FOLLOWING the directives of the Vatican and the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the Archdiocese of Lipa has banned all celebrations related to the 75th anniversary of the alleged apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Batangas.
In his Circular No. 37-2023, Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera said they will not allow any activities related to the commemoration of the alleged apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the late Teresa Castillo at the Carmelite Monastery in Lipa in 1948.
“I, therefore, officially communicate to all of you, our dear faithful, that in filial devotion to the Holy See there can be no observance of the 75th anniversary of the alleged apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lipa on September 12, 2023, under any form,” said Garcera.
This, he said, means that Triduum or Novena Masses in preparation for the 75th anniversary of the alleged apparition shall not be held at the Carmelite Monastery Church, and in all parish churches and chapels.
There shall also be no special Masses to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the alleged apparition on September 12, 2023, at the Carmelite Monastery Church, and in all parish churches and chapels.
The prelate said any organized activities celebrating the said anniversary shall not be conducted inside or outside the Carmelite Monastery Church, or in all parish churches and chapels on September 12, 2023 and on any day thereafter.
Garcera said any promotional materials about the 75th anniversary of the alleged apparition will also not be allowed to be posted at the Carmelite Monastery Church, and in all parish churches and chapels.
He said devotions held on the 12th day of every month, which are meant to recall the alleged apparition in Lipa, shall not be held at the Carmelite Monastery Church, and in all parish churches and chapels.
Celebrations of the anniversary of the alleged apparition under any form shall also not be held in succeeding years at the Carmelite Monastery Church, and in all parish churches and chapels.
Garcera said that on September 12 this year, the Monastery of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Lipa will only follow its regular schedule with the usual Mass celebrated in the morning.
Garcera said they are hopeful that the faithful, especially devotees, will follow the guidelines despite not agreeing with them.
“I acknowledge that this decision may be difficult for many of you, but I trust that, in your love for our Blessed Mother, you will look to her example of humble obedience to the will of God,” said the archbishop.
He, however, stressed that the prohibition imposed by the Archdiocese does not outlaw devotion to the Mary Mediatrix of All Grace.
“(It) does not prohibit the devotion to Mary as Mediatrix of Grace nor does it prohibit the veneration of the statue of the Mediatrix of Grace as long as they are dissociated from the alleged apparition in Lipa,” said Garcera.
Earlier, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith directed the CBCP not to authorize the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the alleged apparition in Lipa under any form.
