VIEWPOINTS

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BY ABP. OSCAR CRUZ
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Blessed Mother Mary, mediatrix of all graces

THE WELL-known and much publicized perceived miraculous phenomenon that apparently took place in Lipa – through the intervention of the well-known and revered Blessed Mother Mary, Mediatrix of all Graces – in 1948 has become the cause of discussion if not downright dissention particularly on the part of the Catholic devotees of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the above said title. They are far from happy and at peace. They would not just sit down and take things as if everything is alright, everything is in order.

Reason: They are in one way or another understandably much offended by and resentful of the official decision written down and made known to all those concerned by the competent Vatican Office that there was no such miraculous event in Lipa at that time under the patronage of the Blessed Mother. That there were certain apparent signs of a miracle, yes. But that there was actually a true and real miracle that then took place, no.

Result: The Catholic devotees convinced that the Lipa event was truly miraculous are much offended and resentful. It is understandable wherefore that they are earnestly seeking the reversal of the aforesaid negative appreciation of the Vatican Office concerned.

The truth of the matter is that as published by certain media outlets, even the highest incumbent Ecclesiastical Authority in the place – personally knowing and accordingly appreciating the same Lipa phenomenon – did not exactly agree with the pronouncement of the said Vatican Office. And understandably enough, he was affirmed by the Marian devotees concerned. So it is that the matter of the said Marian miraculous event has become an existential question not only in Lipa but in other places in the Country with the same devotion.

So it is that dated 9 July 2016, the Commission of the Doctrine of the Faith – counterpart of the Vatican Office concerned – of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines – issued its own “Pastoral Advisory” ending with the following pronouncement: “The belief in and private devotion to our Mother Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces is centuries old and should be fostered as a private devotion. But it must not be based on the alleged Lipa apparitions…”

In other words, the Marian devotees concerned have all the right and prerogative to continue with their opted devotion to Our Lady under the said title. But let them do this by virtue of their own personal option – not precisely because of a miraculous event said to be taken place in a Sisters’ Convent in Lipa.

It is exactly the same as in the case of the Nazarene of Quiapo, the Mother of Perpetual Help in Baclaran, the La Naval in Quezon City – and many other devotions. The competent Vatican Office has not issued any pronouncement at all on any miraculous feature of any of the said subjects of religious devotion. But their respective devotees are far from becoming less in fervor and in number just because no downright formal and official miracle has yet been officially attributed to any of them by the Vatican Office concerned.

Precisely, who knows if the Lipa devotees concerned fervently and avidly continue with their personal devotion to the Blessed Mother Mary, Mediatrix of all Graces, would eventually bring to fore the much desired and awaited miracle?!/PN
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