The Petals of Lipa: True story of the Virgin Mary’s apparition in Lipa (Introduction)
By bluepanjeet on Oct 7, 2008 in Featured, Stella Maris
I was 11 years old when I first heard of a certain Miracle of the luminous silhouette image of the Blessed Virgin Mary atop a coconut tree somewhere in Granja in Lipa city. It was featured in a magazine show back then called Eye to Eye hosted by the late Inday Badiday. The show followed the developments of the said miracle and had interviewed many witnesses including a Born-again Christian kid who first saw the phenomenon. Few claimed it was a hoax, a projected image on the palm leaves. But what was totally inexplicable is that the image followed the sway and movements of the palm as if it was attached to it which directly contradicts the law of physics (?) and light amplification. For the record, not a single proof supported the claim that it was a projected light image.
A few years back, Lipa has always been very controversial, not for notoriety but for its explosion of miracles, documented and televised on national TV. Until Lipa became well known all over the world after June Keithley, one of the heroines of the EDSA revolution of 1986, made a TV documentary on IBC 13 concerning the different Vatican-approved apparitions of the Virgin Mary including that of the 1948 incident in Lipa Carmel. I saw the whole episodes. We were kids at that time and watching the episodes with the whole family, my mother recalled that when she was little, the apparition was already well known. She even remembered neighbor’s story reagrding the miracle.
1n 1994, while I was attending a Catholic seminar for young adults, an elder showed me an orginal petal from the apparition tucked inside his wallet. The petal was dry but the image of st. Joseph embedded on it was very clear and vivid as if someone has drawn the image on the petal’s veins. I asked him where he got those petals, and he told me that his grandparents who witnessed the shower of petals gave it to him. He also claimed that the petals were miraculous because it already healed various diseases of his friends and relatives. That was the time when I became intrigued and curious of the authenticity of the apparition.
I never knew that June Keithley published a book about the apparition until I visited the Carmel, but when I arrived at the convent for the first time (14 years ago), the serenity of the ambiance and calm breeze of the surrounding wind caught the lukewarmness of my dry and weary soul. Since then I became a regular devotee of the said Virgin Mary which called herself as the Mediatrix of all Grace. I never failed to pass by Lipa Carmel whenever I have trips and errands in Lipa. During my stay in the seminary, it was the Virgin of Lipa, the one on the side altar of the Chapel, who became my comfort in times of spiritual tribulations.
It is there in Lipa Carmel that I bought the book about the apparition and reading June Keithley’s narration of their report of the miracle, I was convinced that it was true (in my own subjective opinion) for the elements of an authentic apparition is present among the main protagonists and the evnts that unfolded 50 years ago. Yet, let alone the Magisterium decide the finality of the case now being re-investigated.
When I entered the seminary, I met my brilliant professor in language named Mrs. Elcie Rabago who happens to be the sister of then Military Archbishop Msgr. Ramon Arguelles and now Archbishop of the Diocese of Lipa. I was not aware then of her connection with the series of miracles and apparition in Lipa until one day, when she invited us to watch one of our movie review assignments in her house for our course, I realized that she was the mother of the three of the four kids who witnessed the statue of the virgin Mary on Carmel came to life, the very same year when June Keithley aired the documentary of the apparition. I was very familiar with that miracle because it was also featured in Eye to Eye of Inday Badiday.
This is maybe one of the reasons why Archbishop Arguelles promulgated the re-opening the case of Lipa in the Vatican and officially approving in the diocese the veracity of the Appariton, precisely because he has personal knowledge of the apparition and second, his nephews and niece witnessed a miracle connected to Lipa Carmel.
It was then that I believe in June Keithley’s words that in God, there is no such thing as coincidence.
And in celebration and honor of the 50th year of Mary’s visitation in the Philippines as Mary, Mediatrix of all Grace, and of course the Feast of our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, I decided to write in my own words what I have read on June Keithley’s book titled : Lipa. This is for those who doesn’t know the whole story of the Apparition and for those who continue to search the net for the book, which like me, found none.
I will narrate the story via significant chapters of what transpired in 1948 according to the narration of the author. I won’t use Verbatim from the book, in respect of course for the Author’s hardwork.
But before I write the first chapter of the story this coming days, let me first introduce you to the primary protagonists of the apparition. One of them is still alive, and the other is our former Bishop here in Quezon whose sanctity and powerful intercession is unquestionable, which brought his case to the Vatican to be numbered as one of the saints of the Catholic Church.
Teresing Castillo, (below) visionary of Lipa. Entered the Carmel Convent as a novice at the age of 21, but was plagued with so many obstacles including the opposition of her parents and brothers to her vocation as a contemplative nun.
Mother Mary Cecilia of Jesus, OCD, (below) the visionary’s confidante. Prioress or mother superior at the time of the Apparition, banished from Lipa by Church authorities and was reduced to a humble maid. She witnessed several miracles connected with the apparition together with the two bishops.
Monsignor Alfredo Versoza, (below) Bishop of Lipa at the time of the Apparition and was one of the main protagonistS of the event. Also exiled from Lipa after the Church brought down the verdict.
Monsignor Alfredo Obviar, (below) auxillary bishop of Lipa and chaplain of Lipa Carmel at the time of Apparition. Main witness of the veracity of the miracles of the shower of Petals. Exiled to the Diocese of Lucena after the verdict and established a congregation of nuns in honor of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, the saint known to many as the saint of rose petals. His cause for sainthood is in the Vatican after numerous miracles were attributed to him while praying at his tomb in MCST, Tayabas Quezon.
TO BE CONTINUED…
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15 Comment(s)
By brotherutoy on Oct 9, 2008 | Reply
kapatid,
may ka-lotek-an ang computer ko dito. sinasara ang window mo habang nagbabasa ako. what should I do?
kamusta na pala?
[Reply]
bluepanjeet reply on October 11th, 2008:
aba nabuhay ka hehe. sensya na at busy dami ko ikukuwento sayo.
huh? hmmm baka di compatible browser mo? ano gamit mo IE? mag firefox ka tol pag ayaw pa rin bili ka ng posporo, sindihan mo na PC mo haha joke lang
di ko lam kung ano cause baka di kaya ng pc mo ang load ng site ko.
By palab0y on Oct 11, 2008 | Reply
Gusto ko rin makita yung mga petals na yun. at gusto ko rin makakita ng miracles na gaya ng umuulan talaga ng rose petals.
nahuli ako ng entry na to. i will definitely look forward sa kasunod. nakita ko pati si Bishop Oviar na santo na… hehehe
happy blogging
palab0ys last blog post..Ang Paglisan ni Kikay
[Reply]
bluepanjeet reply on October 11th, 2008:
Palaboy, di pa santo si bishop, servant of God pa lang hehe
oo abangan mo madaming installment ito
bluepanjeets last blog post..Photos prove that reality of global warming is happening now
palab0y reply on October 13th, 2008:
nagulat ako sa anti spam word mo na “catherine” pangalan ng girl friend ko hehehe
nweis, servant pa lang ba, sori po, kailangan pa ng konting dasal siguro. o kaya kailangan pa nyamng maging mas mabuting servant sa langit para mapromote sya bilang santo.. aweeeh hehehe
san ka po ba nakadistino ngayon
palab0ys last blog post..Ano ko? Lamok?!
By Sidney on Oct 11, 2008 | Reply
That is an interesting story…
any reason why this happened in Lipa?
[Reply]
bluepanjeet reply on October 11th, 2008:
Hello sid, your back already?
I don’t know the particular reason behind bro, but the author cited a history of Lipa and that will somehow give us a hint why the heck the Lord choose Lipa.
I’ve live in Lipa for almost four years unknown to some of my friends, but I tell you, the city is so charged spiritually that when you are in Lipa, it is as if you are very near in heaven. I don’t know why my perception of Lipa is like that, maybe because everywhere you go, you would always see part and parcel of God’s grace among its residents and the place itself. Such rich in heritage, culture and spiritual background.
I have also been to Lipa carmel and the ambiance and feel when you are in front of the side nave where the statue of the Virgin Mary is displayed is so different. It always makes you want to cry in happiness. Maybe its just me. I dont know
bluepanjeets last blog post..Photos prove that reality of global warming is happening now
bluepanjeet reply on October 11th, 2008:
BTW, the petals you see in my post header image are the original petals from 1948 photographed by the commission investigating the cause and by the authors of the said book. Some of these petals are still existent and in the possession of the people in Lipa. What is interesting about these petals is its origin and nature… i will hold my horses first. I will write about it later in the chapter. You will be in for a big surprise how those petals got their way into the Philippines since the year was 1948… I assure you, you will have goosebumps.
By felmar fiel, svd on Oct 12, 2008 | Reply
when i was in Theology one, my term paper was about the church criteria in determining the authenticity of marian apparitions. one of the section na nilagay ko doon ay ang mga controversial apparitions. di ko na maalala ang iba, i remember lipa at ung garabandal.
with the case of lipa, mahirap kasi ang time na un noon. silence ang rule ng mga madre kaya then itinago pa si tersing noong bishop…
then ung ibang mga malalapit sa place ng apparition nagtinda ng mga fake na petals, isa ito sa mga dahilan kung bakit na-closed ito kasi nung dumating ang mga investigators, nakakuha ng mga petal samples na fake…
by the way, nakapunta na ako diyan sa bishop obviar center sa quezon. umeskapo lang ako noon to accompany the family of mr. rey langit to visit the tomb…hehe
felmar fiel, svds last blog post..FROM THE MISSIONS #2: FUNERALS IN NEW ZEALAND
[Reply]
By felmar fiel, svd on Oct 12, 2008 | Reply
nabasa ko ung book ni june keithley kasi may isang copy kami dito sa library kapatid. grabe, very detailed, you cant put it down pag naumpisahan mo ng basahin…
felmar fiel, svds last blog post..FROM THE MISSIONS #2: FUNERALS IN NEW ZEALAND
[Reply]
By Leap of Faith! on Oct 12, 2008 | Reply
Bluep, very interesting indeed. I vaguely remember my parents brought me somewhere in Batangas to witness, supposedly, an image of the Virgin Mary on top of a tree (or something like that). There were many people. I’m not sure if this is what you are mentioning about.
Anyway, I look forward to reading more on this topic.
Leap of Faith!s last blog post..The Breaking of the Bread
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By The Ca t on Oct 12, 2008 | Reply
i saw pictures of these petals several years ago. i know the images in the petals are authentic.
The Ca ts last blog post..It is all in the Team
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By piapot on Oct 15, 2008 | Reply
gusto ko yata ng umuulan na rose petals….
san kaya ako makakakita noon… hhmmmm….
ui panjeet! uuwi na dito sa bataan yung bespren kong semenarista! next year ioordain na xa!
piapots last blog post..The First Time I loved Forever
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By kotsengkuba on Oct 16, 2008 | Reply
parang ascendant ni maricel soriano si sister teresing
kotsengkubas last blog post..Halloween Trees?
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By kengkay on Oct 22, 2008 | Reply
alam ko to, bluepj — i have cousins in lipa but i only got to visit the place once kasi yung mga pinsan ko sa lipa mga iglesia ni kristo e. but i want to read that book, too.
kengkays last blog post..meron ka bang kinatatakutan?
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By chuva on Oct 23, 2008 | Reply
Hi Bluep~! Thanks for this post. I haven’t read the book by June Keithley and I have always been intriqued by the story.
My curiosity like yours was flamed by a rose petal given to me by someone who is traveling the US to propagate devotion to Mary, Mediatrix of all Grace. I was at a party when she came over to me for no apparent reason and told me that she felt she had to give this petal to me. Why me?
Hanggang ngayon, I am still holding on to the petal which was given to me. It has an image of a lady, perfectly embossed on the petal.
[Reply]
By piapot on Oct 27, 2008 | Reply
bluepanjeet!!!! wla lang…. di ka nagpopost… busy ka din? hehe godbless!!
piapots last blog post..Piapot Spotted! Demon on the Go!
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By Ishmael Ahab on Oct 29, 2008 | Reply
Astig ‘yan a. Sige babalikan ko ‘yang kwento mo sa next chapter. Gusto ko malaman kung ano talagang himala ang nangyari d’yan sa Lipa.
Ishmael Ahabs last blog post..Sorry Lord
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By jun on Oct 31, 2008 | Reply
I have no doubts about this apparition. Kasi consistent yung mga witnesses sa story nila kahit matanda na sila. I agrree with the writer na iba talaga yung feeling when you are in Carmel. Anyway merong bagong Parish that is now being constructed dedicated to Mary mediatrix malapit lang sa Carmel Lipa.
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By jun on Nov 9, 2008 | Reply
I like this site because it’s very informative. More power to you. You can also visit the website of Mary mediatrix of Lipa at http://www.marymediatrixofallgrace.com for more information about our lady. Thanks.
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