2023 Circular By Archbishop Gilbert Garcera

CIRCULAR No. 37, Series of 2023
August 8, 2023

To: THE CLERGY, RELIGIOUS AND LAY FAITHFUL OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF LIPA, PROVINCE OF BATANGAS, PHILIPPINES
Re: GUIDELINES RELATIVE TO THE INSTRUCTION OF THE DICASTERY FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH (DDF) DISALLOWING THE CELEBRATION OF THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ALLEGED APPARITION IN LIPA UNDER ANY FORM

Greetings of Peace!

The Confraternity of Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace proposed certain activities for September 12, 2023 which incidentally marks the 75th anniversary of the alleged apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the late Teresa Castillo at the Carmelite Monastery in Lipa in 1948. This came to the attention of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, then headed by His Eminence Luis Cardinal Ladaria, S.J., Prefect.

In a letter addressed to Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, CBCP President, dated May 8, 2023, Cardinal Ladaria, S.J. instructed the former not to authorize the celebration of the 75h anniversary of the alleged apparition in Lipa under any form. In turn, Bishop David communicated the instruction to the bishops gathered for the 126th CBCP Plenary Assembly held in Kalibo, Aklan, last July 8-10, 2023.

As Archbishop of Lipa, I immediately informed our priests, the nuns of the Carmelite Monastery of Lipa, and the Confraternity of Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace about the letter from the aforementioned Dicastery. I also established an Ad Hoc Conmitee on the Implementation of the Instructions. This committee included Msgr. Ruben M. Dimaculangan (Vicar General), Fr. Jayson N. Alcaraz (Chancellor / Parish Priest of Mary Mediatrix of AII Grace Parish). Fr. Ildefonso T. Dimaano (Director of Social Communication), Fr. Jose Dennis S. Tenorio (Carmelite Monastery Chaplain) and Robert M. Magsino, M.D. (President of the Confraternity of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace).

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.

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. Recall that our Lord has entrusted the care of the Church to the Apostles and to the bishops as their successors; and, hear the words of Mary, our Mother, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5).

In this spirit, please observe the following guidelines for the Archdiocese of Lipa which I have approved upon the suggestion of the Ad Hoc Committee.

1. 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.
2. There shall be no special Masses to comnmemorate the 75th anniversary of the alleged apparition on September 12, 2023, at the Carmelite Monastery Churct and in all parish churches and chapels.
3. 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.
4. Promotional materials about the 75th anniversary of the apparition may not be posted at the Carmelite Monaster Church and in all parish churches and chapels.
5. 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.
6. Celebrations of the anniversary of the alleged apparition under any form shall not be held in succeeding years at the Carmelite Monastery Church, and in all parish churches and chapels.
7. On September 12, 2023, the Monastery of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Lipa will follow its regular schedule with the usual Mass celebrated in the morning.

Please be informed that as I assign Fr. Ildefonso T. Dimaano, Director of Social Communication, as spokesperson of the Archdiocese on this matter, I also appoint Fr. Jose Dennis S. Tenorio, Carmelite Monastery Chaplain, to monitor the implementation of these Guidelines.

Copy of this circular will be furnished to Bishop Pablo David, CBCP President, for the information of the Philippine bishops and reference.

While I echo the definitive decision of 1951 that the alleged apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Carmelite Convent of Lipa does not have a supernatural origin and character, please also take note that the CBCP Pastoral Instruction clarifies that the definition of 1951 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.

Please find attached the following:
   1. CDF Decree of 11 December 2015 on the Presumed Apparitions of the BVM at the Carmelite Convent in Lipa, Philippines (Prot. N.226/ 1949):
   2. Letter of His Eminence Luis Cardinal Ladaria, SJ to His Excellency Pablo Virgilio David, CBCP President (Prot. N. 226/1949 – 94656, 8 May 2023);
   3. Letter of His Excellency Pablo Virgilio David, CBCP President, to the Philippine bishops.

Let us humbly ask our Lord for the grace of unwavering trust and obedience to His loving will through the intercession of Our Lady of Caysasay, our Queen and Mother, and of St. Joseph, the patron Saint of our Archdiocese.

Sincerely yours in the Lord,

[SIGNED]

Gilbert A. GARCERA, D.D.

Archbishop of Lipa

Attested by:

[SIGNED]

Rev. Fr. Jayson N. ALCARAZ

Chancelor

Source: Office of Spiritual Liberation and Exorcism – Archdiocese of Lipa Facebook post on August 8, 2023 around 12:00 pm.