SIXTY-SIX years since  Mary Mediatrix appeared to Carmelite postulant Teresing Castillo on Sept. 12, 1948, at the garden of the Carmelite Monastery in Lipa, Batangas province,  there has been a Facebook signature campaign for the Church to officially approve the apparitions.

There are also plans to put the incident into film.

Francis O. Villacorta, writer-director of the movie “Pedro Calungsod, Batang Martir,” is set to helm the film, “Mary Mediatrix of All Grace: The Lipa Apparitions.”

The film will detail the events around the 1948 Marian apparitions in Lipa that led to the now-six-decade devotion to the Blessed Mother under her title Mediatrix of Grace.

Incidentally, Villacorta is also mounting the stage play “TOTUS TUUS: The Saint Pope John Paul II Story,” starting September. Interested parties that may want to host the production may call 0917-4682045, 0937-2756915 or 5248454.

Bishop Alfredo Obviar

The remains of Servant of God Alfredo Maria Obviar, who was auxiliary bishop of Lipa during the apparitions, are in the altar of the convent chapel of Missionary Catechists of St. Therese of the Child Jesus in Tayabas town, Quezon province. (Obviar later became bishop of Tayabas.)

Prayers for his beatification that have been attached to the tomb are considered third-class relics.  Those who  are interested to have a prayer card  can write to me c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer, Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City.

Arma Christi relics  exhibit

As part of the 25th anniversary of its presence in the Philippines, Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate will hold a  public veneration of the Arma Christi relics (Relics of Our Lord’s Passion and Death) at Fr. Joseph Frassinetti Seminary on Isabella de Rossi Street in Multinational Village,  Parañaque City, on Aug. 8-10.

For more information, call (02) 8289509 or  text 0906-57l2333.

Saint Philomena fiesta

Bishops who will celebrate the Novena Masses for the feast of
St. Philomela will reflect on the theme “St. Philomena, New Light of the Church Militant, Evangelizing the World through Her Virtues.”

The Masses will be held on Aug. 2 to 10 at Santuario de Santa Philomena in  Most Holy Redeemer Parish, Del Monte Avenue, Malac Street, Masambong, Quezon City.

Fr. Rey Hector A. Paglinawan, parish administrator, said  the Novena would be said  at 6 p.m. and Mass at 6:30 p.m. on weekdays and at 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Feast is on Aug. 11.

Celebrants are Bishops Leopoldo Jaucian of Bangued, Florentino Cinense of Tarlac, Edgardo Juanich (Vicar Apostolic) of Taytay, Mylo Hubert Vergara of Pasig, Precioso Cantillas of Maasin, David William Antonio (Auxiliary) of Nueva Segovia, Deogracias Iñiguez, Jr. (Emeritus) of Kalookan, Filomeno Bactol of Naval and Camilo Gregorio of Batanes. There will be a solemn procession at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 10.

On   Aug. 11, fiesta proper,   Masses will  at  6 and 9  a.m., and at  4 and 6:30 p.m.

Celebrants are Fr. Eugenio P. Lopez, OFMCap, Fr. Socrates Mesiona, MSP, Fr. Orlando C. Aceron, OP, and
Fr. Michell Joe B. Zerrudo.

Highlight of the fiesta is the 12 noon Mass by Bishop Gilbert A. Garcera of Daet.

There will be anointing of the Holy Oil and veneration of the Holy Relic of St. Philomena after each Mass.

Fathers Aceron and Zerrudo are spiritual directors of  Universal Living  Rosary  Association  of   St. Philomena,  with  address  at 430 Mayon St., Quezon City. (For details, text
0918-5470605 or call  3651011.)

Assumption fiesta

Our Lady of the Assumption in Leveriza, Malate, Manila, will hold Novena Masses for the feast of the Assumption on Aug. 6 to 14 at 6 p.m.

To celebrate the Novena Masses are parish priest Fr. Benjie Ledesma,
Msgr. Vic Bauson, Fr. Moises Ciego,
Fr. Benny Tuazon,  Fr. Bobby Titco,
Fr. Pix Picardal, Fr. Robbie Gaa,
Fr. Sanny de Claro and Fr. Erick Santos.

Fiesta Masses on Aug. 15 will be at 5:30, 7, 8:30 and 10 a.m., and at 3:30, 4:30 (procession follows) and 6 p.m.

The Sunday fiesta Mass on Aug. 16 will be at 9 a.m. It will be presided by Manila Auxiliary Bishop Bernardino Cortez.

Gumaca ordinations
Two seminarians of the Diocese of Gumaca will be ordained as deacons on Aug. 5 at San Diego of Alcala Cathedral—the Rev. Jeric S. Ballesteros and Rev. Edison O. Huvalla.

A new member of the presbyterium, Rev. Fr. Ronald M. Mitas, will be ordained on Aug. 7 at Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish in Barangay Abuyon, San Narciso, Quezon.

Bishop Buenaventura M. Famadico, former bishop of the diocese and now the bishop of San Pablo, will confer the Holy Orders.

Nana Ciso fiesta

Novena Masses of Our Lady of Buen Suceso  in St. Andrew Cathedral in La Huerta, Parañaque City,  will be on  Aug. 1-9 at  6 p.m.

Fiesta Masses on Aug. 10 are at 5:30, 7, 8 :30 and 10 a.m., and at 3:30, 4:30 and 6 p.m, which will be a  Misa Concelebrada.

Parish priest is Fr. Rolly Agustin.

Eastern Catholic Church

Oikos (parish) of St. Martin in Barangay Malumot, Bacoor, Cavite province, near SM Bacoor will celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Buen Suceso on  Aug. 10 at 9 a.m. There will be a procession afterward.

Novena Masses are now being held until Aug. 9 at 6 p.m..

One of the celebrants is Fr. Daniel “Niel” Feliciano, who was ordained priest last June 27.

Happy fiesta, Nana Ciso!