THE BOOK “Mary Mediatrix of All Grace: A Journey of Suffering and Holiness” by Rene C. de Jesus is now available at Carmelite Monastery in Lipa City in Batangas.
The Discalced Carmelites of the convent said the book is about the Virgin Mary and her desire to be known as Mary Mediatrix of All Grace.
It is also about Mary’s apparitions and miracles in 1948, which were accompanied by showers of rose petals, but which became shrouded in controversy.
The phenomenon became the focus of media attention and investigation by Church authorities.
Though the people’s devotion and faith in the Marian messages and miracles remained undimmed, the Carmelite community and Teresita Castillo, the visionary who was a Carmelite postulant at the time of the apparitions, experienced much suffering. But those who remained steadfast in their faith and belief in the apparitions would continue to grow in holiness.
On the 67th anniversary of the apparitions on Sept. 12, 2015, Lipa Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles issued a decree stating: “That the events and apparition of 1948 also known as the Marian phenomenon in Lipa and its aftermath even in recent times do exhibit supernatural character and is worthy of belief. Thus I encourage the devotion to the most Holy Mother Mary under Her revered and worthy title Mediatrix of All Grace.”
The new book would be a good companion to the late June Keithley’s “Lipa” and the late Archbishop Mariano Gaviola’s “Reflections on Mary Mediatrix of All Grace.”
Author De Jesus, a member of the Volunteers of God branch of the Focolare Movement, writes for and is a member of the editorial board of the New City Magazine of the Focolare. He directs spiritual formation meetings for inmates of the maximum security compound of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.