholic
Church to reverse an earlier church ruling declaring the shower of roses a hoax and at last
recognize the truth behind the Lipa miracle.
(nescuar@yahoo.com)

Blessed Virgins apparitions in Lipa: 66 years hence, still waiting for the nod
November 27, 2014 By JHOANA PAULA TUAZON

This story begins The Filipino Connections coverage of the 2015 apostolic and state visit of
Pope Francis to the Philippines.
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As devotees of Our Lady of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace are still awaiting a verdict from the
Philippine bishops if the Blessed Mothers apparition holds true, the waiting is now 66 years and
counting.
It is some 66 years ago that the Blessed Mother, at a monastery owned by the Carmelite nuns in
Lipa City, Batangas, reportedly appeared to a nun named Teresita Castillo and then showered
rose petals to the said area.
While the reported apparitions started August 1948, it was during November that same year
when the significant events of this controversial apparition by the Blessed Mother occurred.
It was on November when Mary Mediatrix appeared in the cloistered halls of the Carmelite
Monastery and introduced herself to Castillo. The Blessed Mother reportedly asked for the whole
countrys renewal of faith.
It was also in November when Castillo was reported to have had supernatural experiences
including the re-enactment of the Lords passion.
On November 12, 2009, speculations on the veracity of the Marian apparition already ended with
an important declaration from Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles.
Arguelles, who took over Lipa Archdiocese in 2004, issued a decree stated that all bans, written
or unwritten, to curtail or diminish the devotion to Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace be lifted. This
decree by Arguelles lifted the ban on the peoples devotion to Mary Mediatrix that was issued on
April 1951 by a group of bishops who regarded the apparitions as a hoax.
Aside from the decree, Archbishop Argulles also formed a commission to re-open the
investigation of the alleged apparitions of Mary Mediatrix in the Carmelite Monastery in 1948.
This commission had already forwarded its findings to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP), and review remains ongoing weeks before the Philippines gets visited by
Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio).
It was said that then Imus Diocese Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle, now head of the Archdiocese of
Manila, is leading a team reviewing the pieces of evidence of the said apparitions.
Series of appearances
It was in 1948 when the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared several times to Castillo, then a new
novice in the Carmelite Monastery.

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The Blessed Virgin Marys appearances in the monastery started on August 18 when she asked
Castillo to wash and kiss the feet of their Mother Prioress and drink the water used after. Despite
doubts, the Mother Prioress agreed upon seeing blood of tears shedding on the eyes of Castillo.
The apparitions of Mary Mediatrix continued the following month in the gardens of the
monastery for 15 days. Some of the reported scenes then include the shaking of the vine and
series of requests by the Lady; the exposition of her statue in the garden; the blessing of the
Carmelite monastery; and a prayer for the nuns.
But the presence of Mary Mediatrix was visibly felt through the petals being showered in the
monastery, which were later discovered can cure diseases.
After the first showering of petals in the monastery, Castillo became totally blind. She regained
her sight after the kiss of their mother prioress which was witnessed by the late Lipa Auxiliary
Bishop Alfredo Obviar, the spiritual director of Carmelites.
Servant of God Obviar is now being lobbied for sainthood.
On a day in November 1948, Castillio had her last encounter with Mary Mediatrix when the
Lady asked that people worldwide pray the Holy Rosary. The Blessed Virgin also warned
Castillo that persecutions may happen in various parts of the world.
It was reportedly hard for the community of Lipa and the Roman Catholic Church to believe
these so-called appearances, given that the Carmelite Monastery is the home of cloistered nuns.
But Lipa residents wanted to see the Blessed Mother given the reported showering of petals.
On Nov. 19, 1948, people began to flock in increasing numbers to the convent grounds. That
time, Lipa Bishop Alfredo Versoza wasnt pleased with the turn of events and ordered the
Carmelite nuns to withdraw the statue of Mary Mediatrix from the publics veneration. That
same day, Versoza was said to be determined in chastising Obviar (given the latters belief in the
apparitions) and to put an end to the flocking of people.
But when Versoza entered the door of the monastery, it was reported that a shower of petals fell
on himthen Versoza got dumbfounded, knelt down and prayed. Afterwards, he ordered to return
of the image of Mary Mediatrix for public veneration at a Mass held on that day.
Nevertheless, the alleged appearances of the Blessed Virgin Mary did not gain the support of the
Philippine Catholic Church. A group of bishops, on April 11, 1951, issued a verdict saying that
evidence and testimonies exclude any supernatural intervention in the reported extraordinary
happenings including the showers of petals at the (Carmelite Monastery) of Lipa.

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An order destroying pieces of evidence, including the statue of Our Lady of Mary Mediatrix, was
also issued. However, the Carmelite Nuns exerted
as much efforts to keep the statue.
Decades after, and given his November 2009 decree, Arguelles stands firm in believing the
authenticity of the 1948 events. I believe that the Mediatrix phenomenon is the most significant
event in the local Church of Lipa in the last 100 years, he said after lifting the ban on Mary
Mediatrix in 2009.
Every September for the past 11 years, the Carmelite monastery hosts an annual National Days
of Prayer and Pilgrimage to Lipa. This year, the event carried the theme Mary in the Laity
Proclaiming the Gospel of Life.

Historic First Church-Approved Apparition of the Virgin Mary in

the Philippines within Reach
Published on February 20, 2010 by Arthur Policarpio in Marian Private Revelation
Is the Philippines, Asias largest Catholic country, on the verge of a historic first Churchapproved apparition of the Virgin Mary?
The possible first Church-approved Marian apparition in the Philippines refers to the alleged
apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Teresita Castillo, a Carmelite postulant, way back in 1948 in
the Carmelite convent grounds in Lipa, Batangas, Philippines. Miraculous showers of rose petals
were reported in the convent grounds, with thousands of witnesses claiming to have seen rose
petals materialize out of thin air. In the apparitions, the Virgin Mary revealed to Teresita Castillo
that she was the Mediatrix of All Grace.

The Virgin Mary has traditionally been referred to by numerous saints and popes as the
Mediatrix of All Grace, referring to her role as mediator between God and man, and dispenser
of Gods graces. The title is of particular importance in current times, as there is currently a
major international movement to petition the pope to officially declare a fifth Marian Dogma
that of Mary as Co-redemptrix, Mediatrix and Advocate.
The reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Lipa triggered a nationwide euphoria, with
thousands of Filipinos flocking to the convent grounds to try to catch one of the miraculous

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petals. Many stories of cures and miracles were reportedly attributed to the petals and the
apparitions.
The euphoria, however, was short-lived. In April 11, 1951, a Church verdict came out stating that
there was no supernatural intervention in the extraordinary events at Lipa, Carmel. Consequently,
the distribution of rose petals was stopped and the statue of Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace was
kept from public veneration.
The devotion to Mary Mediatrix however did not fade with the years, despite the negative
pronouncement of the Church. In 1991, after long years of silent agony and suppressed fervor,
then Lipa Archbishop Mariano Gaviola allowed the image to be taken out and exposed to the
public in the Carmelite chapel. Since then, pilgrims have thronged to Lipa and September 12, the
date of the first apparition, became a National Day of Prayer, Reparation and Consecration.
The appointment of Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, D.D., a well-known Marian advocate and
devotee, as bishop of Lipa was a major development in the unfolding story of the Lipa
apparitions. Before an International Mariological Congress in Lourdes, France on September
2008, Archbishop Arguelles stated bluntly: Yes, Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace, did appear in
Lipa. His official role as Archbishop of Lipa, however, obviously necessitates an objective and
thorough investigation and evaluation of the authenticity of the apparitions, separate from his
own personal beliefs and devotion on the matter.
Last November 12, 2009, Archbishop Arguelles made his first, major official act concerning the
alleged Lipa apparitions by issuing an official decree. In this decree concerning the Lipa
apparitions of the Virgin Mary, the Archbishop reinforced former Lipa Archbishop Mariano
Gaviolas 1991 ruling that lifted the ban on the public veneration of the Lipa image in the
Carmelite chapel. In the decree, the Archbishop ordered that all bans written or unwritten to
curtain or diminish the devotion to Mary Mediatrix of All Grace be lifted.
Equally important, he formed a theological commission to conduct a thorough study and review
of all documents on the alleged apparitions. The formation of the theological commission is an
important step, inasmuch as a possible ruling of the Archbishop on the apparitions will rely on
the results of the research conducted by the commission. Catholic Church rules give the local
bishop (in whose diocese the alleged apparitions take place) the sole authority to declare the
authenticity of the apparitions in question.
In an interview that first appeared in Totus Tuus, Maria, a Catholic website on the Virgin Mary,
the Archbishop said:
I believe the Mediatrix phenomenon is the greatest thing that ever happened to the Church of
Lipa in the last one hundred years and even from time immemorial. The lifting of the ban is
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intended to dispel any doubts that in 1991 Archbishop Mariano Gaviola already did so. The late
Archbishop and I are deeply concerned about the faithfuls great devotion to our Holy Mother. It
must be encouraged and promoted, especially since it is Lipas great privilege to be known as the
place where the Mediatrix of All Grace, the possible fifth Marian dogma, has most prominently
been declared by sensus fidelium
In the same interview, asked why he felt the need to issue a new decree, the Archbishop
responded:
The faithful have the right to know whether the Lipa phenomenon was authentic or not. The
attachment to Mary must be promoted in these times of trial for our country and the world.
The reality, however, is that the Lipa apparitions still suffers the stigma of the 1951 negative
Church verdict. Is it possible for the Catholic Church to change its mind with regard to the
Lipa apparitions, and essentially reverse a previous negative ruling? The Archbishop thinks this
is possible:
The Church reconsidered the Galileo pronouncements. The Lipa case is so insignificant
compared to that of Galileo The Lipa revocation will immensely benefit the multitude of
true believers worldwide.
Many Filipino Catholics spend a fortune to visit Our Ladys famous pilgrimage and apparition
sites all over the world, such as Fatima and Lourdes. Will the time finally come when Filipinos
no longer need to travel halfway across the world to visit a revered pilgrimage site where Our
Lady has appeared? While the theological commission researches and studies the apparitions in
the coming months, Filipino Catholics can only wait and pray that Lipa will soon join the ranks
of Fatima and Lourdes Church-approved apparition sites that have become major pilgrimage
sites visited by millions of Catholics every year.

LIPA, The Phillipines 1948

Teresita Castillo of Lipa City, the Phillipines, was a very devout young woman who came from a
deeply religious family. She felt a strong, clear calling from God to become a Carmelite nun, but
her family, though very devout, were not pleased with this. On her 21st birthday, July 4, 1948,
Teresita fled her home in the early morning hours before her parents woke up, and entered the
convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Her family was very upset over this, and
tried everything they could to get Teresita back; however, Teresita was an adult now, and her
vocation to become a nun was confirmed by her confessor, and there was nothing her parents
could do about it: she had to follow her calling, the same way her parents had to follow theirs
when they had decided to get married.
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Satan, however, sided with her parents. Trying to get her to abandon her vocation, he made
several appearances to her over the next few weeks, filling her cell with a wretched odor, and
antagonizing her in a guttural male voice. Undisturbed by these intrusions, Teresita's resolve to
become a bride of Christ was immeasurably strengthened. The Devil finally gave up and left her
alone.
What was so special about this woman that the king of darkness tried so hard to make her
vocation fail? The superiors of the convent would find out a few months later.
On September 12, 1948, while Teresita was praying in the convent garden, a vine began to shake,
catching her attention. As there was no wind, she wondered momentarily what was causing it to
shake, when a radiant Lady of indescribable beauty appeared. She wore a pure white veil
covering Her long, dark-brown hair, which fell to her waist, and a pure white gown with a
narrow cloth cincture. From Her right arm hung a gold Rosary. Her bare feet stood upon a white
cloud that hovered about two feet off of the ground.
Although her first thought was that the Lady was the Blessed Virgin Mary, Teresita couldn't be
sure since of her previous harassments from the Devil, she new Satan could easily disguise
himself in a heavenly form.
"Fear not, my child." And to prove She wasn't the proud, infernal serpent, She instructed
Teresita to make an act of humility: "Kiss the ground." The novice did so, and Our Lady
continued. "Whatever I tell you to do, you must do. For fifteen consecutive days, come visit Me
here at this spot." And for another act of humility, the Virgin instructed Teresita to eat a bit of
grass, as She had asked St. Bernadette Soubirous to do at LOURDES, France, to the
astonishment of the witnesses. Satan is incapable of humility, and since all sin has pride as its
basis, in trying to induce someone to sin (particularly a woman who is about to become a bride
of Christ), he would never instruct them to do such humiliating acts as an obeissance to Almighty
God.
Teresita returned to the spot in the garden the next day, Monday, September 13, at five o'clock,
which was the time of the previous day's apparition. She knelt down to say a Hail Mary, but she
had barely finished: "Hail Mary, full of Grace..." when Our Lady returned as promised.
The next day, September 14, accompanied by some of the nuns of the convent, Our Lady
appeared again, and for the first time, a shower of rose petals fell upon the garden. Unlike the
shower of petals at FATIMA that disappeared before reaching the ground, these petals remained.
This miracle, however, wasn't confined to the site of the apparition. Inside the convent, the other
sisters were astonished to find rose petals strewn about their cells or outside their doorways, and
the convent filled with an intense fragrance from the flowers.

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In the course of these apparitions, Our Lady instructed Teresita to have the vine blessed, and to
have a statue placed at this spot. She urged humility, penance, and much prayer, particularly
for the clergy and the Pope. The Blessed Virgin gave a secret for Teresita herself, one for the
Prioress regarding the convent of Lipa, one for China, and one for the entire world. Our Lady
also asked that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass be offered on the 12th of every month at the place
of Her apparition. At Her last appearance, Our Lady referred to Herself under the familiar title of
"the Mediatrix of All Grace."
The Mother Prioress, although amazed by all these events, nonetheless was not going to take
matters into her own hands. Consulting with auxiliary Bishop Alfredo Obviar, the Prioress was
told to instruct Teresita at the next apparition that he wanted a sign from the Blessed Virgin to
assure him these visitations were Divine and not diabolic. Teresita did this, but Our Lady did not
give her an answer, merely smiling beautifully at the request.
Several days later, Teresita was inexplicably stricken with total blindness. When medical
treatment failed to explain the origin of the blindness, and failed to correct it, the Mother Prioress
heard a voice telling her to kiss Teresita's eyes. Soon after, with Bishop Obviar present, the
Prioress did so, and Teresita instantly regained her eyesight. The Bishop no longer doubted that
the apparitions were of Divine origin.
Although the Blessed Virgin no longer appeared to her, Teresita continued to receive private
visitations of an angel, who gave her Holy Communion one day when she was too ill to attend
Mass, (see GARABANDAL) as well as Saints Cecilia, Saint Therese of Lisieux, and others. At
times she would also lose consciousness, upon which, though not having received any
STIGMATA, she would enact the Passion of Christ, the latter in front of the very eyes of Bishop
Obviar, the Mother Prioress, and many of the nuns in the convent.
The attention all this received outside the convent walls was unacceptable to higher officials of
the Catholic Church. Bishop Obviar and the Mother Prioress were demoted from their positions,
Teresita's diary and all documents relating to the apparitions were burned, and the entire
Carmelite community was forbidden to discuss the events, even amongst themselves. The statue
of Our Lady was removed from the garden, and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass She had
requested on the 12th of every month was forbidden to be performed.
A phenomenon regarding the showers of rose petals (aside from them appearing out of nowhere
and falling to the ground) was that they bore images on them of Christ, Mary, the Saints, or holy
events, such as the Crucifixion. To add to the confusion, unscrupulous peddlers began selling
sham rose petals that they had pressed over images on religious medals, claiming them to be
from the Lipa apparitions. Teresita was soon obliged to leave the convent in the 1950's. Bishop
Alfred Verzosa of Lipa issued a decree stating that there was nothing supernatural involved in the
events reported at the convent.
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After decades of intermission, the events of Lipa began to manifest again when in February,
1990, a luminous white female figure in prayer regularly appeared on the branch of a coconut
tree during evening hours. Ony May 21, 1990, one of the Carmelite nuns, on her deathbed,
pleaded for Church authorities to restore the statue of Our Lady of Lipa to the convent garden.
Her request was granted the next day, the first time in the 40 years that the statue had been
banned from being displayed. holy images fell on the convent.
On January 24, 1991, a new miraculous shower of rose petals bearing holy images fell on
the Carmelite convent. Just a few days later, six children playing in the garden of the convent
saw the statue of Our Lady "come to life."
These recent events forced the Lipa apparitions of 1948 back into the ecclesiastical spotlight, and
Archbishop Ramon Arguelles has now formed a new commission to be established to investigate
the whole phenomenon afresh. In the November 12, 2009 decree ordering the establishment of
this new commission, Archbishop Arguelles also lifted the bans imposed by his predecessors
regarding the apparitions.
We now await the official findings and ruling of the Archbishop of Lipa from this new
investigation into the apparitions of Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Grace there.

Lipa bishop lifts ban on Our Lady

By Marrah Erika LesabaPhilippine Daily Inquirer 18 November 2009
BATANGAS CITY Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles confirmed that he had
lifted the 1951 ban on the public veneration of Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Grace.
In a phone interview Tuesday night, Arguelles said he lifted the ban on Nov. 12 as
there was nothing wrong in praising apparitions as he was well-aware of the
love of the people for the Blessed Mother.
The Blessed Mother has [protected] the country from calamities, he said.
In 1948, the Virgin Mary allegedly appeared 19 times to Teresita Castillo, a novice
in the Carmelite Order in Lipa City. Rose petals with holy images reportedly fell
from the sky. In her last apparition to Castillo, the Blessed Virgin identified
herself: I am the Mediatrix of All Grace.
Although the veneration of Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Grace was permitted by then
Bishop Alfred Verzosa, the Philippine church hierarchy declared in 1951 that
there was no supernatural intervention in the reported extraordinary happenings
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including the shower of rose petals in Lipa, according to the website

www.marymediatrixofallgrace.com.
Withdrawn from the public

The website www.miraclehunter.com chronicles the events following the church

decision: Bishop [Verzosa] and Mother Prioress were released of their jobs. The
nuns were ordered to destroy all materials connected with the apparitions. They
burned [Castillos] diary, as well as the Mother Prioress. The statue [of the Virgin
Mary] was also ordered destroyed, but the nuns saved it from destruction. The
convent was sealed, and the nuns could talk to no one outside of the convent.
Bishop Rufino Santos, who became apostolic administrator after Verzosa,
ordered that no petals be given to anyone by the Lipa Carmelite community and
the statue of Our Lady of Mediatrix be withdrawn from public view, the website
said.
Despite the passing of the years and the suppression, the Carmelite nuns of Lipa
as well as the Marian devotees who believe in the apparitions, remained hopeful
that one day, the case would be reopened and the apparitions declared authentic.
Many continued to believe and would go to the Carmelite monastery in Lipa to
pray especially in the 50s.
Image displayed again
In 1992, Archbishop Mariano Gaviola granted permission to once again display
the image of Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Grace. In 1993, he declared his personal
conviction that the Lipa apparitions were worthy of belief, according to
www.miraclehunter.com.
As the years went by, the ban seemed to have been disregarded as new proofs of
the apparitions authenticity were presented and accounts about the bishops
high-handed suppressiveness in 1948 were brought to light.
A repeat of the shower of rose petals is said to have occurred some years ago but
the Carmelite nuns kept a low profile. Some people have petals in their
possession.
In 2005, Arguelles resurrected the veneration for Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Grace
with increased activity and devotion and plans to place statues representing
the Virgin of Lipa, in every diocese, according to www.miraclehunter.com.
Official lifting of ban
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When Arguelles declared the official lifting of the 1951 ban on Nov. 12, it was the
61st anniversary of the last of the series of apparitions to Castillo which occurred
from September to November in 1948.
Arguelles stressed: My order on Nov. 12 was merely a relifting of Gaviolas
order.
He also said that last month, he went to Rome to ask permission to search the
archives for documents pertaining to the controversial apparitions but no such
documents were found.
The Lipa Archbishop said that at 3 p.m. every 12th day of the month, the rosary is
prayed by devotees from different towns in Batangas and from all over the
country.
Novena
The devotion to Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Grace is acknowledged in all parishes
in Laguna, said Fr. Romi Ponte, parish priest of San Gabriel in San Pablo City.
In our parish, we have a huge picture of the Vigin Mary to whom devotees offer
prayers and novenas, he told the Inquirer in a phone interview Tuesday night.
The veneration of Our Lady has been promoted all over the country for more than
a year now with a literature on the novena sold in Catholic bookstores, Ponte
said.
Every year, some 1,000 copies of the novena are sold at the Daughters of St. Paul
bookstore in SM Mall of Asia, the Inquirer learned.
The Catholic bookstore is in the process of replenishing its copies," Ponte said.

Teresita Castillo, Lipa, Philippines, 1948 (Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Grace )

Status: Currently Being Investigated

Episcopal Remarks: An Imprimatur was awarded to an official account of the

visions by Bishop Alfredo Verzosa December 8, 1948. A Theological Commission of
April 1951 produced a negative report of Constat de Non Supernaturalitate and this
was signed by 6 Bishops. Later however some of them would later say that they
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were coerced into signing under threat of excommunication. One bishop even
announced on his deathbed that he was forced to sign the verdict against his free
will. Neither Bishop Obviar nor Bishop Verzosa were consulted by the investigators
and the commission was ostensibly judged deficient. The case was re-opened in
1991 and is currently being re-investigated since 1993 by order of Archbishop
Gaviola for a speedy report. 1

Corroboration by Other Seers: N/A

Biographical Information: Teresita Castillo was born into a prominent family, her
father having been governor of the Province of Batangas. Influencfes by convent
school values, Teresing (as she is affectionately called), nurtured a secret desire to
join the Carmelites. On her 21 st Birthday, July 4, 1948 Teresita fled her home and
entered Carmel, the Covent of Discalced Carmelites, in Lipa. Of course, when her
family learned of her action they attempted to dissuade her by promises and
threats. But all to no avail. She was determined to become a Carmelite novice.
Within one month of her arival at the convent, on the night of July 31 st, 1948 Satan
visited Teresita in her cell and attempted to convince her to leave the convent. She
rejected Satan, but he did not give up rather Satan appeared to her three more
times, again trying to force her to leave the convent through fear and threats. A foul
odour accompanied Satan. In contrast when Our Lady first appeared to Teresing in
August, She was surrounded by an overpowering and pleasant fragrance. Our Lady
appeared to the seer three times during August, then for fifteen consecutive days in
September at the vine in the convent garden, with one final appearance on
November 12, 1948. The seer was amazed at this rapid succession of supernatural
occurences. It is reported that Teresita asked Why is it like this? It life in Carmel
really like like this?

The Messages started on September 12 th while Teresita was praying in the garden
when suddenly a vine began to shake. Then Out Lady appeared to the seer and
requested that she kiss the earth and return to this same spot fort fiteen
consecutive days. The seer complied and messages were given to Teresita. Our
Lady requested the vine be blessed which had also been done. Later She also
requested a statue (Image) be placed at the site of the apparition. This was also
accomplished. The Messages stressed humility, penane, prayers, especially prayer
for priests and nuns and to pray the rosary. Teresita was given secrets. The seer
reports that there was one secret for herself, one for the community at Lipa Carmel,
one for the world and one for China, none for Russia. Our Lady appeared sad during
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some of the apparitions because two nuns refused to believe. One nun had a
miraculous healing some forty years later which she attributed to Our Lady then
she believedThere are accounts of a blue bird appearing at the vine before each
apparition, accounts of the spinning sun, heavy fragrance of roses, and, of course,
the showers of rose petals. Incredibly, whole roses were manifested out of thin
air.) Some people reported seeing the statue of Our Lady come to life. Warnings of
persecutions, unrest, and bloodshed for your country were given by Our Blessed
Mother during Her last apparition at the vine. She also said: The Church will
suffer much Just before she departed Our Lady said What I ask here is the same I
asked at Fatima. I bless this community is very special blessing. All these can be
revealed now

Many cures have been reported using the rose petals, including some remarkable
instantaneous cures. There are reports of the blind being cured as well as other
amazing cures. In one instance, a baby (Soccorro Mendoza Dichoso), born in
December, 1948 with a hole in her skull experienced an amazing cure. The parents
reportedly applied rose petals from the shower to the babys skull on January
28, 1949. The child was cured, the hole in the skull closed and the brain receded.
This was confirmed by X-rays. Another reported healing occurred on December 24,
1950 when the Last Sacraments were administered to a girl dying of cerebral
hemorrhage. Fr Casey applied a Lipa rose petal to the girls forehead, when
instantly, upon the rining of the Angelus bell, the girl suddenly woke up as if nothing
was wrong. She was cured. One cure that is outstanding occurred to a child named
Menania Maria Sungo who was born in 1940 with a severely deformed right foot.
The sole of the foot was curled up, she could not wear a shoe on it and the leg had
atrophied, shortened, and wasted away. In 1949 when the child was nine years old,
her uncle brought to her family a bottle of water which had been placed overnight
beside the statue of Our Lady (Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace). The childs mother
rebbued this water on the childs foot every evening for one week and offered many
prayers. Then one morning, the child awoke to discover that her foot was normal;
totally cured. This caused a sensation amongst friends and neighbours. Neighbours
remarked they experienced a strong fragrance of flowers around the childs home.
Meanwhile, the family of the Sungo household was shocked when a shower of rose
ptals fell inside their own home. The statues of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace has
been on several pilgrimages, traveling to Spain, to the United Stqtes and to other
places. Smaller replicas of the statue have been distributed.

It is also reported that Teresita received the Host for Holy Communion on her tongue
from an angel on an occasion when she was unable to attend Mass because she was
sick in bed. Teresita had other mystical experices including visions of the Sacred
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Heart, of a multitude of angels and saints, of St Cecelia and Saint Terese of Lisieux.
The seer was also seen to go into a state of unconsciousness, and then, whole lying
on the floor, enact the agony of Christ on the Cross. This phenomenon was
witnessed by the prioress, by Bishop Obviar, and by members of the Carmel
Community at Lipa. As one nun put it: The seven words would be reenacted and we
really did see it!

On January 23, 1949 the cornerstone was laid for the church known as the Chapel of
Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace, officiated by Bishop Obviar. Some twenty to fifty
thousand people were present. The Church has been completed and was funded
entirely by public donations. The Bishop of Lipa, Alfredo Verzosa, ordered the
Carmelite sisters to withdraw the statue of Our Lady from public veneration because
of all the commotion. He personally went to the convent on November 19, 1948
determined to do so himself. When he opened the door and enetered the convent a
shower of rose petals fell on him. He fell to his knees and could not utter a word.
Therafter, Bishop Verzosa supported these apparitions and applied his Imprimature
to an official account of the apparitions at the vine.

Soon events were commercialized by some, and fake rose petals were being sold.
The Carmel at Lipa suffered a series of attacks. On January 23, 1950 Bishop Verzosa
was suddenly transferred from Lipa and virtually all power of the Lipa Diocese was
placed into the hands of an Apostolic Administrator. Shortly thereafter, on February
27, 1950 Mother ceceilia was suddenly replaced. Bishop Obviar was also relieved of
his duties. It was reported that many people distrusted the showers of rose petals
and accused the nuns of somehow orchestrating these showers The seer was
interviewed and interrogated by a psychologist, Fr Vlas, who reportedly attempted
to have her renounce. She refused to do so. Then Dr Pardo, a psychiatrist,
reportedly intimidated the seer seeking to have her admit insanity in her family.
There are also reports that they submitted false documents for Teresita to sign and
again she refused. However, the written report of Fr Blas states that Fr Blas
believes she is perfectly normal and not suffering from hallucinations

In April 1951 the official investigation by the Church produced a negative report and
was signed by six bishops; some of whom would later say that they were coerced
into signing under threat of excommunication. The investigation appears to have
been lacking. Neither Bishop Obviar nor Bishop Verzosa were questioned by the
investigators. Of some interest is that the bishops who signed the verdict that there
was no supernatural intervention at Lipa Carmel, nevertheless kept the rose petals
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from Lipa given to them. One or more bishops announced on his deathbed that he
was forced to sign the verdict against his own free will. After the Churchs decision
was released the nuns were ordered to destroy all materials connected with the
apparitions. They burned Teresitas diary as well as Mother Cecilias diary. The
statue of the Mediatrix was also ordered destroyed; however the nuns managed
ways and means to save it from destruction. Our Lady had warned of persecutions.
All those centrally connected with thgese apparitions were made to suffer. Stringent
sanctions were imposed on the Community of Lipa. The doors of Lipa were closed,
not only to applicants to the religious life, but also to hired help and to all outside
assistance. The nuns were not allowed to see members of their own families. For a
long time, Sr. Elizabeth single-handedly supported the community by begging. She
was the only nun permitted to go outside the community and to attend to the
communitys needs.

In February 1990 a strange new phenomenon was reported in the Granja District of
Lipa, a few blocks from the Carmel. A white luminous outline of a female in prayer
began to appear in the evenings on one of the leaves of a tall coconut tree. The
silhouette was visible for ninety consecutive evenings. Then on May 21, 1990 the
day after the silhoutte ceased, Sr Alphonse pleaded on her deathbed that the statue
of the Mediatrix be again exposed in the Chapel of Carmel. The following day,
Archbishop Gaviola instructed the statue be again displayed, the first time in forty
years! Shortly thereafter the rose petals reportedly began to fall again at Lipa
Carmel. Teresita and two other people were inside the Church in front of the statue
of Mediatrix when rose petals suddenly began to fall. The rose petals were pure
white at this time. Soon other happenings were reported. A few days later, six
children playing in the garden at Carmel saw the statue come to life. They reported
I saw her eyes tear and Her feet come closer together; I held her hand and it was
soft; I saw her dresss blow in the breeze; I held her dress and it was soft; When I
kissed her feet I felt them move. Petal showers have occurred with some regularity
inside Teresitas home and other places, too. Several witnesses, including a priest,
were present when full roses materialized out of thin air and landed on the stairs,
altar and bedroom of the seers own home. 2

There have been reports of a spinning sun, of strange light on the top of the vine, of
plants in the garden turning to face the apparition site, of the strong fragrance of
roses. The statue of the Mediatrix of all Grace was the centre of attraction during
one period, when the following was reported by witnesses (a) the statue moved
inside its glass case (b) the eyes of the statue raised and were gazing into the
distance. (c) the rosary on the statue moved as if the statue was praying the rosary
(d) Little children saw the dress of Our Lady move, they touched Her dress and Her
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feet which were soft, and when they kissed her feet the toes wiggled. When the
nuns at Carmel burned the petals and other material as ordered, a blue flame arose
four feet above the pyre and lingered until all was consumed 3

The rose petals were the trigger for physical healings as well as conversions. A
report of November 1948 states that a rose petal fell in front of a man in the cros.
He picked it up and an instant conversion occurred. He had been a member of
the Masonic Lodge. Amazing physical healings occurred when rose petals were
applied to ailing victims. In some instances water which had the rose petals dipped
into it was the catalyst for cure. 4

Teresita now reports that she has begun to receive messages from Mary again. On
July 16, 1991 Archbishop Gaviola decalred the statue of Mediatrix would be exposed
to the public at Lipa Carmel, during his entire term as archbishop. A secret new
commission has been set up by the archbishop and he asks for speedy investigation
and report. Teresita left Carmel never to return to the order. At present she works
assisting in the production of the English-Tagalog dictionary. Very begative media
articles together with sham dealers in Rose Petals helped turn public opinion
against these apparitions. This together with the Chuchs negative report,
submerged these apparitions for some forty years. Recent efforts of television
investigative reporter, June Keithley helped bring some of the true overlooked or
suppressed facts to the attention of the people and the Church. As a consequence
the Church has now set up a new committee to investigate the apparitions. 5

Total Number of Apparitions 19 (1948): August 18, 19 (twice in seers cell);

September 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, November 12.

References
1. Peter Heintz A Guide to Apparitions of Our Blessed Virgin Mary (Gabriel Press,
Sacramento, California 1995) p. 156
2. ibid p. 152-157
3. ibid p161

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4. ibid p164
5. ibid p157

The Messages

(Taken from Peter Heintz A Guide to Apparitions of Our Blessed Virgin Mary (Gabriel
Press, Sacramento, California 1995) p. 157

The devil, July 31, 1948: Satan made three loud knocks on her cell door, then a
foul odour, then a harsh voice which frightened her. When the seer showed her
rosary to him, he departed leaving a soot covered hoof print on the floor

Virgin Mary, August 18, 1948: Wash the feet of the prioress Mother Cecilia and
drink some of the water This was reported to the prioress who was dubious

Virgin Mary, August 19, 1948: Initial request was repeated and complied with.
Mother Cecelia received a locution from Our Lady telling her that the seer would
carry a sign of confirmation. The sign occurred when mother Cecilia next saw the
seer with circles of blood around her eyes. The feet washing event occurred that
very day. Later that evening Our Lady appeared disguised as a nun and said Your
Mother made a wise decision in obeying Me. Now that you have given Me proof of
your humility, and your Mother of her simplicity, I can now proceed. Both of you will
always remain under My mantle

Virgin Mary, August 20, 1948: The seer saw showers of rose petals fall for the
first time. This phenomena was repeated many times both inside the convent and
outside in the garden. Many clergy, religious and pilgrims witnessed these rose
petal showers. The rose petals contained miraculous images of Jesus and the
Blessed Mother and other holy scenes, and were collected and cherished and saved
by many, even to this day.

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The devil, August 22, 1948: The evil one physically attacked the seer. Mother
Cecilia became physically involved in this incident.The seer awoke and felt unseen
hands trying to strip her of her clothing. She struggled, broke free and fled to the
stairway leading to the cell of the prioress. The prioress heard the commotion and
came and helped free the seer.When it was over the seer became blind. Teresita
regained her eyesight on September 7th. Mother Cecilia had a prophetic locution
predicting that the seer would regain her eye sight. The seer suffered many times
during the period of these apparitions, and it is reported that Mother Cecilia
received locutions and prophetic messages of these sufferings before they occurred.

Virgin Mary September 14, 1948: Our Lady requested the place of the
apparitions be blessed in the presence of the community. This was likewise
accomplished.

Virgin Mary, September 15, 16, 1948: Our Lady requested Her image be struck
and placed at the site of the apparition and that it become a shrine for prayer. The
statue was enshrined.

Angels, September 16, 1948: The seer saw Our Lady arrive accompanied by little
angels. The angels dissapeared one by one. At other times the angels are reported
to have visited Teresita in her cell

Virgin Mary, September 21, 1948: Pray, pray, pray for a soul, My daughterI
ask you to honour Me on Saturdays especially in these devotions: (i) Our Lady of
Mount Carmel (ii) Our Lady of Snow (iii) Our Lady of the Holy Roary (iv) Our Lady of
Perpetual help (v) Immaculate Heart of Mary (vi) Our Lady of the Abndonment and
Refuge of Sinners (vii) Our Lady of Lourdes (viii) Our Lady of Peace and Good
Voyage (ix) Our Lady of Good Counsel (x) Holy Name of Mary (xi) Our Lady of Loreto
(xii) Our Lady of Remedy (xiii) The Seven Dolors

Virgin Mary, September 22, 1948: To My daughter who does not believe Me, I
do not oblige you to believe. It is enough that you do not believe. But do not block
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nor debase My secret place, nor despise My words. I do not oblige you to listen, nor
to obey them if you do not wish to, for you have free will. Neither should you honour
Me on Saturdays if you are not inclined to.

Virgin Mary, September 25, 1948: I wish you all to consecrate yourselves to Me
on October 7th and be My slaves

Virgin Mary September 26, 1948 (final apparition): Pray for the conversion of
sinners throughout the world. Pray for those who have rejected me and for those
who do not believe my message in the different parts of the world Spread the
meaning of the Rosary because this will be the instrument for peace throughout the
world. Tell the people that the rosary must be said with devotion. The love of my
Son will soften the hardest of hearts. My motherly love will be their strengthBe
humble and simple because humility and simplicity are the two virtues I love most
Our Lady requested that a Mass be held on the 12 th day of every month and asked
that the community consecrate themselves to Her. Before departing she identified
herself as I am Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace

Suffering the Passion, November 5, 1948: Sr teresita suffered the passion of

Jesus. This began exactly at 12 noon.

Virgin Mary, November 12, 1948: People do not believe My words, pray My
child, pray much because there will be persecutions. Pray for priests. Pray for the
conversions of sinners throughout the world. What I ask here is exactly what I asked
at Fatima.Pray. The people do not heed my words. There will be persecutions,
unrest, and bloodshed in your country. The enemy of the church will try to destroy
the faith which Jesus has established and died for. The Church will suffer much.Do
penance for those who do not believeDo penance for priests and nuns, be not
afraid, for the love of My Son will soften the hardness of hearts, and My Motherly
love will be their strength to curse the enemies of God.Propagate devotion to My
Immaculate Heart

The Saints, undated, 1948: St Therese of Liseux, also called Little Flower,
accompanied Our Blessed Mother during some of the appairtions. (Recall St.
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Therses words: From the heavens I will left fall a shower of roses); St Cecilia, it is
reported Teresita had visions of St Cecilia and other saints and angels as well as
visions of the sacred Heart

Angels, undated, 1948: Teresita was ill and unable to attend Mass. The angel
brought her communion.

The devil, undated 1948: Satan appeared with fire around his head and around
his body. Teresita resisted him.

The devil, undated 1948: Satan awoke the seer from her sleep by violently
rocking her bed

Miraculous Rose Petals, January 24, 1991: Rose petals were reported to have
fallen again at Lipa Carmel.

Declaration of Decree on the public devotion to Mary the

Mediatrix of All 0Grace
November 2, 2009
Mother Bernadette of the Mother of God died with this words...
"I never forget my bargain to our Lady that I may die so that she
will live again..... I offered my life and I have no doubt that my
death will be her life.... My only ambition all these 35 years is to
suffer and die a victim for the Cause"
Sr Bernadette of the Mother of God OCD

Shortly after...

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November 12, 2009

On the Anniversary of the last Apparition of the Mediatrix, a Decree
was declared by Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles, D.D. Archbishop of Lipa

Declaration of DECREE
Whereas, on April 12, 1951 the then Apostolic Administrator of Lipa, Rufino J.
Santos, D.D., issued a decree banning public veneration of the image of Our
Lady Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace;
Whereas, while the Carmelite nuns and some others, most specially the Lipa
clergy, obediently observed the ban, the great majority of ordinary faithful
silently but perseveringly continued their prayer to and devotion towards the
Mediatrix of All Grace;
Whereas, on July 16, 1991 after 40 years of silence the Most Rev Mariano G.
Gaviola in effect lifted the ban and allowed the veneration of the Image of
Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace for the people to pray for world peace;
Whereas, the fervour of numerous faithful from the Archdiocese of Lipa and
from elsewhere continued and even increased throughout the subsequent
years and many miracles of physical and spiritual healing have been
ceaselessly reported;
Whereas, increasing number of pilgrims heed the supposed call of the
Blessed Mother Mediatrix of All Grace by visiting the monastery making
penitential processions and praying almost everyday but most of all on first
Saturdays and every twelfth day of the month;
Whereas, the faithful seek from the official church guidance and assistance in
deeper faith;
Whereas, the local church of Lipa that will celebrate its centenary from April
10,2010 to April 10, 2011 looks forward to a deeper renewal of faith in all the
faithful and the increase missionary fervour with the help of Mary, the Star of
Third Millennium Evangelization;

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Whereas in the last one hundred years apparently the issue on the Mediatrix
of All Grace, regardless of the authenticity or not of the so-called Marian
apparitions in the Carmel of Lipa, is the most celebrated event recorded of
this local Church;
So, therefore, I, the undersigned Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Lipa
declare and publicly announce:
1. That pursuant to the instructions and conditions issued by my predecessor
Archbishop Mariano G. Gaviola, the decree of 1951 is hereby reversed;
2.That the public veneration of the image of Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace in
the Carmelite Monastery of Lipa be continued and made available for the
prayer of the pilgrims for true peace in our nation and the sanctification of all
priests;
3.That the contemplative and prayerful atmosphere of the Carmelite
monastery as willed by the reforms of St. Teresa of Avila be properly
maintained for the edification and spiritual growth of the pilgrims who join
the prayers of the contemplatives of the said place;
4.That all bans written or unwritten intended to curtail or diminish the
devotion to Mary Mediatrix of All Grace be lifted;
5.Finally, that a new commission be established to review the documents
about the so-called apparitions in 1948 as well as to compile further
documents thereafter up to the present.
Given this 12th day of November in the year of the Lord two thousand and
nine.
Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles, D.D.
Archbishop of Lipa

Lipa, Philippines 1948

(Taken from Reflections by Arch. Mariano Gaviola)
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Our Blessed Mother appeared 19 times to a novice in the Carmelite order in

Lipa City, Philippines.
Our Lady first appeared to the novice, Teresita Castillo, in August, when she
was in her cell.
While Teresita was praying in the convent garden on September 12, suddenly
a vine began to shake. Our Lady appeared to the seer and requested that
she kiss the earth and return to the same spot for fifteen consecutive days.
When Our Lady appeared, She was on a cloud, dressed in white, hands
clasped, and a golden Rosary hanging from Her right hand. Her dress was
very white, very simple, and had a narrow belt tied around Her. She was
radiant with beauty.
Our Lady requested the vine to be blessed, and also requested that a statue
was to be placed at the site of the apparition. These were all accomplished.
During the apparitions in 1948, Our Lady stressed humility, penance, prayers
for the clergy and the Pope, and to pray the Rosary.
Teresita reported that there was one secret for herself, one for the Carmel
convent in Lipa City, one for China, and also one for the entire world.
Our Lady requested that a Mass be held on the 12th day of every month.
Before She departed for the last time, the Blessed Virgin identified Herself
as:
" I am the Mediatrix of All Grace"
There are accounts of a blue bird appearing at the vine where Our Lady
appeared. There are also accounts of the spinning sun, heavy fragrance of
roses, and showers of rose petals that had miraculous images of Christ,
Mary, and other Holy Scenes on them. The rose petals (one is pictured on the
top of this page, and another is pictured on the bottom) are reported to have
remarkable curing powers.
It is also reported that Teresita received a Host for Holy Communion on her
tongue from an angel on an occasion when she was unable to attend Mass
because she was sick in bed. Teresita had other mystical experiences
including visions of the Sacred Heart, a multitude of angels, St. Cecilia, St.
Theresa of Lisieux, and many other saints. The seer was also seen to go into
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a state of unconsciousness, and then, while lying on the floor, enact the
agony of Christ on the Cross. This phenomenon was witnessed by the
prioress, Bishop Obviar, and members of the Carmel community at Lipa.
There was much commotion, and the Bishop and Mother Prioress were
released of their jobs. The nuns were ordered to destroy all materials
connected with the apparitions. They burned Teresita's diary, as well as the
Mother Prioress'. The statue was also ordered to be destroyed, but the nuns
kept it away, and saved it from destruction.
Our Lady warned that there would be persecutions; the convent was sealed,
and the nuns could talk to no one outside of the convent.
In February 1990, a strange new phenomenon was reported in the Granja
District of Lipa City. A white luminous outline of a female in prayer began to
appear on one of the leaves of a tall coconut tree. It was visible only in the
evenings.
On May 21, 1990, Sr. Aphonse pleaded on her deathbed that the Mediatrix
statue be again exposed in the chapel at the Carmelite convent. Her request
was granted the very next day. It would be the first time the statue would be
displayed for 40 years!
On January 24, 1991, rose petals began to fall straight from the sky again at
the Carmelite convent in Lipa City. A few days later, six children playing in
the garden at the convent saw the statue come to life.
Very negative media articles together with sham " Holy Rose Petals " dealers,
caused Teresita to leave the convent in the 1950's. This, together with the
Church's negative report, kept these apparitions hidden for some 40 years.
As a consequence, the Church has now set up a new commitee to investigate
the apparitions.
For more information, please contact:
Sr. Celine Gutierrez, ocd Shrine of Our Lady, Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace
Torres St., Antipolo Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines
AN ASSUMPTION SISTER
Perhaps the most convincing healing I came to know about in connection
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with the rose petals from Lipa Carmel, was that of Sr. Melanie Sunga, an
Assumptionist sister. On her own volition she visited my residence in Lipa
City . Exuding reverence and sincerity, she narrated in detail the healing
experience bestowed on her through Our Lady of Carmel.
A native of Ilocos Sur, Sr. Melania was born with right club oot. During her
late childhood, her mother went on a pilgrimage to Lipa Carmel. She
returned home with some water and rose petals that were given her by the
nuns of Lipa Carmel. She applied the water and the rose petals on the
afflicted foot of Melania. They then prayed a novena to Our Lady. Throughout
the novena, they found petals of roses in different parts of their home. They
then witnessed the foot of Melania turn completely normal. When Sr. Melania
showed me her right foot, I could not believe that this was once a club foot
from birth, I was truly normal.
Perhaps a year after her visit, Sr. Melania wrote me a deeply touching letter.
She must have been assigned in the Diocese of Malaybalay at the time. She
appealed for a speedy reopening of the Lipa Carmel case of 1948. She
wanted to see in her lifetime the triumph of Mary Mediatrix for she was
convinced that Our Lady truly appeared to Teresing Castillo.

SOME IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Among the issues or questions which I deem of considerable consequence
regarding the Lipa Carmel story are the following:
1. In the written account of Teresing Castillo's extraordinary experience at
Lipa Carmel from Sept. 12 suddenly became blind. This happened when she
confided to the late Bp. Obviar that while in a trance she experienced a
three-hour agony on the cross. Was this not a psychosomatic disorder? At
that time Teresing also had fits of vomiting and stomach pains. Because of
her health, she was advised by the Prioress to leave until she was healed.
Did Teresing at that time suffer from a psychological imbalance? Teresing
herself revealed to me that her doctor prescribed tranquilizer drugs for her.
After some time she feared addiction, and so stopped taking the drugs on
her own. This is attested to in a hand-written letter addressed to me by Rev.
Fr. Leo James English, CSSR.

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Because of the foregoing ailment, Teresing also consulted a lady psychologist

on the advise, I think, of Rev. Fr. Vicente Marasigna, SJ. Fr. Marasigan has
studied in even greater depth than I, the case of Teresing. It was clear to me
that Teresing is very confident of herself, and the lady psychologist,
apparently, had a positive impression of her.
I have always found Teresing to be sound and sharp of mind, straightforward,
completely confident and honest. I saw no psychological imbalance
throughout our acquaintance.
2. I also find it hard to understand the account of Teresing's having
experienced three agonizing hours on the cross. Whether she was in ecstacy
or in a trance when this occurred is not clear to me. What is more puzzling is
that this agonizing experience happened hardly two months after she
entered the monastery. However, the account adds that the devil tortured
Teresing throughout her agony. At the same time, Teresing was comforted
and strengthened by Our Lady Mediatrix.
In seeking to understand the above, I recalled the sacred scripture that says,
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring
and hers. (Gen. 3:15)
3. Also puzzling was the fact that in her last message to Teresing on
November 12, 1948, Our Blessed Mother revealed that the apparitions would
end. How then, that beginning from January 16, 1991 up until recently,
showers of roses and a scattering of rose petals have resumed in different
places on different occasions?
Faced with this seeming discrepancy, I have no doubt that Our Mother Mary
can explain herself in her own special way to our fullest satisfaction. It is
plausible that Our Lord Jesus allowed these things to happen in order to pave
the way for the reopening of the cause of His Blessed Mother Mary Mediatrix
of All Grace. This, too is my humble prayer.
SR. MARY ELIZABETH, OCD
Sr.Elizabeth was the first nun of the Lipa Carmel Monastery whom I invited
for an interview. Having entered the monastery as an extern nun before
1948, she was a witness to most of the happenings in Lipa Carmel. Sr.
Elizabeth is also well known throughout Lipa and other diocese for her
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exemplary simplicity, contagious vivaciousness and childlike candor. Her

tender love for the poor seems irrepressible. Because of her enticing
personality, she has won quite a number of friends in Lipa Carmel.
Although I cannot recall the details of what she said during our conversation,
one thing stands out -- her conviction that the happenings reported in Lipa
Carmel regarding Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace, Teresita Castillo, and the
showers of roses are true. She also affirmed that there was no human
intervention in the reported events, much less malice nor intent of deceit to
induce people to contribute to the construction of a chapel. She was in tears
as she recalled the innuendo and rumors that assailed the integrity of the
Carmelite nuns. I find her a most credible witness.
SR. BERNADETTE, OCD
Sr. Bernadette entered Lipa Carmel five years after the 1948 episode. Among
the staunchest champions of the cause of Our Lady Mediatrix of Lipa Carmel,
her exceedingly great devotion to Our Lay evoked a mother and child
relationship between them. Time and again, tears flowed silently as she
prayed and communed about her. Like a child, she makes tampo when Our
Lady does not grant her prayers. (Deep inside her, though, she is always
wholeheartedly resigned to God's will.)
When she was the librarian of their monastery, Sr. Bernadette sent me a
volume of letters that they have received from foreign countries including
Spain and the US . Mostly handwritten, the letters came from Lipa Carmel.
Together with the letters, Sr. Bernadette sent me her own. Her letters
unfolded at length. They manifested how intimately personal her devotion
was, and her steadfast confidence that the cause of Our Lady in Lipa Carmel
would be vindicated in God's time.
Having carefully gone over all these precious letters, I would not blame Sr.
Bernadette if she believed that they confirmed the Lipa Carmel incidents.
Incidentally as of this writing, I received a letter, from Sr. Bernadette dated
February 27, 1995. She could not have known that I was working on this
paper at the time that she wrote the letter. With touching simplicity, she
described what she shared during their Vintage Years Seminar held at St.
Scholastica's Center of Spirituality in Tagaytay City . Present were several
nuns from different Carmel monasteries in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao ,
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including a Carmelite Father. She explained to the group how and when she
came to decide to enter the monastery. The immediate cause, according to
the letter, was what she heard about Mary Mediatrix of All Grace as told to
her by Sr. Stephanie, OCD, of happy memory. Before then Sr. Bernadette
revealed that from her childhood she was not at all interested in anything
religious. In fact, she was wordly. Her having embrace the religious life was
just like the experience of St. Paul in Damascus a sudden grace of
conversion and mission. Also, her religious life evolved on the two-fold
message of the Blessed Virgin to Teresing, mainly to pray for priest and to
spread devotion of Our Lady, carried perhaps by the tearful narration of Sr.
Bernadette, all those present, including the priest, were driven to tears.
I would like to pay tribute to the spirit of obedience of Sr. Bernadette when
she consented that I keep in my private file all the letters regarding Our Lady
Mediatrix which she entrusted to my care, including those of her own. Her
sincere remonstration notwithstanding, she finally acceded to my request
that I preserve the letters, after I explained how much I prized them, adding
that these could be of some help to the cause of Mary Mediatrix sooner of
later.
It is my studied belief that Sr. Bernadette is an invaluable asset in favor of
the cause of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace.
SR. ALPHONSE OF MARY, OCD
Having made her perpetual profession on November 21, 1933 Sr. Alphonese
joined the first batch of Carmelite nuns to establish their new foundation in
the Archdiocese of Lipa. This was on May 23, 1946. Five months later, on
October 15 th , they moved to the new building of the present Lipa Carmel
Monastery with the construction work still going on. The first mass on the
new site was celebrated on the same day.
A picture of Lady Poverty and innocence, Sr. Alphonse struck me as a great
religious nun. My acquaintance with her, which I treasure, started in 1988. I
was informed of her pressing desire to see me about Our Lady Mediatrix of
All Grace. She sent a handwritten letter about Our Lady Mediatrix.
Remarkable in its simplicity and shortness, the letter ignited in me a
corresponding desire to see her in person. Not too long after, I paid her a
visit. We spoke at great length about her impressions and convictions
regarding the apparitions, the messages and showers of roses that took
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place in Lipa Carmel from September 12 to November 12, 1948. In graphic

terms, she narrated her experience when she accompanied Teresing Castillo,
who held on to her shoulder, from the visitor's parlor up to her cell on the
upper floor of the monastery. This was after Teresing became suddenly blind
during a talk with the late Most Rev. Alfredo Obviar, then Auxiliary Bishop of
Lipa. Sr. Alphonse vividly recalled the petals of roses that were strewn like a
carpet along the stairway up to the cell of Teresita Castillo.
The following quotation capsulizes my short-lived acquaintance with the late
Sr. Alphonse and the imperishable impression she left on me.
When we drew our Patron Saints for 1990, Sr. Alphonse was very happy
because she got Our Lady Mary Mediatrix of All Grace. She followed with
keen interest the development regarding Mary Mediatrix (Lipa). Two years
earlier, she had written to our Archbishop, Mariano G. Gaviola, to tell him
that she was already old and sickly, and that she wanted very much to
testify. She wanted to live to see Our Lady's triumph. One of her last and
greatest consolations was the visit of our Archbishop early this year. For
almost three hours she opened her heart to him and never tired afterwards
of saying how happy she was that she was able to speak to him. On March 5,
at her request, our good Archbishop entered to anoint her. In his homily at
her funeral mass, he was to say that his visit with Sr. Alphonse had left a
great mark on him. Her faith was so alive, there was not even a shadow of
painful resignation to the Will of God. All was gladness. He considered this
great religious of Carmel . (Taken from the resume of the life of Sr. Alphonse
as released by the Lipa Carmel Monastery after the latter's death.)
EXPOSURE OF THE IMAGE FOR PUBLIC VENERATIONS
After declaring that there was no supernatural intervention whatsoever
regarding the events at the Lipa Carmel Monastery in 1948, the Decree of
the Episcopal Commission of the Philippines Hierarchy also banned the
Image of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace from the public. The Image was
withdrawn from the monastery chapel, and kept in complete seclusion.
It is a tribute to the nuns of Lipa Carmel that not one of then had ever
approached me with a request that I allow the Image of Our Lady to be put
back at their chapel again. In fact in 1983, while recuperating from a major
surgery, I was visited by Mother Aimee who was then the Prioress of Lipa
Carmel. She disclosed her deep anxiety as well as of her Community, when
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she learned that some persons had been going around to solicit support to
have the Image of Our Lady brought back to the chapel for veneration.
Mother Aimee then assured me that, obedient to the provisions of the Decree
of the Episcopal Commission, they had nothing at all to do with the endeavor.
She said they were completely resigned to the Philippine Hierarchy's Decree.
Then came that fateful night of May 20, 1990. While in my way to the chapel
for night prayers, I was informed that the very dear Sr. Alphonse was called
to her eternal abode. Thereafter, I immediately instructed my private
secretary, Sr. Tomasa Lagman, MCST, to inform Mother Jacinta, the Prioress,
that I would say the requiem mass for Sr. Alphonse the following morning.
On the morning of May 21st, while taking my shower, I suddenly decided to
have the Image of Our Lady exposed in public during the funeral mass and
throughout that day, until 6:00 pm. In hindsight I myself was surprised by
this decision. Why did it come to me so spontaneously? How come I did not
for a moment think of consulting anyone? But the Lord God knows I was truly
grateful to the Holy Spirit, Mary's divine Spouse, for this singular inspiration.
It defies my imagination to think of the jubilation which engulfed the
Carmelite nuns when they heard of the decision through my secretary, which
was conveyed to them just about a hour before the funeral mass.
THE FUNERAL MASS OF SR. ALPHONSE
Upon my arrival at the monastery chapel around 11:00 am. Of May 21 st , I
was met by an extern nun who was jumping for joy. As I entered the chapel, I
was exceedingly surprised by the number of devotees that had come despite
the short notice. I learned later that they were already gathered at the
chapel before the sisters received my message allowing the exposure of the
Image of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace to the public as a homage to Sr.
Alphonse.
Soon after we marched in procession towards the main altar I saw for the
first time the lovely Image of Our Lady. In a simple setting, she was placed at
the right side of the presbytery. I was deeply touched and could not describe
my feelings then. I was in deep thought, when the realization came that this
would be the first time the Image of Our Mother was seen public after being
banned for 40 years.
I felt comfort and joy to see the handful of priests who helped concelebrate
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the mass with me. I could not help but wonder whether the congregation in
attendance was aware that Sr. Alphonse was the last golden link in the chain
of events that led to my decision to allow the public to again venerate the
Image of Our Mother. This was the constant prayer of Sr. Alphonse. As one of
the Carmelite nuns said, Sr. Alphonse obtained in death what she could not
obtained in life.
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL , JULY 16, 1991
The solemn novena and masses in preparation for the feast of Our Lady of
Carmel always draws a large number of devotees to Lipa Carmel. But as
could only be expected in 1991, the turn-out was something else. The
devotion to Mary Mediatrix was inflamed by the daily influx of pilgrims
throughout the year. Devotees literally jammed the chapel on July 16, 1991.
The mass started at 10:00 a.m. and I was the main celebrant and homelist.
Dozens of priests concelebrated with me together with Bishop Salvador Q.
Quizon, Auxillary Bishop of Lipa, and Rt. Rev. Alfredo Madlangbayan, P.A.,
Vicar General of Lipa.
Whether prompted by the Holy Spirit, I spontaneously felt this was the time
for a solemn announcement. Toward the end of my homily I proclaimed that
from that day onwards the sacred Image of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace will
be exposed for daily veneration, subject to the regular schedule of when the
chapel is closed to the public. I emphasized however that proper church
authorities can rescind or modify the decision.
In addition, I made it clear that in connection with the public veneration of
the Image of Our Lady, the following instructions and conditions were to be
strictly observed:
1.First and foremost, utmost reverence and veneration be accorded to the
Blessed Sacrament at the main altar. Only after a visit to the Eucharistic Lord
may the devotees of Our Lady Mediatrix proceed to venerate Her Image at
Her altar.
2.Pilgrims and visitors should observe reverence, proper decorum, and
silence in the chapel at all times.
3.Let it be known that the chapel is an integral part of the Carmelite
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monastery. Consequently, the rules of the monastery, especially those

concerning the cloister, the observance of silence of visiting hours, be
religiously respected.
In conclusion, I explained the main reason for my decision, I simply wanted
to find out, by the grace of God, what would be the spontaneous response of
the faithful. Namely, whether the response would eventually develop into a
form of sensus fidelium, a factor vital to the cause of Mary Mediatrix of All
Grace in Lipa Carmel.
A SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO REINVESTIAGE THE LIPA, CARMEL CASE
Lest it be overlooked, I hereby state that I was never alone in all the
measures I took as earlier described. I sought the prayers of many, many
devout people for guidance from the Holy Spirit. I constantly prayed for the
Lord's blessing, and sought His will on whether his Mother's cause at Lipa
Carmel be revived. I ceaselessly sought that intercession of Our Blessed
Mother and of Her Holy Spouse, St. Joseph patron not only of the Universal
Church, but in particular, of the Archdiocese of Lipa.
Inspired by the overwhelming response of the thousands of devotees of Mary
Mediatrix confronted by the increasing number of healings, both spiritual and
corporal, that came to our knowledge; urged by filial love and devotion to
Our Blessed Mother, and by a prayerful yearning for the truth, I finally firmed
up the conviction that the time had arrived to create a Special Committee
that would study in depth whether there were enough grounds to raise the
Lipa Carmel cause to higher church authorities to determine whether a reopening of the Lipa Carmel case is warranted.
I finally created this Special Committee at one meeting of our Presbyterial
Council of Lipa. It was agreed that the Committee would be composed of
seven(7) members whom the Council will choose by secret ballots from
among the Diocesian and religious priests of Lipa. Also, that the first seven
(7) to get the highest number of votes would form the committee. More still,
that I order to keep secret the members of the Special Committee, only the
Bishop would count the ballots. Furthermore, that the elected members be
informed by the Archbishop through a formal letter of appointment. The
secrecy was important so as to prevent undue influence or pressure on the
members of the Special Committee.
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NATURE OF THE ASSIGNMENT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE

The Special Committee having been formally organized, the members were
informed that their work as not to pass judgment on the findings of the CBCP
Episcopal Commission, much less to question its decision of the Lipa Carmel
case. They were simply told to make all the needed investigation and to
study the repots about the many extraordinary incidence that occurred after
the Decree of the CBCP Episcopal Commission. In short, the Special
Committee was supposed to focus their investigation only on reports about
Lipa Carmel that took place AFTER the promulgation of the same Decree of
1952.
However, I also authorized the Committee to gather testimonies of personal
witnesses to the Lipa Carmel events in 1948 and the early years thereafter.
Far from wanting to impugn the findings of the Epicopal Commission, we
simply wanted to know for ourselves what would be the testimonies of
witnesses under the present circumstances compared to what they might
have said under the circumstances when they were investigated by the CBCP
Episcopal Commission.
The main purpose of the Special Committee was to verify cases of physical
healings that were attributed to Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace after the
Decree of 1952. For its guidance and information the committee was invited
likewise to read for themselves the file on the Lipa Carmel case at the office
of the Archbishop of Lipa.
The Special Committee was then to submit their findings to the Archbishop of
Lipa, together with their considered opinion as to whether or not there were
enough solid grounds to request from higher Church authorities to reinvestigate the Lipa Carmel case.
THE EPISCOPAL COMMISSION DECREE OF 1952
As referred to earlier in this paper, the only document we found at the
archives of the Lipa Chancery of the Lipa Carmel case is a copy of the Decree
of the CBCP Episcopal Commission issued in 1952. In substance, the Decree
categorically mandated that all matters and materials referring to t he Lipa
Carmel events in 1948 had to be destroyed. Moreover, the nuns were
ordained to observe strict silence about the same reported events. The
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Image of the Mediatrix was to be withdrawn from the public or even

destroyed.
I never questioned the decision in the Decree. I personally knew each
member of the Commission and knowing their character, intelligence and
moral integrity, I refused to believe the rumors being bruited about, that
some of the members were under duress when they signed the document, at
the instance namely, of the late Papal Nuncio to the Philippines , Most. Rev.
Egidio Vagnozzi. I found it hard to believe in fact that Archbishop Vagnozzi
would even think of intimidating any member of the Commission.
All this notwithstanding, the fact is that we have also received reports,
letters, and affidavits attesting the contrary of my contention. Neither can I
question the credibility of the authors of the said communications.\
I also submit the great importance and attention be given to the postscript in
the same Decree of the Episcopal Commission. If I recall rightly, the
postscript states that the provisions of the Decree were to be strictly
enforced and observed until such time when the Holy See comes out with its
own verdict. (Underscoring supplied). Whereas, to the best of my knowledge
I do not think that the Holy See has ever come out with such a verdict.
MY MASS ON THE GROUNDS OF LIPA, CARMEL ON FEB. 6, 1992
Every first Saturday of the month is special to a vast number of Filipino
Catholics. In response to the appeal of the Blessed Virgin of Fatima, many go
to church and receive Holy Communion on that day. They pray for the
sanctification of the Clergy, as requested by the Blessed Virgin through the
children; Jacinta, Francisco, and Lucia. At Cova da Iria, Fatima , in Portugal
She appeared every 13th of the month from May to October, except on
August when she appeared on the 19th.
But the first Saturday of February 1992 was a First in the history of Lipa
Carmel. On this glorious day, people from all the walks of life and from many
parts of the country streamed to Lipa City to pay homage to Mary Mediatrix.
Thousands of pilgrims came and went the whole day. But some 20,000 to
30,000 remained and gathered for the special mass to the Blessed Mother at
4:00 p.m. The huge ground of Lipa Carmel overflowed with Marian devotees.
The afternoon mass was organized by a group of lay persons. The anxious
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Carmel nuns assured me that their only involvement was to allow the use of
their grounds. With trepidation, I consented to be the main celebrant, but
excused myself from giving the homily. I recommended instead, Msgr. Alfredo
Madlangbayan.
To avoid traffic I slipped into the monastery hours before the mass. I went to
the chapel to pray and prepare for the mass, only to be besieged by the
people who wanted to make a confession. I found myself hearing confession
up until the time for mass.
Going out of the chapel to the especially prepared altar at the portico, I saw,
with disbelief and complete awe, the immensity of the crowd that filled the
monastery grounds. Just as impressive was their orderliness. One could feel
their palpable fervor and filial devotion.
It was truly inspiring. At the same time, I was surprised by the number of
priests who came to concelebrate with me both the secular and the
religious clergy belonging to different dioceses.
THE SPINNING AND DANCING SUN
Before and during the mass on this unforgettable first Saturday of February
1992, the sky was overcast as though covered by a mantle which benignly
protected the faithful from the sun.
The priest-concelebrants went to their places of assignment to distribute
Holy Communion. Seated behind the altar, I started to perceive a stir among
the crowd. In no time, the stir mounted into clapping of hands and cries of
joy. Looking at the excited crowd, my first impression was that their
clappings were to welcome an important or popular personality who just
arrived. Then I realized that their heads were turned upward, and shifting my
eyes towards what was drawing their attention, I saw in awe the
extraordinary movements of the sun.
I also saw some of the priests who were distributing Holy Communion
similarly attracted by the sun and unconsciously suspending the Holy
Communion. Suddenly, the sun shot through the radiant and crimson-red
clouds, at times spinning vigorously, at other times as though shooting
downwards and backwards in a rapid succession. The rays were of different
colors. It was striking that I was able to stare straight into the sun for several
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minutes without suffering any glare. The sun appeared perfectly round. It
seemed like the Holy Eucharist in a golden monstrance.
The uncontrollable reaction to the ecstatic and overjoyed crowd, many of
whom I was told were in tears, is simply beyond description.
The vastness of the crowd, their overwhelming reaction to the heavenly
phenomenon, the behavior of the sun in the firmament, and the combined
impact of all this was too much for me. Despite my original resolve, I decided
to speak during the occasion.
Throwing caution to the wind, I spoke after the post-communion of the mass.
Briefly I explained the Teachings of the Church as enunciated by Vatican II in
Lumen Gentium about Mary and our Christian devotion to Her. While it is
true that Our Lord Jesus is the only Mediator between God and man (1Tim.
2:5-6). as Mediatrix of All Grace, Mary in no way obscures nor diminishes this
unique mediation of Christ, but rather, show its superabundance of the
merits of Jesus Christ and because of His infinite mercy and love, Jesus allows
Mary to participate in His unique mediatory power. According to the principle
of cause and effect, the further the distance of the effect from the cause, the
greater the power of the cause.
I recall having said also that if other countries had been blessed with the
apparition of our Blessed Mother, e.g., in Lourdes , France , and in Fatima ,
Portugal , why can't the Philippines be similarly blessed? Ours is the only
Christian nation in the whole of Asia . The Philippines is Marian out and out.
Our beloved nation is endearingly dedicated to the protection of Mary of the
Immaculate Conception as our Patroness.
For the first time, I declared in public that personally, I was fully
convinced that the happenings of Lipa Carmel in 1948 and
subsequent event related to Our Blessed Mother are very much
worthy of belief. I added that I am a firm believer of the veracity of
the said events.
In retrospect, it is significant that similar sightings of the dancing sun had
been witnessed by many people two or three years earlier and on different
occasions. On the other hand, I had never seen anything of the like. Neither
had I been desirous of having the same experience. The foregoing event
therefore on Feb.6th appeared loaded with a singular message as far as I
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was concerned.
Considering that the Holy See accepted my resignation as Archbishop of Lipa
on Dec. 30, 1991, presumptuous though it be, it as all too natural for me to
interpret this memorable experience as a gift from Our Blessed Mother.
What a beautiful farewell. I thought. (Come to think of it, was it not also
possible that through the unusual behavior of the sun, our almighty and
loving Father wanted to have His presence felt by the thousands of devotees
to Our Blessed Mother as a reward of their devotion to Her?)
Holy Scripture abounds with passages emphasizing the presence of God
through the behavior of the clouds or the sun in the firmament.
The Transfiguration of Our Lord is described as follows: He was transfigured
before their eyes His face became as dazzling as the sun, His clothes as
radiant as light (Mat.17:2). Church tradition finds the words in the
Revelation as referring to Our Blessed Mother: A great sign appeared in the
sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet. And on her
head a crown of twelve stars (Rev.12:1). In fact too, 70,000 people
witnessed a similar behavior of the sun during the last apparition of Our Lady
to Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia in Fatima , of Oct. 13, 1917.
In this connection, it is not quite far-fetched, nor will I feel guilty of unbridled
fanaticism or emotionalism, should I find it utterly possible that God, in His
infinite mercy, by allowing the phenomenon of the revolving and dancing
sun, placed His stamp of divine approval on the humble, unrelenting efforts
of countless people to propagate devotion to Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace
of Lipa Carmel.
Indeed, would it be too presumptuous of me to believe that Our Lord Jesus
wanted to show through this phenomenon His joy when after 40 years of
seclusion, the Image of His Mother was once more brought out for public
veneration since May 21, 1991?
PARANORMAL OR THE DEVIL'S INTERVENTION
In view of the foregoing I would be generous if I were to concede the
possibility that the visions of Teresing Castillo, and the messages she
received, the shower of roses, the healings that took place at different times
and places, and all other events related to Our Lady Mediatrix were nothing
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but paranormal events. Paranormal means they simply cannot be explained

scientifically. To my mind, paranormal things belong to the natural order.
They do not relate to the sacred, much less the supernatural. But the case of
Lipa is contrary because everything that we hear about Mary Mediatrix in
Lipa Carmel is always related to the sacred and the supernatural.
On the other hand, it is quite far-fetched, if not a contradiction, to conclude
that what happened and continues to happen at Lipa Carmel in connection
with the devotion to Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace, are machinations of
Satan. As a matter of fact, the messages received by Teresing from Our
Blessed Mother are in substance, the same as the messages of Our Lady of
Lourdes and Our Lady of Fatima. It is most unseemly of Satan to be giving
messages that urge the faithful to pray for the sanctity of priests and
religious, to do penance, and make acts of reparation for our sins and for the
sins of the whole world. As our Lord Jesus reminds us: Every kingdom
divided against itself is laid to waste. If Satan is divided against himself, how
can his kingdom last since you say it is by Beelzebul that I cast out devils
(Lk. 11:17-20).
Obviously, Satan will be destroying his kingdom if he were the author of all
the great events at the Lipa Carmel Monastery and related cases.
With regards to the dancing sun, we are told that some scientists explain the
phenomenon as a natural effect caused by the interaction of the radiance of
the sun and the movements of the clouds. Granting that this is true, I find it
difficult to explain how it was that several of those present at the Lipa
Carmel grounds when I said mass on Feb. 6, 1992, did not see any unusual
movements of the sun? Among them were several seminarians of the School
of Theology who attested that they had seen nothing unusual on the
occasion.
It behooves us to recall further the scriptural passages wherein God
proclaims His presence or omnipotence through the movements of the sun,
the clouds, and other celestial bodies. (cfr. Ex. 3:2-3; 14:24; 19:18-19; Math.
27:45; 52:53; Acts 9:3-5; Rev. 10:1; etc.).
CONCLUSION:
As earlier mentioned this Reflections does not intend in any manner to
impugn the integrity, capability and good intention of the Most Rev.
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members of the Episcopal Commission who came out with the Decree on
Lipa Carmel in 1952. I have personally known each one of them, and I hereby
vouch for their intelligence, prudence and wisdom. May they rest in peace.
Placed under the same circumstances that obtained at the time of their
investigation, and based on their own findings, I think I would have decided
as they had done.
This humble presentation is rather focused on the happenings and findings
that could be gathered throughout the period immediately following the
issuance of the Decree up to the present.
Notwithstanding however my own inadequacy and the limited study and
findings I present above, I doubt if I would have made the same direction
under the present circumstances.
In conclusion, allow me to submit, Your Excellency, that there are sufficient
reasons for your Special Committee to delve more deeply and intensively
into the areas of its (Special Committee) concern. As delineated somewhere
in this paper, I humbly submit likewise that there is urgency in this matter. I
fervently pray that your Committee be constantly guided by the light of the
Spirit through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother and the protection of
St. Joseph .
May the Most Blessed Trinity and the Holy Family of Nazareth be with you
always.
The Lord is Risen. Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia
MARIANO G. GAVIOLA, D.D.Archbishop Emeritus of Lipa Easter
SundayApril 16, 1995

September 12, 2006 as a National Day of Prayer,

Reparation, and Consecration for our nation.
PROCLAMATION NO. 1095
By the President

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DECLARING SEPTEMBER 12, 2006, AS A NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER,

REPARATION AND CONSECRATION FOR OUR NATION
WHEREAS, the promotion of peace and unity among the Filipino people
remains to be one of the highest goals of the Government;

WHEREAS, this goal has all too often lost its relevance in our nation, which is
beset by hostility, bitterness, constant conflict, and too much politics;

WHEREAS, our country is facing several challenges, which require the

steadfast devotion of every Filipino to work for the common good and for the
betterment of our country;

WHEREAS, a day of prayer, convertion, reparation, and consecration may

serve to promote the attainment of our national goals;

WHEREAS, in order to make reaffirmation of our commitment to promote the

attainment of this goal, through personal reflection, change in attitudes, and
solidarity for the public welfare and the development of our country,
September 12 of last year had been declared as a National Day of Prayer,
Conversion, Reparation, and Consecration for our nation;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the

Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by
law, do hereby declare September 12, 2006 as a National Day of
Prayer, Reparation, and Consecration for our nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of
the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 10th day of July, in the year of our Lord, Two
Thousand and Six.

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An excerpt from the book The Roots of Teresas Nuns in the

Philippines volume 2 by Sr. Mary Teresa Sideco:
On February 27, 1950, Mo. Mary Cecilia was called to the parlour by
a well-known priest who told her confidentially that something
would happen that day, something Mother Mary Cecilia had no idea
about whatsoever. After the parlour visit, quietly, she went to
inspect the construction of the still unfinished monastery.
Shortly after, there was a loud knock at the enclosure door.
On opening, there were Msgr. Rufino Santos with Msgr. Domingo
Librea and two Carmelite nuns who were heavily veiled). The
community was summoned to the choir and Msgr. Santos
announced: you will have another prioress from now on. Here
is Mo. Mary of Christ; and Sr. Magdalene to be your (novice)
mistress. Bishop Santos then ordered Mo. Mary Cecilia to pack
up her things in 30 minutes: And you Mo. Cecilia, Im giving
you half an hour to pack your things and no more, no more than
that.
Neither Mo. Mary Cecilia nor the community knew where she
would be taken. Only later was it learned that Msgr. Librea had
accompanied her to Jaro Carmel for the beginning of her
exile. Late, she was brought back to Manila by Fr. James P.
Moran, S.J. to face the Church Tribunal. Only God knows the
intensity of the heartaches that she went through during those
days.
Mo. Mary Cecilias exile last 13 long hears. After
her brief stay in Jaro Carmel, she was brought back to Manila
Carmel where she remained deprived of active and passive voice.
Mother Mary Cecilia was forbidden to participate in the community
acts and has to sleep in the infirmary. The infirmarian and
Subprioress of Lipa Carmel, Mother Mary Anne was banished to
Laoag Carmel. She was suspected to have influenced the prioress
since she has a strong character.
During that period, the church authorities pressured some bishops
to denounce the apparition of Our Lady. The church hierarchy in the
Philippines imposed to all OCD Nuns in the Philippines strict silence
where they are not to speak about the apparition again. In order to
reinforce obedience, they were told that if they talk about it among
themselves, they will commit venial sin and if they talk about it to
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their relatives and friends outside, they will commit mortal sin and
possible excommunication. This directives causes crying spells
among the nuns in Lipa Carmel and they feared hearing the parlour
bell since they were also questioned by a Carmelite priest sent by
the Generalate to investigate. Further, the Lipa community was
ordered to burn the petals, booklets, prayer cards, holy cards of the
Mediatrix of all Grace and to destroy her image. The Nuns cant
bear to do such thing so they hid the image.
Several years later, another French nun, Mother Mary Clare
(foundress of San Pablo Carmel), Prioress of Manila Carmel at that
time wrote to Rome inquiring about the status of the exiled nuns.
Mother Mary Cecilia and Mother Mary Anne were eventually allowed
to return and were reunited with nuns in Lipa Carmel.
Later in Lipa Carmel, Mother Mary Cecilia was appointed Novice
Mistress and was in charge of formation of young nuns, and she was
loved and respected by all. She never opened her mouth to criticize
those who maligned her, she kept the ban that was ordered to her.
Bishop Escaler (who conducted the community retreat) lifted the
ban of silence imposed to her and she was allowed to write her own
memoirs about the event. Mother Mary Cecilia knelt in front the the
Prioress and asked permission to go (die) to hasten Our Lady's
cause. She died in the early 1980's. Sr. Teresita (Teresing Castillo) is
still alive, never got married and she now works in a church.
Some helpful explanation about the book:
Msgr. Santos became the first Filipino Cardinal.
Manila Carmel is where Mother Mary Cecilia made her noviciate
and solemn vows. Mother Mary Cecilia of Jesus (choir nun) ,
Mother Mary Angelina of St. Teresa (choir nun; foundress of
Angeles and Baguio Carmels) and Sister Alphonse of Mary (lay
sister) were the original co- foundresses of Manila Carmel, the
second Carmel in the Philippines. Sr. Alphonse was wearing
white veil of the lay sister (on the first photo, she is the lay sister
with white veil seated-far left)
Mother Mary of Christ and Sr. Magadalene were wearing the great
or grate veils that covers their entire faces. Before Vatican II,
these veils were often used when Carmelite Nuns goes out of the
enclosure for foundation purposes, during procession inside the
enclosure but fearing that they may be seen by outsiders, when
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the choir grille is opened and the choir is lighted. If the choir
grille is opened, the Nuns normally dimmed the light inside the
choir to avoid being seen.
Passive Voice is the right to be voted for while Active Voice is the
right to vote. St. Therese waived her passive and active voice
since she had 3 more sisters with her in Lisieux Carmel. St.
Teresa of Jesus discouraged blood sisters and cousins in entering
the same Carmel since it may influence the election of officers in
a community, thereby, promoting nepotism. Before Vatican II,
the maximum members in each Carmel are 21 nuns and at least 3
are lay sisters. Lay Sisters have neither active nor passive voice.
In Carmel , Novice Mistress are not elected but appointed. The
Prioress has the sole right to appoint the mistress. It is
customary in Carmel that after the community election, the exofficio prioress will be appointed as Novice Mistress but, if the
elected Prioress feels that the nun is not suitable for the office
she has to take the office herself and appoint one of the sisters to
assist her. This is exactly what happened to St. Therese of the
Child Jesus. After the re-election of Mother Marie de Gonzague as
prioress, Mother Agnes of Jesus (Pauline) was not appointed as
Novice Mistress. Instead, Mother Gonzague combined the offices
of Prioress and Novice Mistress into one. But as per
constitutions, she has the right to appoint a nun to help her with
the work. She appointed St. Therese as auxiliary novice
mistress. She assumed all the work of a fine Novice Mistress but
she never got the title. Mother Gonzague is the official novice
mistress and St. Therese is her capable assistant.
Prioresses are generally elected but during foundations, they are
usually appointed by the Mother Prioress of the founding Carmel
with the consent of the Bishop or the Bishop himself will appoint
her.

Mother Mary of Christ assumed the leadership as Prioress in Jaro

Carmel (the first Carmel in the Philippines ) when Mother Theresa
of Jesus went to Manila to found the first Carmel in Luzon island.
Both Mothers were French who helped the foundations of
Vietnam ( Annam ) Carmels. I do not know if Sr. Magdalene is a
French or a Filipina nun. Some of the French Nuns who came to
help in the foundations of Philippine Carmels went back to France
.
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Miracles attributed to Mary Mediatrix

by Nestor Cuartero
February 4, 2014 (updated)

In medical science, testimonies rank the lowest in the ladder of acceptability. Medicine being an
exact science, it relies heavily on exhaustive, drawn out scientific research before a finding or
claim, much less, a phenomenon, is given a stamp of approval.
Is it the same in the practice of ones faith or religious life?
The book, Miracles of the Rose Petals, unveils many more revelations on how the Blessed
Mother healed or came in aid of distressed persons. Last week, we cited some of them. Here are
more testimonials as lifted from the book published by the Commission on Research and
Documentation under the Archdiocese of Lipa-Batangas. The book attempts to shed light on the
series of reported apparitions by the Blessed Mother before a novitiate at the Carmel convent in
Lipa in 1948 and the subsequent shower of rose petals that followed.
Sister Melania Maria Sunga of the Religious of the Assumption was born with a club foot, a
deformity in the shape of the foot where the ankle serves as the sole. Throughout her childhood,
she walked with a limp that caused her so much physical pain.
Though not religious as a child, Melania grew up with a prayerful mother, who offered novenas
and daily masses for her daughters recovery. She constantly prayed to Mary Mediatrix, until one
morning in 1949 when she was 9, Melania woke up with a miracle.
Overnight, her right foot suddenly straightened like it had never been dislocated. In her
recollection, Sister says she hasnt forgotten the joy of having to wear slippers for the first time
in her life and also having to walk straight.
Sister Melanias miraculous healing became the biggest news in her hometown, Candon, Ilocos
Sur at the time. It is also the subject of an affidavit signed by the good sister herself as part of her
testimony.
The miracle didnt begin and end with Melanias healing. A week after the unexplained incident,
her brother Abelardo, then 11, found a brownish rose petal inside his pan de sal as the family was
having breakfast. As we put the said petal against the light, we saw the half body image with a
halo of Our Lady, the Blessed Mother, writes Sister Melania.

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Another brother, Antonio, then 13, discovered rose petals pressed within candy wrappers he was
collecting for their images of Batman and Superman. A sister, Elena, then 17, was sweeping the
floor in front of the altar where an image of Mother Mary was enthroned. As Elena gathered the
dust in a dustpan, a strong wind blew away what she was about to collect. Next she looked, she
saw six rose petals on her dust pan.
These manifestations served as an inspiration for the Sunga family to undertake a thanksgiving
pilgrimage to the Carmelite convent in Lipa in May 1949.
The confession by Santiago Datu Sapadas, a Muslim who converted to the Catholic faith after
personally witnessing a miracle inspired by Mary Mediatrix, is worth telling and re-telling. In
2000, Santiagos pregnant wife was rushed to a hospital in Davao where she was diagnosed with
an enlarged heart filled with fluid.
Her skin had turned bluish in shade. She could hardly breathe after experiencing a series of heart
failures. Doctors warned Santiago of his wifes fatal condition, that she might never see the break
of another day.
When friends and family members introduced Santiago to Our Lady, he faithfully obliged and
joined them in praying to her. A relative placed a rose petal from Lipa on Mindas chest. A tearful
Santiago promised he would join any religion that could heal his wife and save their baby.
Within three days, Santiago, in his affidavit, says Minda slowly recovered. As soon as she was
discharged from hospital, fit and healthy, Santiago had himself baptized in Catholic faith.
In the same book, Mimit Zialcita writes about her own moment of realization in an essay called
Testimony of My Cure. Diagnosed with malignant growth in her throat area, she talked with
Mother Mary every night, as she lifted her sickness to the Lord. Thy will be done, she prayed.
While her father was confined in a hospital, he was visited by the visionary from Lipa. Mimit
writes: She asked what was ailing me.She put her hand over my throat as she prayed. I felt the
heat from her hand covering my throat. Then, she took some blessed oil and made the sign of the
cross over the two spots where my tumors were. She prayed to Mother Mary, Mediatrix of All
Grace, and she asked the guardian angels to guide the hands of the doctors.
Mimit went ahead with her surgery to remove the lumps, described by her doctor after a
laboratory test as carcinogenic. How surprised she was that when she awoke, her doctor also
expressed surprise that after biopsy, they were found to be benign after all.
The doctor said it was the first time he had operated on a tumor that showed malignancy during
aspiration only to be proven benign later.
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He couldnt believe it, so he told the pathologist to do a biopsy of the whole thyroid that was
removed. He was very happy for me and congratulated me for beating the odds, writes Ms.
Zialcita.
To this day, devotion to Mary Mediatrix at the Carmel convent in Lipa intensifies with every
telling and retelling of miracles attributed to Our Lady. Hundreds of devotees, including many
from out of town, flock to the convent on the first Saturday of every month when masses and a
dawn procession are offered in her honor.
(nescuar@yahoo.com)

Arguelles to Launch Marian Society

Aug 20, 2007 by admin

A MARIOLOGICAL Society to be called Pueblo Amante de Maria Mariological Society of the
Philippines (PAMMSPhil) will be launched on September 12, in time for the annual pilgrimage
and celebration of the National Day of Prayer for Peace and Sanctification of the Clergy in honor
of Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace.
Mariological societies are established in many countries around the world, but not one yet is set
up in the Philippines.
According to Fr. Melvin Castro, president and founder of the Confraternity of Mary, Mediatrix of
All Grace, the choice of the name for the society manifests the Filipinos filial devotion to the
Blessed Mother.
Archbishop Arguelles does not want it [society] just to be called Mariological society but
Pueblo de Amante which speaks of the Marian spirit that essentially describes us as a people and
as a country, he said.
PAMMSPhil will have theologians and Marian devotees as members. Castro said the goal is to
make an in depth study of Marian devotions and provide theological foundation to guide
devotees in their devotional practices.
There is a tendency among our devotees to resort to fanaticism [in their devotional practices, so
the need for] theological basis or foundation, said Castro.
On September 11, an overnight vigil and healing mass is scheduled with Fr. Jerry Orbos as
speaker.
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Archbishop Ramon Arguelles will celebrate the 6 am mass on September 12 to be followed by a

Marian conference at 8 am. Fr. Melvin Castro will talk on the Lipa apparitions that happened 59
years ago. In the afternoon, Archbishop Arguelles will officially launch PAMMSPhil following
the talk of Jesuit theologian Fr. Catalino Arevalo, who will explain what Pueblo de Amante
meant. The day will be capped with a concelebrated mass with Cardinal Ricardo Vidal as main
celebrant and Archbishop Angel Lagdameo as homilist.
Pueblo Amante de Maria has Archbishop Arguelles as president and Ambassador Howard Dee as
vice president. Current members are composed of theologians from the clergy and Marian groups
Friends of the Mediatrix and Magniticat movements. The membership committee is headed by
Fr. Melvin Castro.

National Pilgrimage
Already in its fourth year, the annual pilgrimage in honor of Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace has
drawn thousands of Marian devotees all over the country who gather in Lipa Carmel to pay
homage to our Lady.
The annual pilgrimage is spearheaded by the Archdiocese of Lipa and National Movement for
Mary Mediatrix of All Grace.
The National Movement is a coalition of various Marian organizations in the country, one of
which is Friends of Mary the Mediatrix. (Pinky Barrientos,FSP)

Source: CBCP Monitor, Vol. 11, No. 17. August 20 September 2, 2007

The message of Lipa; its time has come.

On November 12th 2009, the Archbishop of Lipa, Philippines, the Most Rev. Ramon C. Arguelles
announced the setting-up of a new commission of enquiry into the apparitions of Our Blessed
Lady that allegedly occurred there in 1948 in the wake of World War II. Lipa, a city in Batangas
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Province, about 80 kilometers from Manila, had been the scene of a terrible massacre carried out
by occupying Japanese forces. Details of the massacre remain sketchy to this day, but it is quite
probable that, in what must have been a manifestation of indescribable brutality and barbarism,
several thousand civilians were butchered.
The claimed supernatural events of 1948 centered around Teresita Teresing Castillo, a young
novice in the Carmelite Monastery in Lipa. Teresita was born on July 4 th. 1927, the youngest of
seven children of a former governor of Batangas, Modesto Castillo. At the time of the
supernatural events, he was the Judge of the Court of Industrial Relations.
Early on the morning of her 21st. birthday, July 4th 1948, Teresita left her fathers house and made
her way to the Carmelite monastery in Lipa, following an inner call to the religious life. This
decision did not meet with the immediate approval of her family, who made several attempts to
take her back home.
Teresitas experiences of the supernatural realm began within a month of entering the convent.
While her later experiences, those now the subject of a renewed archdiocesan investigation
involved apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the first of them took the form of visitations of
a far less welcome and much more frightening nature.
On July 31st. the young novice heard three loud knocks at the door, then a repulsive voice
accompanied by a foul odour. When, to the great relief of the terrified novice her infernal visitor
departed, he left behind, as physical proof of having been there, a set of sooty footprints that
were not of human origin. Over the ensuing few days, there would be other such diabolic
visitations that included physical assaults, (with the bruises to prove it), and one incident in
which the devil appeared on a wall with flames around his head.
Such manifestations from hell cannot occur unless they are permitted by God. And God only
permits them to happen because the outcome will be that the devil will be vanquished and
humiliated. Therefore it would seem to be the case that the devil was given leave to attempt to
drive young Teresita Castillo away from the convent, and so prevent the great manifestations of
the Powers of Heaven that were to follow.
By August 18th. after a final assault had left the poor young woman battered and bruised, the Evil
One was gone. Thus began the series of apparitions, nineteen in all, which are now the subject of
the renewed investigation. The series of apparitions of Our Lady and other supernatural events
lasted for a period of almost three months, the news began to spread beyond the monastery walls
to reach the ears of the local population, and it did not stop there - rumors and accounts of the
events spread throughout the main island of Luzon, and much further throughout this archipelago
of 7000 islands. Many thousands of people who had only recently tasted the horrific brutality of
the Japanese occupation began to make their way to Lipa, hoping to witness the events and hear
the great message of hope that the Queen of Heaven and Earth had come to deliver.
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It was on Sunday September 12 th. the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, at about 5:00 p.m.as
Teresita was taking a quiet walk in the convent garden that suddenly, a vine began to shake. This
immediately caught her attention, since there was no wind, and nothing else in the garden was
disturbed. She heard the gentle voice of a woman; a voice so beautiful that it ravished the soul.
Yet Teresita did not see anyone; as far as she was aware, she was alone in the garden. The voice
said, Fear not, my child.He who loves above all things has sent me. Kiss the ground.
Whatever I shall tell you to do, you must do. For fifteen consecutive days, come to visit me
here in this spot.
The next day, at the same time, Teresita returned to that same part of the garden as directed by
the beautiful voice she had heard the previous day. The young novice knelt and began to pray the
Hail Mary, but she had not gone beyond the words, .full of grace when the vine once
again began to shake. This time, she saw the most indescribably beautiful young woman,
standing on clouds a mere two feet above the ground. She was stooping slightly towards Teresita;
her hands clasped on her breast as if in prayer, and a golden rosary hung from her right hand. She
wore a simple dress of purest white, held at the waist by a narrow cloth belt. A radiantly beautiful
smile adorned the Ladys face, and she said, Be faithful to come here, be it rain or sunshine
Teresita, mesmerized by such unearthly beauty asked, Beautiful lady, who are you? The lady
replied, I am your mother And with that, she disappeared from sight.
.On September 16th. Our Lady requested a statue to be made and placed at the site of the
apparition. I want a statue of myself so that my little ones can see me. Describe me to your
chaplain, because I want my statue to look as you see me, and be as large as the statue of Our
Lady of Lourdes which stands inside the cloister. I ask this from Carmel. I wish that my image
be placed here. This place must be cleaned, so that it may become a shrine for prayer.
The sculptor Cristobal was commissioned to make the statue in accordance with the description
given by Teresita Castillo at Our Ladys request. When the statue was installed for public
veneration, many unusual events occurred, including spontaneous healings and the miraculous
shower of rose petals that would become the hallmark of the Lipa apparitions.
The crowds who gathered beyond the convent walls would soon witness great prodigies,
including figures of holy personages in the clouds, a spinning, pulsating sun, and as tangible
proof of the supernatural nature of the events, thousands upon thousands of rose petals bearing
sacred images of Jesus, Mary and other saints. The spinning sun and showers of rose petals are
evocative of Fatima, where rose petals also fell from the sky. However, unlike those petals,
which seem to evaporate before they reached the ground, those which fell at Lipa were
gathered up by thousands of witnesses. In what would seem to be another strong association with
Fatima, the petals which fell at Lipa were examined by botanists and found to be of a type native
only to Russia.

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On September 27th. the fifteenth consecutive day since the series of apparitions began, Our
Blessed Lady delivered the following message to Teresita. Announcing herself as Mediatrix of
All Grace. Our Lady said, Pray, my child. The people do not heed my words. Tell my
daughters that there will soon be unrest, persecutions and bloodshed in your country. The
enemy of the Church will try to destroy the faith which Jesus established and died for. The
Church will suffer much. Pray for the conversion of sinners throughout the world. Pray for
those who rejected me, and for those who do not believe and trust me. Spread the meaning of
the Rosary, because this will be the instrument for peace throughout the world. Tell the people
that the Rosary must be said with devotion. Propagate the devotion to my Immaculate Heart.
Do penance for priests and nuns. But be not afraid, for the love of my Son will soften the
hardest of hearts and my motherly love will be their strength to crush the enemies of God.
What I ask here is the same as I asked at Fatima.
Teresita also received secrets, which he has closely guarded until this day; (she is now eighty
two). All she has ever revealed is that there was one secret for her Carmelite community, one for
the Philippines, and one for China. (Whether or not the bulk of Our Ladys messages were
recorded in Teresitas diaries, we do not know, since they were ordered to be destroyed).
Some of Teresitas ecstasies were witnessed by others. On one occasion, she was seen to fall to
the ground in an apparently trance-like state and re-enact the agony of Jesus on the Cross. This
was witnessed by Auxiliary Bishop of Lipa, Alfredo Obviar and a number of members of the
Carmelite community, including the prioress, Mother Cecilia Zialcita, who was also favoured
with interior locutions. It was also reported that Teresita received Holy Communion on the
tongue from the hand of an angel and that, in addition to the apparitions of Our Lady,, she also
had visions of the Sacred Heart, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Cecilia, as well as hosts of angels.
The immediate post-war years would see the most rapid extension of communist domination in
many parts of the world. The defeat of Germany in the European war, and the infamous Yalta
Conference facilitated Russias territorial hegemony and her political and military domination of
Eastern and Central Europe and Central Asia. As the supernatural events of Lipa were unfolding,
the communist forces of Mao Zhedong were seizing control of China, leading to the deaths of an
estimated seventy - to one hundred million people. (Despite the illusion created by China
opening up to the West and embracing free market principles, Maos communist heirs and
successors are still in total control; the Church is persecuted, and China aggressively covets the
natural resources of the Americas, Africa and Australia, the vast oil reserves of Central Asia,
and in addition, the fresh water supplies of Chinas neighbours).
We know only too well that, had Our Ladys requests at Fatima been heeded, World War II
would not have occurred and the menace of communism would have been neutralised. It is also
undoubtedly true that, had the message of Lipa been accepted by the Church and embraced by
the people, the now very real and immediate threat posed to the Asia/Pacific region by
communism would never have developed. But the Church did not accept the supernatural
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character of the events, the propagation of the message was stifled, and for the great majority of
Filipinos, it faded from memory.

The Response of the Ecclesiastical Authorities

The Bishop of Lipa at the time of the events, Alfredo Verzosa, did accept their supernatural
character, as did his auxiliary, Bishop Alfredo Obviar. (Bishop Obviar had witnessed Teresitas
Passion ecstasy. Bishop Verzosa was convinced by witnessing at first hand a great shower of rose
petals). Unfortunately, the papal nuncio in Manila did not share their enthusiasm. Instead, he
orchestrated a campaign to discredit the phenomena and obliterate Lipa from the consciousness
of the Church. Bishop Alfredo Verzosa was stripped of all administrative duties; he remained a
bishop in name only. He had used his familys wealth to rebuild churches and schools damaged
during the war. Despite this, he was falsely accused of having mishandled war reparations and
diocesan finances. This good and faithful bishop of the Catholic Church was effectively banished
from priestly life, going into exile at his home in Vigan, where he worked to supplement a
modest family income by rolling tobacco leaves. Bishop Alfredo Obviar was also removed and
remained essentially inactive until he was eventually appointed Bishop of Lucena. (Bishop
Obviars tomb at Lucena has become something of a place of pilgrimage in its own right, and it
is reported that many favours have been granted through his intercession).
A commission of Filipino bishops was established to investigate the matter though they never
so much as interviewed a single witness; they were in reality a wrecking crew! The prioress,
Mother Cecilia Zialcita, was transferred to another convent and assigned the duties of a scullery
maid. (She is said to have prophesied at her death that the investigation into the events of Lipa
would be re-opened and proper devotion to Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace would be restored)
Teresita was subjected to a regime of intimidation, bullying and threats in an attempt to induce
her to sign a false confession that the events at the Carmelite Monastery in Lipa in 1948 were a
hoax of her own making. Such was the protracted intensity of this treatment that it eventually
took a great toll on her health, and she was compelled to spend long periods of time at the
University of San Tomas hospital. Because of this, she failed to complete the necessary
minimum period of time as a novice of the Carmelite Order, and in 1950 she was obliged to
leave the convent. .
Prior to his removal, Bishop Verzosa had permitted public devotion to Our Lady under the title,
Mediatrix of All Grace. However, in 1951 the bishops commission declared that there was no
supernatural intervention in the reported extraordinary happenings, including the shower of
rose petals, at Lipa. Bishop Verzosas successor, Rufino Santos ordered that no petals were to
be given to anyone by the Lipa Carmelite community; the statue requested by Our Lady herself
was to be destroyed, and Teresita Castillos diary and that of Mother Cecilia were to be burned.
While the nuns complied with the command to burn the diaries and the miraculous rose petals,
they could not bring themselves to destroy Our Ladys statue, and they wrapped it carefully in
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rags and jute and hid it in a cellar. As for the bishops commission, while it did appear that their
negative judgement had been unanimous, some of them confessed before their deaths that,
though they had privately believed the events to be genuinely of supernatural origin, they had
been intimidated by the threat of excommunication unless they denounced the apparitions as
fraudulent.

The Tide has turned

On May 21st. 1990,a member of the Carmelite community, Sister Aphonse, pleaded on her
deathbed that the statue of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace be exposed in the convent chapel.
The request was granted the following day, and the statues forty years in the wilderness were at
an end. It would later be reported that, on January 24th. 1991, rose petals again fell from the sky
at the Carmelite Monastery, and six young children playing in the garden claimed that the statue
came to life. Later that year, Archbishop Mariano Gaviola overturned the forty year ban and gave
permission for public veneration of the statue. The following year, he expressed his personal
conviction that the events at the Carmelite Monastery in 1948 are worthy of belief.
In the Jubilee Year 2000, then Archbishop Gaudencio B. Rosales announced the creation of a
new parish, to be dedicated to Mary Mediatrix of All Grace, in the southern part of Lipa City
-Antipolo del Norte where the Carmelite Convent is located. (Archbishop Rosales is now His
Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, Archbishop of Manila and Primate of the Philippines).
And so to the present. On November 12th 2009, Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles, who succeeded
Gaudencio Rosales as Archbishop of Lipa, issued a decree announcing the formation of a new
commission to investigate the 1948 Lipa apparitions. The decree stated:
Inasmuch as, in the year 1951 a decree issued by the then Administrator of Lipa Rufino J.
Santos banned public veneration of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace in Lipa Carmel;
Inasmuch as, in the year 1991, the Most Rev. Mariano G. Gaviola lifted the forty years ban;
Inasmuch as, the faithful came unceasingly on pilgrimage to the Carmel of Lipa and have
obtained favors from Mary Mediatrix of All Grace;
Inasmuch as, there is need to deepen and spread the message and meaning of the visit of
our Blessed Mother;
Inasmuch as, many written documents on the wonders of the Blessed Mother Mediatrix of
All Grace have cropped up;
I deem it necessary to create a new commission to evaluate the documents still available
since the events of 1948 until the present moment and to advise the present Church
leadership, especially in the Archdiocese, on the proper pastoral approach towards this
ongoing pilgrimage to the Chapel of the Mediatrix of All Grace.
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When contacted by Marrah Erika Lesaba of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Archbishop Arguelles
stated that, there is nothing wrong in praising apparitions and that he was well aware of
the love of the people for the Blessed Mother adding, The Blessed Mother has [protected] the
country from calamities.
And what of Teresita Teresing Castillo? It has been reported that Archbishop Arguelles has
given his permission for her to speak about the events of 1948. However, it seems that she is
keeping a low profile and declining to be interviewed. Though still the same quiet humble soul
she was all those years ago, she is no doubt delighted to have been vindicated after so many long
years. But one would suspect that it is not her own vindication that is the cause of her greatest
satisfaction. Rather, we can be sure that she is more thankful for the posthumous vindication of
her prioress, Mother Cecilia Zialcita, who, because of her unwavering love, confidence and
support of Teresita, paid the great price of being banished from Lipa Carmel and given the status
of a scullery maid. We can be certain that Teresita is thankful for the vindication of Bishop
Alfredo Verzosa, who was falsely denounced, stripped of all his duties and effectively exiled.
And Bishop Alfredo Obviar, who has now been lifted up before the Causes of Saints, and who
has already passed the first requirement for canonization. But the greatest vindication, and that
which will bring Teresita by far the greatest consolation, is the vindication of the vitally
necessary devotion to Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace.

Lipa; the Fatima connection

It is often said that the Marian Age, which continues to this day, began with the revelation to St.
Catherine Laboure of the Miraculous Medal at the Rue de Bac in Paris in 1830. While the
apparitions of Our Blessed Lady to Juan Diego at Guadalupe, Mexico in 1531 stand well outside
this time frame, Guadalupe is as much, if not more for our times as it was for the times in which
it occurred. Authentic, approved Marian apparitions, though numerous and often quite distinct in
character, all point to the most stupendous of them all, and that is Fatima. Whatever can be found
in any other approved Marian apparition can be found in the message of Fatima.
The connection between Lipa and Fatima goes well beyond mere accidental similarities such as
the spinning, pulsating sun, and showers of miraculous rose petals. We are all familiar with the
promise of Fatima that; In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph, Russia will be
converted, and a period of peace will be given to the world. The key to understanding the
message of Lipa in the light of the Fatima apparitions is that, at Lipa, Our Blessed Lady came as
the Mediatrix of All Grace. The belief in Marys universal mediation of grace is as old as the
Church itself; it is contained within the deposit of faith. However, it has not as yet been given
dogmatic definition.
There is a most beautiful description of the Coronation of our Blessed Lady contained in The
Mystical City of God, as narrated to Ven. Mary of Agreda by the Blessed Virgin herself, in which
is described the solemn pronouncement by which Mary is made the depositary of all heavens
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graces, to distribute according to her pleasure. We read; You shall be the Friend, the Defender
and the Chieftainess of all the just and of our friends. All of them you shall comfort, console
and fill with blessings according to their devotion to you. In view of this we make you the
Depositary of Our riches, the Treasurer of Our goods; We place into your hands the helps and
blessings of Our grace for distribution. Nothing do We wish to give to the world which does
not pass through your hands; and nothing do We deny which you wish to concede to men.
Grace shall be diffused on your lips for obtaining everything which you wish in heaven and
on earth, and everywhere shall angels and men obey you, because whatever is Ours shall be
yours, just as you have always been Ours. And you shall reign with Us forever. (The Mystical
City of God, Book 8; Ch. VIII).
There have been many great saints, among then St. Alphonsus Liguori and St. Louis de Montfort,
who have believed that the longed-for era of peace would not be given to the world until the
Church formally proclaims Mary as Mediatrix of All Graces, Co-redemptrix and Advocate. This
was also the view of the great Belgian Cardinal Mercier who strove tirelessly to bring devotion
to the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary and her role as Mediatrix and Co-redemptrix to
far greater prominence in the Church. Cardinal Mercier, in a letter to Fr. Francis Xavier Godts,
stated that, I have always been convinced that genuine peace will only pour out on the world
when the universal Church conducts an act of homage in Marys honour. And what act of
homage could be more acceptable to her, and for us more beneficial than this unshakable
belief that in all things, and for all things, we depend equally on Mary the Mother of Jesus,
and on Jesus the Son of Mary.
The key to the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart and the promised Era of Peace is the formal
definition of the fifth and final Marian dogma that she is Mediatrix of all Graces, Coredemptrix and our Advocate with her Divine Son. The other four Marian dogmas, the
Immaculate Conception, the Virgin Birth, Marys perpetual virginity and her Assumption into
heaven were all conferred upon her by a singular privilege. The title of Mediatrix of All Grace,
Mary has earned for herself. This she did by virtue of her total, perfect submission to the Divine
Will, from the very moment of her conception up until the very last breath she drew on earth.
Her entire existence was one of unknowable suffering and sorrow. Mary maximally participated
in the redemptive passion and Death of her Divine Son, for love of God and for our salvation.
The Father is now demanding that the world recognize this, if we are ever to know true peace, it
must first be recognized by the Church, and embraced by the faithful. Our Lady came at Lipa as
the Mediatrix of All Grace. We are being challenged to examine how she came to possess this
title. We are being asked to come to know her as the Mother of Sorrows, and in so doing, to
embrace our Heavenly Mothers sorrows as though they were our own. In so doing, we joyfully
consecrate ourselves to her Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, we give ourselves to her
unreservedly as her instruments, by means of which her Divine Son will establish His reign on
earth. Our Blessed Lady came to Fatima in 1917 to tell us this. In 1948, she came to Lipa to

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remind us. Let us hope that we never need to be reminded again. Because the next

reminder may not be so pleasant.

Stewart Davies December 2009

The Trials of Sr. Teresita Castillo

"Meditate on this and see how much the Mother and Son worked and suffered together to save
the world."
-Message of BVM to Sr. Teresita Castillo, 18 Sep. 1948, on the meeting at Calvary
Among the many mystical experiences attributed to Sr. Teresita Castillo during her days at Lipa
Carmel, few stand out as much as her reported encounters with the Evil One, in holy ground, no
less. But there are others, positive ones, as well.
On her first few nights at the convent, Teresita was said to have been visited by the devil himself.
She described him as being enveloped in a foul odor, of short stature (5'5), and having the most
repugnant face wreathed in flame. The devil, she said, would often tempt her to leave the holy
place, citing the grievances and great pains she had caused her family by her 'disobedience.'
Teresita narrates that, on one occasion, the devil finally revealed himself to her. It was a terrible
sight, the culminating note in a series of diabolical encounters. She describes how the devil
would often mock her and strip her of her clothing; her bed would shake, and her arms would be
covered with welts for days at a time. She attributes this to the times the devil would take the
discipline from her bedside table and beat her furiously with it. Follows a brief narration of
Teresita's final encounter with the Adversary, two days after the Feast of the Immaculate Heart.
She had fled to a stairway leading to the prioress' cell when the attack happened.
"I felt that somebody grabbed my hands but I couldn't see anybody. And I said, "Natatalo na ako!"
["I'm losing!"] So I was holding on to the rails, trying to fight for myself, really. I wanted to go
up. Fortunately, Mother Cecilia [ the prioress ] was out of her office... And so she saw me, so she
went to me and tried to help me, and afterwards she told me that parang [ it was as if ]
somebody is also pulling me downstairs whereas Mother Cecilia was pulling me upstairs. So I
thought my body would be in halves already!"

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Mother Cecilia also reports that she heard Teresita scream at one point in the struggle, "I have
no eyes to see your indecencies!" Reportedly, the Devil had been insulting Sr. Teresita's mother,
the Prioress, as well as screaming obscenities about the Bishop. The attack lasted all through the
night, only ending at the sound of the community bell, at roughly a quarter before five in the
morning. It was then that the prioress had discovered that Teresita had become mysteriously
blind. The bond that developed between Mother Cecilia and Sr. Teresita was forged in the
crucible of mystical experience. In one of her first appearances to Teresita, the Virgin asked her
to wash the prioress' feet in a basin and to drink the water after. Many who doubted the veracity
of the events of Lipa (and sadly, even some in Carmel!) maliciously cited this incident as proof
of a lesbian relationship between the two. We must recall, however, that at Lourdes, the Blessed
Virgin also asked Bernadette Soubirous to eat a little grass and to drink of muddy water three
times. These are odious to our sensibilities because of our great pride. Thus Teresita's actions
were a sign of profound humility, to the great frustration of the Evil One.
Unbeknownst to Sr. Teresita, Mother Cecilia herself had been receiving locutions from the
Virgin. She was told by the Virgin that Teresita's eyesight would be restored on 7th September,
the eve of Our Lady's Nativity. When that day had come, Bishop Alfredo Obviar, the auxiliary of
Lipa, visited Carmel, and was told of Teresita's condition. Teresita herself felt the sign of the
cross being made on her eyes, and immediately after that, began to see again. But it was not the
signum crucis, but the kiss of the Mother Prioress.
Sr. Teresita, however, would also suffer another mystical phenomenon, although much later,
when the apparitions of Our Lady were already taking place. She was said to have had 'visions
of the Sacred Heart, of a multitude of angels and saints, of St. Cecilia and St. Therese of Lisieux
in particular, and of a Lady with whom she took long walks in a lovely garden full of birds and
flowers.' But perhaps most mysteriously of all, Sr. Teresita was also seen to lose consciousness,
'and then to silently re-enact, while lying on the floor, the agony of Christ on the Cross-- a
phenomenon witnessed by the Prioress, Bishop Obviar, and the rest of the community.' The
Lady had warned her that she would suffer much, and suffer Teresita did. Today, five decades
after leaving Carmel, she remains obedient to the command of the Church to remain silent on
the apparitions, but that may soon change, as the case of Lipa has been re-opened. Perhaps, that
was the greatest suffering she could bear, to keep the message of Our Lady to herself.

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The Image of Our Lady

(Based on the book, The Wonders of Lipa by Dr. Francisco Villanueva)
On Friday, November 26, 1948, my brother Maj. Jose C. Villanueva and I went to visit the shop
of the Visayan sculptor, Irineo Cristobal, a native of Banga Capiz, located at No. 431 Evangelista
St. Quiapo Manila, who made the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace, now venerated
by the faithful in the Chapel of the Monastery of the Carmelites Sisters of Lipa, Batangas.
How did you happen to make the statue? I inquired from Irineo Cristobal. Cristobal replied:
Monsignor Alfredo Obviar, Auxiliary Bishop of Lipa, accompanied by three outside Carmelite
Sisters came once during the month of September, 1948, to my workshop in Manila and ordered
me to make the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace in accordance with the
description contained in a piece of paper written in pencil by Sister Teresita Castillo. Then
demonstrated to me a piece of paper which read as follows:
Face not too round, not perfect oval, smiling with gay eyes looking forward. Fair complexion,
dark eyes, small mouth, beautiful nose, black hair, coming out of her white veil of her forehead.
Hands extended in an attitude of writing, rosary on her right hand hanging. Feet bare stepping on
a clouds. Body not thin, not stout Dress all white reaching to the feet; round neck, double
sleeves, one tight (under) the other wider, narrow white belt, white long veil reaching the feet. It
falls graciously on her shoulders, more open than the veil of Our Lady of Fatima.
Immediately the sculptor Cristobal stated to do the work which lasted several days. After the
work was finished, Cristobal took the statue to the Carmelite Convent and delivered it to the
Mother Prioress, Mother Mary Cecilia Zialcita.
After a few days the statue was returned to Cristobal together with a letter of the Mother
Prioress, asking for some corrections to be made on it. Copy of the letter of the Mother Prioress,
originally written in longhand and ink, read thus:

Carmelite Monastery
City of Lipa
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October 18, 1948

Pax Cristi! Dear Mr. Cristobal:
May Carmels Queen and Mother ever bless you!
We are returning the statue of Our Blessed Mother, begging you to make the following
corrections:
1.The mouth the corners are too curved upward. The upper lip is too swollen; the lower lip is
too thin ( we use watercolor to improve it) Please make it a little more smiling.
2.The left hand; raise a little high as the right hand. The middle finger is broken.
3.The belt reduce to one half inch width. More gatherings in the dress on the breast..
4.The eyes darker, blackish. The dress whiter. Please remark the cracks on the clouds and the
right side of the mantle near the hair.
All the rest is well. We shall pray much, Mr. Cristobal that you may make her beautiful. Many
thanks in advance.
With Prayers and Gratitude in Corde Jesus.
Sr. Mary Cecillia de Jesus OCD Prioress

The retouching of the statue lasted two days. So according to the sculptor the whole work lasted
22 days. As it stands now, explains the sculptor, The statue represents the image of the
Blessed Virgin Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace, as described by Sister Teresita Castillo when she
appeared before her. The most important changes were the length of the ribbons and other minor
details. The statue made the image without the rosary, which was later provided by the Mother
Prioress, when the image reached the monastery in Lipa.
Irineo Cristobal is the same sculptor who made the other statues in several churches and
convents of Lipa and Manila.
Cristobal is a very devout Catholic, and he believes in the authenticity and the veracity of the
Divine Apparitions and in the Miracle of the rose petals.
He told us that he made the statue without any model. The statue of the Blessed Virgin was
placed in an open truck and taken to Lipa by Maximo Mendoza. It is said that at the time there
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was rain, but, whenever the statue passed, the rain stopped. So that the dress of the Blessed
Virgin could not become wet before arriving at Lipa.

Taken from: facebook

MACROHON, SOUTHERN LEYTE , "Lihok pa, abante pa!"
May 3 at 10:58pm Edited

A phenomenon is happening in ICHON, Macrohon , Southern Leyte

"Poor MARY , her heart is broken . . . "
A weeping statue of MARY MEDIATRIX OF ALL GRACE was claimed to be shedding tears.
This event was reported by some children during the traditional Flores De Mayo, and eventually
attracted more people to witness.
What is the message of this weeping incident ?
PRAY . PRAY . PRAY.

Our
Lady, Mary Mediatrix of all Grace wept last May 3, 2015. It was discovered by bunch of kids
past 3:00pm who were celebrating their Flores de Mayo (Flowers of Mary). That same day is
also the feast day of Santa Cruz, in Honor of our Holy Cross.
This beautiful life-size statue of Our Lady is located in Mary Mediatrix Ichon , Macrohon,
Southern Leyte, Philippines.
Made of Fiberglass and enclosed with glass.
he alleged weeping image of Mama Mary Mediatrix in the parish church named after Her in
Ichon (Macrohon), Southern Leyte
The alleged weeping of the Virgin's image occurred today. Sunday - May 3, 2015 and was
witnessed by a group of children celebrating "Flores de Mayo". They reported the phenomenon
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to their parish priest. The statue of Our Lady may still be weeping. We will investigate this
phenomenon and will keep everyone posted with new developments.
An image of Our Lady, Mary Mediatrix of All Grace allegedly wept and may still be weeping in
the parish church named after Her in Ichon (Macrohon), Southern Leyte earlier today, Sunday May 3, 2015. A group of children celebrating "Flores de Mayo / Flores de Maria" witnessed the
supposed weeping and reported the phenomenon to the pastor of the parish church.

My Explaination:
The First Weeping Statue was Our Lady of Akita, Japan
n 1973, the Blessed Virgin Mary gave Sister Agnes Katsuko Sasagawa in Akita, Japan three
messages through a statute of Mary. Bathed in a brilliant light, the statute became alive and
spoke with a voice of indescribable beauty. Her Guardian Angel also appeared and taught her to
pray. The wooden statute from which the voice came wept 101 times over a course of several
years. It also perspired abundantly and the perspiration sent out a sweet perfume. Its right palm
bled from a wound having the form of a cross. Hundreds of people witnessed many of these
events. Scientific analysis of blood and tears from the statute provided by Professor Sagisaka of
the faculty of Legal Medicine of the University of Akita confirmed that the blood, tears, and
perspiration are real human tears, sweat, and blood. They come from three blood groups: O, B,
and AB. Sister Agnes also has stigmata on the right palm. A Korean woman with terminal brain
cancer received immediate healing while praying before the statute in 1981. The miracle was
confirmed by Dr. Tong-Woo-Kim of the St. Paul Hospital in Seoul and Fr. Theisen, President of
the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Seoul. The second miracle was the complete
cure of total deafness of Sister Agnes.
April, 1984 - Most Rev. John Shojiro Ito, Bishop of Niigata, Japan, after years of extensive
investigation, declares the events of Akita, Japan, to be of supernatural origin, and authorises
throughout the entire diocese the veneration of the Holy Mother of Akita. He said: "The message
of Akita is the message of Fatima."
June, 1988 - Vatican City - Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Prefect, Congregation for the Doctrine of
the Faith, gives definitive judgement on the Akita events and messages as reliable and worthy of
belief.

Then Our Lady Mediatrix in Leyte

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Question: It is Real Miracle?

Answer: Yes, Maybe, No

The Petals

Amelia
V.
VelasquezWitness

Newspaper Accounts of the Incident

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Amelia Velasquez Was in the Sacrament Chapel and there was a image of Mary Mediatrix. And
saw the Petals Falling from her hand

Message of mama Mary to sister Teresing Castillo

October 2, 1991
Iam entrusting to you my message today for the youth of this present generation. Little one, and
the message is the following:
I your mother, would wish so much to make realize the important role you will take in achieving
peace throughout the world. This is the time when entire world dreams of a world of love and
peace, of justice and dignity for all, dreams built on faith, hope, and charity but never dreams of
anger, violence and vengeance,
My dear children, the world today needs young men and women on which the world could
depend on for a better future for the church, for humanity and for the world who for so long are
hoping for peace, GOD is calling you now to be his young disciples to the people your age. You
have a very unique apostolate to do.
"Let me tell you as a MOTHER, that to be an apostle is never easy, this kind of call is not meant
for cowards, but for brave souls who trust in my Son strength and power.help fight poverty,
oppresion, injustice and greed by bringing christ, my Son, to the hearts of those who know
nothing or little about the goodness of GOD help fight bloodshed, abortion, by making them
aware of the value of life, help fight graft and corruption by campaigning for those whom GOD
expects to have a consience according to his standard, and not acording to the standard of men
these will not be easy, dear children, but do remember that houses are built by stone and when
the last stone wil be in its place, it is only then that the house as a dream come true,
"Let not fear over power you for I YOUR MOTHER and mother of mankind, assure you of my
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motherly support in your mission as young disciples of my Son jesus he too will always be with
you, I bless you all

FEBRUARY 6,1993 (9:00 A.M.)

I come today, this beutiful day. To make me known to all that the enemies are in for corners of
the world, they are among the holy and evil, among christians and non christians, catholic and
non catholics. GODS people should know that the world is in state of spirtual confusion, a
confusion beetween the powerful and the oppressed, beetween the rich and the poor ,Pray that
justice reign in the hearts of all men.
I weep for the unborn children who have to rights to live, but are deprived of the happiness in
this world and the other life. ABORTION IS THE 0NLY CRIME WHICH CAUSES SO MUCH
TEARS, SO MUCH PAIN; NO OTHER CRIME HAS EVER GRIEVED MY SON AND ME,
YOUR MOTHER, the same way, parents and abortionist this is a very serious warning from
GOD who is the giver of life, these little souls do not ask to be born, then why punish them by
making their life unlawfully. You will be directly responsible for this serious crime, unless you
repent and make reparations for this, your soul will be lost.
My dear children I appeal to you now-go out from your shelterd lives and witness the effects of
your indifference and laziness, you tend to be blind so as not to see what you should see, and to
be deaf so as not to hear what you should hear, pray,pray much and help suppress the mounting
number of abortions ....
Thank GOD for your life and for the day you were born, in gratitude for this gif of life, give him
something that is part of you, which no one can buy because it will be enclosed in his heart,
When the situations look hopeless, keep hoping and pray when everything looks imposible,
refuse defeat and pray, I will not abandon you my dear children ,,,,,,,,,remain little simple,
humble and my motherly mantle will protect all, all of you make me happy today, I love and
bless you all,
March 19, 1993 (2:00 p.m.)
My dear children,
Let me tell you that when I gave jesus to the world in bethlehem and calvary, something
interferred and they are your sins, you should by now be consious that the role you take is that of
a sinner, beg forgiveness now for changing bethlehem to calvary and ask the grace of never
crucifying him again, nor to pierce the seven swords again in to my heart, your beloved mother, "
December 15, 1992 (4:30 a.m.)
"My dear little one, I come with all humility to assist you to find the way which lead you closer
to my Son, you nid him just as he needs you. Need his love just he needs yours, you need his
bleeding heart just as he need yours wherein he could rest his, you need him because he is the
way the truth and the life just as he needs you to believed him thus, you need him examples as a
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true patient redeemer who suffered for your salvation, just as he need yours for others see that
they too need to be saved, you cannot do without him, this is the reason why in obediance to the
father who is king of the universe, I come down to the earth to bring the message of salvation, "
MARCH 24,1994 (4:00 A.M.)
"Little One, calamities throughout the world is not the end, but it is awakening to the bitter truth
of what is coming, " I have said on my other apparitions that if people will not change, I forced
to let go the hand of my Son, I repeat what I told for the people to know the wrath of GOD is still
held my pleading hands ,for how long then will I keep begging you to change your life, AS A
MOTHER, I TOO, SUFFER MUCH WHEN I SEE MY SON ABONDONED BY
UNGRATEFUL SOULS, unless you do penance, you shall all perish is a strong message of mine
in la sallete.
Do you not want to go to heaven to
eternal happiness? This is the
is the reason why I humble united
every painful minute with my only
suffering soul, all for intentions of

live with us and enjoy

message of calvary. This
my heart with his and live
son, and offered my own
his Divine Heart

DECEMBER 22,1996 (10:00

.A.M)

"Iam sad becouse my message

coming from heaven are
unheeded by many througout the
world. This is the time to
work hard to save souls,
many,many souls through
prayers and sacrifice, dear children
of God, please repent, the
whole world is getting worse and
worse, THE MALICE OF
SIN CONTINUES EVERYDAY ;
THE CHOSEN FEW OF
MY SON CONTINUE TO SEEK
MONEY RATHER
THAN TO SEEK SOULS TO
SAVE, my children,
please pray the rosary regularly with devotion and love of my son, so that by repeating and
repeating mysteris the whole world will know the life of jesus, a closer union with my son will
help improve and save the world. Please believe the message entrusted to me before it's to late,
please believe that my son loves you so much, but this love remains unreturned, I call on the
world to repent, pray hard and to do penance, try to get closer to him through the knowledge of
how great his love is for men. I bless the world with my love as a mother who suffered so much
for your redemption. "

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Fr. Nestino Alerta

Fr Nesty had a testimony last August 21, 2014. When he said that he had seen a short apparition
of Our Lady, Mary Mediatrix of All Grace lasting for about 3 minutes between 4:30 - 5:00pm.
As he describes that the Blessed Virgin was in a side-view position looking at the people who
didn't joined the procession in Her honor.

Here are some Connections / Similarities of Lipa apparitions to those at Fatima...

Mama Mary Mediatrix said on November 12, 1948 "What I ask here is the same I asked
at Fatima."
***
Our Lady at Fatima asked for the consecration of Russia .. the rose petals from the Lipa
showers were of a Russian specie ...
***
The Fatima Children received Holy Communion from the Angel of Peace..Sr. Teresing
received Communion from an angel when she was sick and unable to attend Mass.
***
Our Lady at Fatima asked for the First Saturday devotions, praying of the rosary...for the
conversion of sinners...for priests and nuns...devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and
her Immaculate Heart...importance of accepting and offering of one's sufferings...
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***
Rose petals also fell at Fatima on the fifth apparition but vanished before reaching the
ground...Lipa petal showers have remained intact for over 50 years...
***
Visionaries and those supporting the visions of both Fatima and Lipa were ridiculed,
humiliated and suffered much from the events...
***
The sun also "danced" at Lipa as it did in Ftima ...
***
Mama Mary at Lipa was on a cloud at a vine (this plant still alive) ...Mama Mary at
Ftima also seen on a cloud atop an Holm Oak Tree (now gone) ...

The Angels Visit to Teresita

Around this time (in 1948), the angels were also said to have visited
Teresing in her cell. It was recounted by Sr. Clotilde that Mother Cecilia
said one time, "Teresita is playing with the angel, jack n' poy." And at
another time, said that the angel stayed on Sr. Teresing's lap - who gathered
clouds which resembled pieces of cotton, disappearing slowly.
Sr. Clotilde also relayed the time when Sr. Teresing was sick in bed and
unable to hear Mass. Mother Cecilia went up to her cell, Sr. Teresing said
that an angel brought her Communion. This was seen by Mother Cecilia
when Sr. Teresing opened her mouth
Our Blessed Mother Mediatrix Weeps

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Photos
News
Affairs

Courtesy: GMA
and Public

News

Spread that an
Image
of Mary

Mediatrix Sheds tears of blood then Oil shed from the Head and Hands
This Image was Owned by Elinor Cueva, who One Day in March 2012
Was her Fathers Birthday according to Elinor they went to the Pabasa at
around 6 in the evening she found that her fiber-glass made Mary
Mediatrix Sheds Tears of Blood

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On May 17, 2015, The GMA 7 Award winning Magazine show Kapuso
Mo, Jessica Soho (One Heart Jessica Soho) produced a special that about
the Miracle of the Weeping Statue of Mary Mediatrix in Leyte

Vindicated, novice of Lipa apparitions keeps low profile

By Marrah Erika Lesaba, June Keithley,Philippine Daily Inquirer 22 November
2009
MANILA, Philippines--Teresita Castillo, to whom the Virgin Mary reportedly
appeared in 1948 then Castillo was a young Carmelite novice, has been declining
interview requests following the lifting of the Church ban against the public
veneration of the image of Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Grace, a devotion that
stemmed from the apparitions.
She [Castillo] has decided to maintain a low profile. We have to respect her
[wishes], said Fr. Richard Hernandez, the chair of the new commission created
by the Church to reopen the investigation into the apparitions in Lipa.
Hernandez said he was able to interview Castillo, or Teresing as he refers to her,
last Thursday.
He said Castillo was so happy and excited when told about the lifting of the ban
that he had to calm her down.
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Though she underwent so many hardships during the series of investigations

into the veracity of the apparitions, Castillo has remained humble, he said.
She never complained or even asked why she was being questioned,
Hernandez said.
He said Castillo, who is now 82 years old, cannot recall the dates when the Virgin
Mary appeared to her but she can clearly state the message that the Blessed
Mother wanted her to give the world.
In 1948, the Virgin Mary reportedly appeared 19 times to Castillo, who was a
postulant at the Carmelite convent in Lipa, Batangas. Rose petals with holy
images reportedly fell from the sky. In the last of her appearances to Castillo, the
Blessed Virgin is said to have identified herself, saying I am the Mediatrix of All
Grace.
The bishop of Lipa at the time, Alfred Verzosa, believed in the apparitions and
allowed the veneration of the image of Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Grace.
No miracle
In 1951, however, the Church hierarchy declared that there was no supernatural
intervention in the reported extraordinary happenings, including the shower of
rose petals in Lipa.
Verzosas successor, Rufino Santos, ordered that no petals be given to anyone
by the Lipa Carmelite community and the statue of Our Lady of Mediatrix be
withdrawn from public view.
The ban was lifted 40 years later by Archbishop Mariano Gaviola in 1991.
On Nov. 12, Gaviolas successor, Archbishop Ramon Arguelles issued a formal
decree lifting the 1951 ban. Arguelles also created the commission, headed by
Hernandez, to conduct a new investigation into the apparitions.
Arguelles said he was merely reiterating Gaviolas 1991 order and was doing so
because he saw nothing wrong in praising the image of the Blessed Mother and
that he knew the love of the people for her.
He noted that despite the ban, the faithful have continued to go on pilgrimages to
the Carmel monastery in Lipa to pray and ask for favors from the Blessed Mother.
He said the commission will evaluate the documents still available on the events
of 1948 to advise the Church leadership on the proper pastoral approach to the
continuing pilgrimage of people to the site of the apparitions.

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International interest
The news that Arguelles had ordered a new investigation and lifted the ban on the
public veneration of the Mediatrix has created interest not just in the local
community of devotees but internationally as well.
The Spiritdaily.com website carried links to two articles published in Inquirer.net
as well as its own well-researched articles from its archives.
Little wonder as the events of 1948 were headlined in national newspapers and
reported internationally. Lipa was referred to as the Lourdes of Asia and
Philippine Airlines flew special flights to fly pilgrims to Lipa.
A special pilgrim image of the miraculous Mediatrix was made and brought to
New York and Madrid. More than 3,000 took part in the procession that was later
held on New Yorks Second Avenue.
Those were heady days indeed. Even former President Elpidio Quirino attended a
Mass in Lipa in 1949 and joined the vast crowds in hopes of witnessing a petal
shower. Thousands would line up for the water in which the petals had been
immersed and miraculous healings and conversions were reported and
documented.
The original statue of Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Grace, was commissioned from
the sculptor Cristobal, in accordance with the instructions that Castillo had
received from the Virgin Mary: I want a statue of myself to be made so that my
little ones can see me. Describe me to your chaplain because I want my statue to
look as you see me, and to be as large as that of Our Lady of Lourdes which
stands inside the cloister.
I ask this from Carmel, I wish that my image be placed here. This place must be
cleaned so that it may become a shrine for prayer.
When the image was finished and revealed for public veneration, many unusual
occurrences and miraculous events were attributed to it. The fragrance of the
amazing shower of petals that occurred from time to time on the grounds outside
the convent would fill the air for blocks and draw thousands of devotees and
curiosity seekers.
Harrowing events
A message that the Virgin Mary had given in 1948 seems to foretell the harrowing
events that were to come: Do not block or debase my sacred place nor despise
my words.
Along with the ban it issued in 1951, the Church hierarchy instructed the
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Carmelites to destroy everything. The nuns obeyed and burned the diaries, petals
and prayer cards, but could not bear to smash the image of the Mediatrix, so they
bundled it up in rags and jute and hid it among the debris in a bodega.
It would be hidden for the next 40 years until Gaviola gave permission for the
statue to be temporarily displayed in 1991. The archbishop soon issued the
decree that the image be restored to public veneration and installed in the side
chapel of the convent church where it remains to this day.
Blighted lives
Apart from the many miraculous healings and conversions that were ignored and
the cruel rumors that the apparitions were a hoax foisted on the public by the
nuns to raise money to build a church, there are the heroic actions and blighted
lives of the main protagonists that are intrinsic to the apparitions.
Auxiliary Bishop Alfredo Obviar, the spiritual director of Carmel Lipa, was
unceremoniously removed and remained in limbo until he was demoted and reappointed to the diocese of Lucena.
Obviar founded the congregation of the Missionary Catechists of St. Therese and
in acknowledgment of his great virtue, he has been lifted up to the Causes of the
Saints and has officially passed the first step in the process toward sainthood.
His tomb and museum in Lucena is the site of many pilgrimages and a number of
miracles have been attributed to his intercession.
Verzosa, who allowed the apparitions to be publicized and for the Mediatrix to be
venerated, was stripped of all his administrative duties, remaining a bishop in
name only.
Though he had used his familys wealth to rebuild the churches and schools of
war-torn Lipa, he was falsely accused of mishandling the war reparations and
finances of the diocese. He lived in exile at his Vigan home, reduced to rolling
tobacco leaves to augment the family income.
The prioress of Carmel, Mother Cecilia Zialcita, was transferred to another
convent and treated like a scullery maid. She is said to have prophesied that at
her death, the events of the Lipa apparitions would again be reopened and
devotion to the Mediatrix restored.
Castillo has survived all the denunciations and humiliations to which she was
subjected. The stress from the investigation resulted in her long illness, requiring
her to live at the University of Santo Tomas hospital for long periods of time. She
eventually had to voluntarily leave the convent as she failed to complete the
required length of stay for a novice.
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Discreet silence
She worked at the Redemptorist Church in Baclaran and assisted Fr. Leo English
with the publication of the now widely used Tagalog/English dictionaries. The
now grown baby girl she adopted often accompanies her mother on healing
missions.
She has since received a few other messages and experienced showers of petals
in her home and at the side chapel of Carmel Lipa, but has maintained a discreet
silence about it.
Gaviola and Arguelles have allowed Castillo to speak publicly about the
apparitions and there are also a number of accounts detailing the healing of some
people that she has prayed over. However, now that the new commission has
convened, she has thought it prudent to refrain from speaking or being too
publicly visible.
In her 80s, Castillo has been given the grace of living to see the malicious
tongues silenced and a resurgence of devotion to her beautiful lady.

Lipa bishop lifts ban on Our Lady

By Marrah Erika LesabaPhilippine Daily Inquirer 18 November 2009
BATANGAS CITY Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles confirmed that he had
lifted the 1951 ban on the public veneration of Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Grace.
In a phone interview Tuesday night, Arguelles said he lifted the ban on Nov. 12 as
there was nothing wrong in praising apparitions as he was well-aware of the
love of the people for the Blessed Mother.
The Blessed Mother has [protected] the country from calamities, he said.
In 1948, the Virgin Mary allegedly appeared 19 times to Teresita Castillo, a novice
in the Carmelite Order in Lipa City. Rose petals with holy images reportedly fell
from the sky. In her last apparition to Castillo, the Blessed Virgin identified
herself: I am the Mediatrix of All Grace.
Although the veneration of Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Grace was permitted by then
Bishop Alfred Verzosa, the Philippine church hierarchy declared in 1951 that
there was no supernatural intervention in the reported extraordinary happenings
including the shower of rose petals in Lipa, according to the website
www.marymediatrixofallgrace.com.
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Withdrawn from the public

The website www.miraclehunter.com chronicles the events following the church

decision: Bishop [Verzosa] and Mother Prioress were released of their jobs. The
nuns were ordered to destroy all materials connected with the apparitions. They
burned [Castillos] diary, as well as the Mother Prioress. The statue [of the Virgin
Mary] was also ordered destroyed, but the nuns saved it from destruction. The
convent was sealed, and the nuns could talk to no one outside of the convent.
Bishop Rufino Santos, who became apostolic administrator after Verzosa,
ordered that no petals be given to anyone by the Lipa Carmelite community and
the statue of Our Lady of Mediatrix be withdrawn from public view, the website
said.
Despite the passing of the years and the suppression, the Carmelite nuns of Lipa
as well as the Marian devotees who believe in the apparitions, remained hopeful
that one day, the case would be reopened and the apparitions declared authentic.
Many continued to believe and would go to the Carmelite monastery in Lipa to
pray especially in the 50s.
Image displayed again
In 1992, Archbishop Mariano Gaviola granted permission to once again display
the image of Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Grace. In 1993, he declared his personal
conviction that the Lipa apparitions were worthy of belief, according to
www.miraclehunter.com.
As the years went by, the ban seemed to have been disregarded as new proofs of
the apparitions authenticity were presented and accounts about the bishops
high-handed suppressiveness in 1948 were brought to light.
A repeat of the shower of rose petals is said to have occurred some years ago but
the Carmelite nuns kept a low profile. Some people have petals in their
possession.
In 2005, Arguelles resurrected the veneration for Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Grace
with increased activity and devotion and plans to place statues representing
the Virgin of Lipa, in every diocese, according to www.miraclehunter.com.
Official lifting of ban
When Arguelles declared the official lifting of the 1951 ban on Nov. 12, it was the
61st anniversary of the last of the series of apparitions to Castillo which occurred
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from September to November in 1948.

Arguelles stressed: My order on Nov. 12 was merely a relifting of Gaviolas
order.
He also said that last month, he went to Rome to ask permission to search the
archives for documents pertaining to the controversial apparitions but no such
documents were found.
The Lipa Archbishop said that at 3 p.m. every 12th day of the month, the rosary is
prayed by devotees from different towns in Batangas and from all over the
country.
Novena
The devotion to Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Grace is acknowledged in all parishes
in Laguna, said Fr. Romi Ponte, parish priest of San Gabriel in San Pablo City.
In our parish, we have a huge picture of the Vigin Mary to whom devotees offer
prayers and novenas, he told the Inquirer in a phone interview Tuesday night.
The veneration of Our Lady has been promoted all over the country for more than
a year now with a literature on the novena sold in Catholic bookstores, Ponte
said.
Every year, some 1,000 copies of the novena are sold at the Daughters of St. Paul
bookstore in SM Mall of Asia, the Inquirer learned.
The Catholic bookstore is in the process of replenishing its copies," Ponte said.

MESSAGES
Messages of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace when She appeared to Sr. Teresita Castillo
at Lipa Carmel
I Wish you All Consecrate yourselves to me on October 7, and be my Slaves
Message of September 25, 1948
I Love you, my little ones. And I will keep you safe under my mantle

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Message of September 23, 1948

Please pray for Priest and Nuns and help me by doing some penance for them. The
Sacred Heart of my Son bleeds anew for every Fallen Priest or Nun. To some, pride
was the obstacle to go back to the true fold and shame hardened some Heats.
Message of September 13, 1948
Come Frequently and visit me here in this placeMake this spot Sacred and
venerate it because I want this Monastery to be know as Our Ladys Carmel
Message of September 15, 1948
Pray hard for Chinas dream to invade the whole world. The Philippines is one of its
favorites.
Money is the evil force that will lead the people of the world to destruction.
Prayers, sacrifices, self-denials and the daily recitation of the Holy Rosary will soften
the heart of my Son as I said before.
SECRET MESSAGE on October 17, 1949
AFTER 60 YEARS
My Heart is weary, My little one and my eye, shed tears for the lost souls of my sons
and daughters consecrate to my son
Message of May 25, 1991
How Parents live their faith leaves an indelible impression on their children. It is
their example that they say constantly. It is their live that children want to emulate.
Message of March 25, 1991
Please Pray, please heed my messages, so that may souls will go back to my son.
This will make him very, very happy.
Message of October 25, 1993
Once Again, I Repeat to my beloved Philippines that I am the Mother of Love and
Tenderness. I come to save souls. I love the Filipinos because in all the countries
throughout the world, you come to me when you suffer, and ask for my help. Most of
Love me and have a great devotion to me, your Mother. You recognize me as the
Mother of Jesus. You defend this truth openly without fear of being ridiculed by
other sects who attack me greatly. So it is to you that I come to ask for Prayers. Do
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little sacrifices and receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. It is you that I ask to
say the Family Rosary Daily. I wish to remind you the Recitation of the rosary is not
only a Devotion which will bring closer to my son, but is also serves as an occasion to
offer the sacrifice of driving away Distractions while saying it. The Enemy of God is
always there where my children pray to me. This country is created by God for
something Great.
Message of March 25, 1994
Sometime in 1982, Mo. Aimee asked Mo. Cecilia about the truth of the Lipa apparitions ...Mo.
Cecilia replied that she would vouch for its authenticity and went on to ask for permission "to
die" in order to hasten the cause of Mama Mary Mediatrix. She was willing to offer her life
because she believed in its truth...then on December 13...she fell from the stairs...and died that
evening...

This is an entry from the book "Miracles of the Rose Petals" - Testimonies in the
aftermath of the alleged apparition of Our Lady Mary Mediatrix of All Grace, Lipa
Carmel
42. A Baby Survived
A ten month-old baby girl (Aya Espiritu) had already all the symptoms of A-fever.
Her parents are both doctors of Medicine, but since the family had so much faith in
Mama Mary, a petal from the 1991 rose showers was clipped to her dress.
Miraculously, Aya had no signs of A-fever and was diagnosed to be well.
Baby's name: Aya Espiritu
Parent's name: Dr. Joseph Espiritu and Dr. Malou Espiritu (No date posted)

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