Beholding the lady who beheld Our Lady

TERESITA CASTILLO. Former Carmelite postulant. Daughter of the former Governor of Batangas. A lady filled with vigor and joy. 

Some might know her as such. But for everyone, she is no-less than the nun who saw the Blessed Virgin for many times in 1948, during her apparitions in Lipa Carmel in the Philippines. At that time, Mary introduced herself as MEDIATRIX OF ALL GRACE. This series of apparitions was accompanied by numerous wonders and miracles, above them all the famous shower of rose petals. Despite the decision of the Church authorities in 1951 to the non-authenticity of the apparitions (the declaration can be found somewhere else in the internet), the Filipino still showed his love and admiration for Our Lady which lasts until the present, with hopes that the Church would reconsider its verdict.

Almost all the first-hand witnesses passed away since then. All, but Sr. Teresing. Despite the criticism of people who had little knowledge to the apparitions, who fabricate hoaxes throughout the past decades, Sr. Teresing remained silent and calm. She did not go public, except on few occasions when she was invited to talk on the mystic encounters with the Virgin Mary. She became a low-profile person, living in the suburbs of Manila with adopted daughter Grace and some relatives. Everyone wanted to see her, ask her prayers for many concerns, but her health condition and advanced age made it impossible. For everyone, it was really suntok sa buwan.

But God, in his great goodness, granted me and my friend Migs a wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime chance to see and hear Sr. Teresita, in a circumstance not prepared by our strength, but according to His gracious plan. The story surrounding this encounter, for me, is more than a 'meet-and-greet' situation; it's God's will prevailing in every minute, so precious, so unforgettable.

I'll start the story around six months ago, when I first visited Lipa Carmel. Among my many prayers back then, one was for me to see Our Lady's visionary, impossible as it might seem. Months came, there was a news that Sr. Teresita's health was failing. Around the same time, Migs had finished composing a hymn in honor of Our Lady, known as Ave Maria ng Lipa. Clouded by the misunderstandings of the past, we found ourselves chatting on FB, sharing our stories, then asking forgiveness from each other. Simple as it may seem, Our Lady prepared us for this special encounter. We made a simple promise, that when someone is invited to visit Sr. Teresing, be it me or Migs, we will not go without the other. 

And so it was. 

August 01, 2014. I was playing the guitar at the First Friday Mass of our school. It was raining then. We had a problem with the copies of the song, so I went outside the church to look for a paper and marker. Out of the blue, I saw, outside the church in the middle of the rain, a fresh, pink rose petal. Puzzled, I kept it, and put it in a place where I can see it while I'm playing at Mass, but it suddenly disappeared.

On the night of the same day, as I was doing my school errands inside my room, a magnificent fragrance surrounded the whole place. I'm not fond of using perfumes, there was not even a visitor. I have no idea what's happening; I'm even unaware that something great is about to happen.

The next day, August 02, 2014, as I was on my way to Santo Domingo, a friend called me by phone, with a very special news. I and Migs are invited to visit Sr. Teresita the next day. I had many commitments back then, but I cancelled them all, just to give my YES to this invitation. I don't want to have this unprepared, so I went to confession and heard Mass that day, in grateful thanksgiving to Our Lady for this grace.

August 03, 2014. Along with our friends Our long journey somewhere in Manila took us to a very simple home. 'Eto na?' (Is this it?) was my first reaction upon arriving at the Castillo residence. You wouldn't even notice that it is a house of a famous person; it is so simple, yet humble.

We were received by Ms. Grace Castillo, a daughter who, like her adoptive mother, was also humble and welcoming. I can't really believe what I'm seeing. We're inside the house of the Visionary of Lipa, whom everyone wanted to see! We're already inside the house of a lady filled with such holiness. At this point, I even deemed myself unworthy. I don't know what to say when I see her. I don't know, but I just said to Our Lady, Mama Mary, you led me here. Guide me. Make me worthy. 

Then, the moment came. I beheld before my person, Sr. Teresita Castillo, the humble Visionary of Lipa, who despite her advanced age, was still able to give us little words of encouragement and wisdom. The encounter we had was like an encounter with our Lola (grandmother), an affectionate lady, full of knowledge of her time, and passing it to us, the youth of the present generation.

Among many things, she shared to us on the need of prayer for our generation against the many temptations of our time, and the assurance of Mary's protection upon those who draw themselves closer to her. I was able to record a portion of our conversation, and I tried my best to transcribe her words:

"You know how people are tempted these days. And (Mary's) sad about it. You know how it feels. (...) Your generation, now, there's so many temptations. Parents come to me, they cry, what they'll do, they're sad. It's really hard these days to not be tempted. There's so many temptations. Young people can be tempted in so many things."

"And it's sad, they lose always hope, (...) especially students. So we have to pray more. (...) You know more than me. I know Mama Mary's hurt, VERY HURT. That's why, we need penance. You don't need to do big things to make penance, even simple things, little things."

"Just keep close to her. I'm sure she'll protect you. I'm sure she'll make you good souls, good boys. She'll guide you to where she wants you to be." 

"Now that you know her, I know you'll day by day pray to her, and doing so, your love for her will increase. She'll guide you, She'll guard you. She'll protect you from dangers of body (and soul.)"

"I know all of you here who came to visit me, all of you will be blessed by Mama Mary."

A Holy Mass was also celebrated that morning, where Migs played the Mass songs on the piano. We were all able to see Sr. Teresita in deep contemplation towards the sacred mysteries. After receiving Holy Communion, we saw a certain glow of holiness radiate through the sister's face. At the singing of the Salve, she tried her best to reach the manto of the Virgin of Fatima which was just beside her (We brought the image along with us; it was blessed by Pope Paul VI.) One can sense in her silent face that of a lady in joy upon receiving Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist and paying tribute to Our Lady.

For the first time, we presented to her the composition of Migs, the Ave Maria ng Lipa. While Migs was playing his composition at the Piano, I stayed at the Sister's bedside, singing the piece. It was really a grace-filled moment for the two of us; I never thought of rendering this song before the Visionary, but I really know it's Our Lord's will, and that of Mama Mary, for me to do so. 

Upon bidding her farewell, she gave us two final advice. 

Be good ah. Maraming tukso ngayon. Be good!

And the second one seems to be more personal, as she said this while looking at me, at the depths of my heart:

Just lift them all (problems) to the Lord. What is impossible to man, is possible to God.

Kissing her forehead and her hands, I remembered all those who wish to see her, and all those who are promoting the devotion to Mama Mary Mediatrix. I know it would only happen once in a while, and so, given this privilege, I took this opportunity to remember everyone who are so dear to Mama Mary Mediatrix.

I will never forget this encounter. Never in my life. This is God's gift to me for my birthday on the 19th. And indeed, when God gives gifts, it's something worth cherishing. Meeting and hearing the Visionary speak on the importance of prayer and penance strengthened my resolve to become more holy in thought, word and deed. I can never do this without God's grace, and that of the Blessed Virgin.

Before we left, she told us, Babalik kayo ah! Yes, we will return. Our hearts will always remain by her side, as she always remembers us in her prayers.

"Pray for me, as I pray for you. All of you!"

Together with us are Fr. JM Sadia, Lynch Flores and Leandro Tesorero, our brothers at the Work of the Saints Apostolate. With us in the photo is Ms. Grace Castillo.