This just came in from our avid reader Jun. If you can remember, the hot topic this week over Catholic Communities all over the country, and perhaps all over the world, is the most talked about lifting of the ban of 1951 towards the 1948 Lipa Apparition. Jun was kind enough to send us the whole text of the official decree by Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles. here is the full text of the decree:

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DECREE OF THE NEW COMMISSION
TO INVESTIGATE THE 1948 LIPA APPARITION

In as much 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;

In as much as, in the year 1991, the Most Rev. Mariano G. Gaviola lifted the forty years ban;

In as much as, the faithful unceasingly came on pilgrimage to the Carmel of Lipa and have obtained favors from Mary Mediatrix of All Grace;

In as much as, there is need to deepen and spread the message and meaning of the visit of our Blessed Mother;

In as much 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 specially in the Archdiocese on the proper pastoral approach towards this ongoing pilgrimage to the Chapel of the Mediatrix of All Grace.

The members of the commission are therefore the following:

Chairman:

Fr. Richard A. Hernandez

Members:

1. Sr. Julie S. Micosa, MCSH, Superior General
2. Fr. Eric Joaquin V. Arada- Documentation and Archives
3. Dr. Irma C. Coronel-Psychologist and Researcher, DE LA SALLE TAFT
4. Dr. Nina M. Cadiz-Botanist and Researcher, UPLB
5. Dr. Leuvy M. Tandug- Statistician and Researcher, UPLB
6. Dr. Dolores de Leon – Clinical Psychologist and Researcher, UST
7. Hon. Mercedes Tuazon – RP Ambassador to Vatican

Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles, D.D.
Archbishop of Lipa

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To those who believe that the Virgin Mary visited the Philippine Islands in 1948, please pray the Rosary for the intention of the impartiality and objectivity of the said commission, for truth to finally come out and that in our lifetime, the Apparition may be approved by the Vatican.