Places in the PH where miracles were believed to have occurred: Cebu's Simala Shrine

Miracles happen every day: in the sunrise, in the breath we take, even in simple acts of kindness.

For the Catholic faithful however, miracles can also manifest through divine or supernatural intervention, moments that deepen and bring their faith vividly to life. In Catholic teaching, miracles are understood as signs of God’s power meant to strengthen faith and draw people closer to Him.

As we endure long travels home, embark on rituals like Visita Iglesia, and turn our attention to prayer and reflection, we take a look at a number of places in the Philippines where miracles were said to have taken place.

While none of them have been authenticated by the Church, and some of them not disproven, all of them continue to draw devotees who come in hope, faith, and prayer.

“While not all reported miracles are officially authenticated, the devotion inspires and continues to lead people toward prayer, conversion, and deeper trust in God,” said Hansson Labisig, a Theology instructor at the University of Santo Tomas Institute of Religion.

And rather than focusing solely on verifying miracles, the theologian noted that it is “equally important” to recognize the pastoral and spiritual value of these places as living testimonies of faith, hope, and the Filipino people’s enduring relationship with God.

Cebu's Simala Shrine is a well-known Roman Catholic pilgrimage site housing the image of Our Lady of Lindogon, which many devotees believe to be miraculous. 

In a 2020 episode of “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” the Marian image drew widespread attention after witnesses claimed it had “wept blood.”

According to accounts, the alleged incident took place in early September 2020 and lasted until the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

Devotees reported seeing red, tear-like streaks flowing from the image’s eyes, prompting intense emotional reactions among those present. Some said they fell to their knees, crying and trembling, while others described panic inside the chapel as the markings reportedly faded the following day.

One of the witnesses, Police Staff Sergeant Ronnie Cui, said he personally saw the phenomenon and interpreted it as a sign amid the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Church workers and devotees noted that similar incidents were reported in 2012 and 2014, though earlier accounts described clear tears rather than blood-like fluid. 

Over the years, testimonies of answered prayers and alleged healings associated with the shrine have continued to circulate, further reinforcing devotion to Our Lady of Lindogon.

Fr. Joseph Tan, the Spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Cebu, clarified that the incident has not been declared miraculous and remains unverified.

“We caution them not to call it a miracle kasi wala tayong proof,” Tan explained.

“To declare something miraculous, kailangan ng maraming proseso. There has to be an official investigation. So as far as the Archbishop of Cebu is concerned, wala pang initiative ngayon tungkol diyan,” he said.

I n verifying reported miracles, Labisig said that the Catholic Church approaches it with “caution, discipline, and a deep sense of responsibility.”

“Before any declaration, prudence is given great consideration, and the Church follows a strict process for verifying the miracles that considers every possible aspect of the investigated miracles,” he explained.

Per Labisig, no event is immediately declared miraculous; instead, it undergoes a rigorous process grounded in prudence and thorough investigation.

Essential to this process are the norms set by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, particularly the “Norms for the Discernment of Alleged Supernatural Phenomena,” which provide a structured framework for evaluating apparitions and other extraordinary claims.

“These norms provide a structured framework that guides the Church’s discernment. In the process, the local ordinary (or the bishop of the diocese) has a primary responsibility of forming a commission of experts (theologians, psychologists, and other experts) to investigate the miracles,” the educator said.

“Once the commission completes the investigation, together with the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the bishop makes public the decision on the phenomenon,” he added.

These decisions range from Nihil obstat, indicating no obstacle to devotion despite no confirmation of supernatural origin, to Declaratio de non supernaturalitate, which definitively declares that the phenomenon is not of supernatural origin due to evidence of fabrication or error. 

Between these extremes are stages of rulings that allow cautious devotion, call for pastoral guidance, or warn against potential risks to the faithful.

A similarly meticulous process is followed in cases of miraculous healings, particularly those presented in the canonization of saints.

“When a miraculous healing is presented as evidence for a saint’s beatification or canonization, the process again begins at the local level,” Labisig explained.

“The diocesan bishop forms a commission of medical and theological experts to investigate the alleged miracle. The local commission collects medical records, interviews doctors and witnesses, and confirms that the cure was immediate, complete, and lasting, with no natural explanation or effective treatment,” he furthered. 

Once the local investigation is completed, the case is forwarded to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints for further evaluation. A panel composed of theological consultants, along with cardinals and bishops, carefully reviews the dossier to determine whether the reported miracle can be attributed to the intercession of the candidate and whether it fosters deeper prayer and acts of charity among the faithful.

“Only then does the Pope approve the miracle as part of the formal recognition of a saint or blessed and announced to the public.”

When evaluating claims of miracles, the Catholic Church exercises great caution, undertaking a thorough and meticulous investigation to rule out any possible natural explanations. 

This careful process ensures that any alleged miraculous event is not only scientifically and theologically sound, but also leads the faithful toward a deeper relationship with God, strengthening prayer, faith, and spiritual devotion.

“This shows that the Catholic Church does not simply reject personal experiences of healing or visions, but neither does she accept them blindly; rather, she approaches them with careful discernment and responsible investigation to ensure and guide the faith towards God,” Labisig said. — LA, GMA News