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 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 21st 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 31st, 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 12th 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 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
believed…There 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. (See Miraculous Rose Petals
Here) 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 baby’s 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 girl’s 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 child’s
mother rebbued this water on the child’s 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 child’s 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 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 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 Church’s decision was released the
nuns were ordered to destroy all materials connected with the apparitions. They
burned Teresita’s diary as well as Mother Cecilia’s 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 community’s 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 Teresita’s 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 seer’s 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 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 Chuch’s 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 seer’s cell); September 12, 13,
14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, November 12.
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
4.
ibid p164
5.
ibid p157
(Taken from Peter Heintz A Guide to
Apparitions of Our Blessed Virgin Mary (Gabriel Press, Sacramento,
California 1995) p. 157-161
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.
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 daughter…I 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
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 strength…Be humble and simple because humility and
simplicity are the two virtues I love most”
Our Lady requested that a Mass be held on the 12th 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 believe…Do 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. Therse’s 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.