Devotion to Lipa's Marian apparition continues despite Vatican ruling

Filipino Catholics continue to express their devotion to the Marian apparition in Lipa City, Batangas, which occurred more than 60 years ago despite Vatican's position that it has no "supernatural origin."

GMA News' Oscar Oida reported for “24 Oras” on Friday that some devotees recalled experiencing miracles in their lives.

"Kasi yung mga sinabi ng Vatican na hindi naghihimala imposible kasi marami akong hiniling dito na natupad," a male devotee said.

"It's a matter of faith naman kahit sabihing hindi siya nare-recognize [ng Vatican]," a woman said. 

It was in 1948 that the Virgin Mary reportedly appeared before Carmelite nun, Teresita Castillo or Teresing, at the Carmelite monastery in Lipa. This was followed by a shower of rose petals that bore the images of the Virgin Mary and Jesus.

"From nowhere may petals na pumapatak papunta sa sahig. Maski hanapin mo sa pinakamalaking diksyunaryo sa buong mundo, hindi mo pa rin makikita ang adjective that suits sa kagandahan ni Mama Mary," Castillo said in an "I-Witness" episode in 2000.

In 1992, Lipa Bishop Mariano Gaviola declared that the Marian apparition was worthy of belief, which was reiterated in 2009 and 2015 by Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles.

The Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of the Roman Curia, however, reiterated in a message to the Lipa Diocese that Pope Pius XII already ruled in 1951 that the alleged apparition has no supernatural origin.

In an interview, Arguelles said he will follow the decision of the Holy See but won't stop people from expressing their devotion to the Our Lady of Mediatrix of All Grace.

"Ngayon, kung ikaw ay naniniwala na may apparition doon, bahala ka na. Ako naniniwala until now and I think until I die. And I don't think I'll go to hell because I will believe in a way na hindi naman paniwala ng mga taga-Roma," he said.

"Ang aking encouragement sa mga nagmamahal sa Mahal na Birhen at nagpupunta dito sa Lipa, let us continue praying as she us asks us to do. Everywhere naman, 'yun ang hinihingi niya," he added.  —Virgil Lopez/KBK, GMA News