When I think about the story of the Lipa apparitions in 1948, I cannot stay quiet. In my heart and mind I believe that Our Lady truly appeared as Mary Mediatrix of All Grace.
Many people, even inside the Church, try to dismiss these events. Some exorcists attack them, ignoring the warning of the CBCP, and many leaders of the Philippine Church follow Rome’s decisions blindly without asking questions.
20 Reasons Why Mary’s Apparitions at Lipa is Credible
But after sufficient time spent praying and studying the case, I am sure that the Lipa apparitions are true. Here are twenty main reasons why I believe this with all my heart.
1. No Condemnation as Demonic
The Church has never declared that the Lipa events came from the devil. The official statement said only that the apparitions lacked proof of the supernatural. This is not the same as saying they are diabolic. If the Church did not condemn them as evil, why should exorcists or critics rush to put that label?
2. Limited Investigation
The Vatican never sent teams of experts or scientists to fully study what happened. All the negative judgments go back to one man, Archbishop Egidio Vagnozzi, then papal nuncio, in 1951. He was already not favorable to the events and his investigations became the basis for all future decisions. The truth has not been searched deeply.
3. Bishops under Pressure
History shows that the bishops at that time were forced to sign the decree against Lipa. A Jesuit priest even holds a signed affidavit from his bishop uncle, who testified that he and the other bishops were pressured to sign the 1951 decree out of fear of excommunication. If their signatures were not given freely, then the decision itself is doubtful and goes against Church Law under Canon 125. Any judgment made under coercion is invalid.
4. Harsh Treatment of the Seer
The visionary, Teresita Castillo, was a young postulant who gave her yes to God. Instead of being guided gently, she was punished and humiliated. This mistreatment casts a shadow over the whole process. If she was truly lying, why was there a need to crush her so harshly?
5. Punishment of the Mother Superior
Mother Cecilia, the prioress who supported Teresita, was also punished. She was removed from Lipa, stripped of her title and dignity as Mother Superior, and treated unjustly. This was not the way to deal with a holy woman who only wished to protect her convent. It shows that the authorities were seeking silence, not truth.
6. Burning of the Petals
Thousands of people witnessed rose petals fall from heaven. On those petals were sacred images pressed into the very veins of the flowers. Instead of studying them, church authorities ordered them burned. Yet many faithful secretly kept petals, and even today they remain as living witnesses. Something heavenly was destroyed, but it could not be erased from memory.
7. Suppression of Devotion by Church Leaders
The apparitions of Lourdes and Fatima grew because of cooperation between laypeople and clergy. Lipa, on the other hand, was condemned just over two years after, and what is defeating is that the condemner was an ordained member of the Church, later propelled by the silence of other clerics in high ranks. From then on bishops were afraid to promote it. Yet before the 1951 decree, hundreds of thousands of Filipinos had already visited Lipa because they believed. The sudden suppression shows fear, not careful discernment.
8. Obedience of the Visionary
Teresita never fought against the Church. She remained obedient and humble all her life. She did not seek money or fame. A false visionary often rebels when contradicted, but Teresita never did. Her silence and patience shine as a mark of sincerity.
9. Support from Holy Bishops
Bishop Alfredo Verzosa and Auxiliary Bishop Alfredo Obviar, who were present at the time, both supported the apparitions. Today they are recognized as Venerables. If such holy bishops who knew the events closely believed, why should we ignore their testimony?
10. Scholars and Thinkers in Favor
Many respected people like June Keithley and Dominican Master Gerard Francisco P. Timoner III, O.P., studied the facts deeply. They were not dreamers or fanatics but educated Catholics. They saw enough truth to believe or at least have a favorable view. If such intellectuals could be convinced, why should simple lay people like me doubt?
11. Favorable Investigator Journal
The hidden journal of Fr. Angel de Blas was recently found. It shows that he believed Teresita was honest and that the events favored the supernatural. For decades this was buried. Now that it has been revealed, it gives strong support to Lipa.
12. Ongoing Miracles and Conversions
Up to today, God continues to work through Lipa. Healings and conversions are still reported. People pray to Our Lady Mediatrix and find peace, strength, and answered petitions. This ongoing stream of grace for more than seven decades cannot be explained by fraud.
13. Disobedience of Exorcists
In 2018 the bishops of the Philippines issued a pastoral letter asking exorcists not to call Lipa demonic. Yet some exorcists openly disobeyed. They continued to call it from the devil, even when the Church never said so. Their disobedience weakens their claim of authority.
14. Weak Arguments of Attackers
When I listen to the critics, I do not hear careful reasoning. Most simply say Rome has already spoken, typical of non-catechized Catholics. Some act out of pride, others out of loyalty to friends in the exorcism ministry. It is easy to dismiss, but much harder to explain the thousands of witnesses and the miracles that followed.
15. Flourishing of Devotion
Wherever the image of Mary Mediatrix is placed, devotion grows. Parishes and cathedrals with the image are full of prayer. Even if not officially tied to the Lipa apparitions, people still see Our Lady in this title and are inspired. This growth for me is itself a fruit of authenticity. As Gamaliel once said, if it is not of God, it will perish.
16. Archbishop Arguelles’ Approval
Archbishop Ramon Arguelles is the only prelate who made a deep and thorough investigation of Lipa. After his investigation he declared it worthy of belief in 2016. For this he was removed from his post, which many interpret as punishment. His courage stands as a witness.
17. Exuding Oil from an Image
Not far from Lipa, a family keeps an image of the Mediatrix that exudes oil. This has continued for years now. While not officially linked to Lipa, it is a reminder that Our Lady continues to show her motherly presence in the region.
18. Fearful Church Leaders
The Philippine Church leaders often echoes Rome without question. We saw this in their silence over other controversial documents like Fiducia Supplicans. Many fear losing favor or position, so they choose not to speak about Lipa. The problem is not the absence of truth but the absence of courage among our bishops. Unlike Bishops Verzosa, Obviar, and Arguelles, who were silenced and cast aside for defending the truth of Lipa, today’s prelates prefer comfort and security in their ranks rather than facing opposition for the sake of truth.
19. Sound and Catholic Messages
The messages of Lipa are all Catholic. They call for prayer, penance, sacrifice, and devotion to Mary who leads to Jesus, source of All Grace. There is no heresy, no false teaching. The purity of the message points to its divine origin.
20. Fruits of Grace Remain
The clearest proof is always the fruit. From 1948 until today, devotion to Mary Mediatrix of All Grace has brought countless souls closer to God. Where there are good fruits, there is a good tree.
Conclusion
For these reasons I believe in the apparitions of Lipa. My belief is not blind. It is based on history, on witnesses, on miracles, and above all on the lasting fruits of grace.
The Church once said no, but history shows that judgments can change when the truth shines more clearly.
I remain obedient to the Church, but I also remain faithful to the truth that God can surprise His people.
Hopes and Call for Truth and Discernment
I believe that one day the Church will see what many simple faithful already know in their hearts: that in 1948 Our Lady truly appeared in Lipa, Batangas, Philippines, to remind her children to pray, to repent, and to trust in her Son.
Until that day I will honor her as Mary Mediatrix of All Grace and defend this phenomenon to the best of my ability.
As I have said in another post, “Lipa Apparitions: A Call for Truth and Discernment,” to question the Lipa verdict is not to disobey the Church. It is to love the Church enough to ask her leaders to correct their errors.
The real disobedience lies in refusing to engage with the truth, in dismissing the pain of the oppressed, and in supporting a judgment born of coercion and concealment.
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