DECLARATION OF MONTEMARIA TRANSFER TO TAGAYTAY CITY

Blessed Mary Mother of the Poor, Inc.

D E C L A R A T I O N

February 16, 2010

Fr. Fernando Suarez has a very special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary since his youth. This devotion inspired him to form the Foundation of Mary Mother of the Poor. Besides his Ministry for the Poor, he also has a vision to build a Shrine for the Blessed Virgin Mary. Four years ago he decided to make the Philippines his home base so that he can share his gift of healing and minister to the needs of the poor. He met Congressman Hermilando "Dodo" Mandanas, who offered to donate a 5 hectare parcel of land in Batangas City. Fr. Fernando was awed by the beauty of the place in the mountains of Pagkilatan, Batangas City called Matuco Point. He conceived a plan to build a tall Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is now called MonteMaria. In December 2006, this plan was presented to Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles of the Archdiocese of Lipa. The blessing and inauguration of the location was held on Jan. 7, 2007. Donations and pledges for the building of the Shrine started to come in from around the world.

Noted master planners, architects and engineers volunteered and were commissioned to finalize the plans for the Shrine of Mary Mother of the Poor. Meanwhile, temporary structures were built to facilitate Holy Masses and vigils. In the last three years, much work has been done in completing the development plans and preparing the site for construction. On January 18, 2010 the Sto. Nino chapel, donated by the family of Andrew and Elvie Garcia, was blessed by His Excellency Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles.

Despite its remote location and difficulty of transportation, thousands of sick and poor devotees went up the mountain to participate in communal prayers and religious observances. As the increasing numbers of the faithful pour into MonteMaria, the master planners realize the need of a bigger area to accommodate the increasing demand for space. Thus Fr. Fernando requested the donor Cong. Mandanas to donate or sell more land for the requirements of the Shrine. The option for an additional lot for donation was not available, while the purchase of additional land was under negotiation. In November 2009, however, the discussion for the purchase of additional land failed. As well the promised 5 hectares donation has not been delivered to the Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation.

In December 2009, the donor changed his donation and included some conditions. This led to a meeting with the Archbishop of Lipa, the donors, and Fr. Fernando together with the board members of Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation on Feb. 1, 2010. The following points were presented:

*The 5 hectares will now be donated to the Archdiocese of Lipa instead of the Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation;

*The 33 storey statue of the Blessed Virgin must now be built on the donated property as a condition for the donation to be consummated;

*The Archbishop of Lipa mentioned that he will only accept the donation if Fr. Fernando and the Foundation promised to build the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary;

*Fr. Fernando was unable to accept this condition as the major donors and the Board of Directors of the MonteMaria project had decided to pull out of building in the area due to the perceived greed and commercialization of the land around the intended Shrine.

While all these events were occurring in MonteMaria, an incredible gift of land 20 times bigger in the vicinity of Tagaytay City was being offered to Fr. Fernando. In light of these circumstances, after intensive prayers and due consultation with the donors and Fr. Francis Donnelly the local superior of the Companions of the Cross, the Board of Directors unanimously decided to relocate the Shrine to this more accessible place.

Here public transportation is readily available and affordable; resources such as seminaries and religious houses for provision of priestly ministries abound; and accommodations for pilgrims are already abundant. The entire proposed project is welcomed by the local Bishop of the Diocese of Imus, Most Reverend Luis Antonio Tagle with great enthusiasm. The Foundation has practically finalized the transfer of the property with the donor. With God’s providence and the protection of Mother Mary, we expect to begin our ministries at this new site by March 13, 2010. Meanwhile, all directed donations for the Shrine are currently intact and will continue to be handled with the greatest transparency and accountability.

There is much pain in this decision, MonteMaria having been our beacon and common aspiration for the last three years. However, the preferential will of God seems clear, and we must allow the Holy Spirit to lead. We have all been blessed in this journey, the Archdiocese of Lipa, led by His Excellency, Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, has extended to us every assistance and support; to them our heartfelt thanks and appreciation. We thank our donors for their generous offer and efforts in favor of MonteMaria. We also thank the government of Batangas City for their support and assistance in initiating the first construction. Our gratitude also extends to the leaders and the people of Brgy. Pagkilatan who welcomed us with open arms.

Many thanks also to all our supporters and volunteers. Together let us persevere to make the Project for Mama Mary a reality.


The actual declaration from Father Fernando can be accessed here.

TESTIMONY TO SIGHTINGS OVER MONTEMARIA: GOD'S AWESOME SIGNS AND WONDERS

"THE LORD DISPLAYED BEFORE OUR EYES, GREAT
AND AWESOME SIGHTS AND WONDERS!"

Remy and Reynaldo Atienza along with their daughters Madie and Mariel live in the town of Puerto Galera on the isle of Mindoro. From their home they can see MonteMaria which lies 15 kilometers across the Verde Strait. Their experiences with both Fr. Fernando and MonteMaria have profoundly transformed their lives.

Here below is a transcript of their interview taken on July 4, 2009.

Remy speaking: The first time we saw the lights happened on June 5, 2009 at 12:30 PM. I was in my house looking over to MonteMaria. I saw a bright light and immediately called my husband asking him to bring his telescope. Through the telescope I saw a large circular light and lots of stars as if they were dancing. They were white and silver in color and so bright that it hurt my eyes looking directly at them.

The next morning on Saturday, I once again looked towards MonteMaria to see where the light was coming from. I saw Mary’s crown with 12 stars! It is the same image as the statue you see here yet this wasn’t here at the time. I believe that this is a sign from God to my family to accept and believe in MonteMaria as a place of holiness.

On Friday, June 12, 2009 my husband Reynaldo was the first to see the lights. After seeing them, he asked Madie and Mariel to have a look. They confirmed that it was the same light. Madie then interjected by explaining, “At first when my Dad told me I didn’t believe but when I took a look, I saw an image of Mary’s crown.”

Then last Wednesday, July 1 at 11:30 PM, I saw the same light and image for a third time. They were bright lights, red, blue and white in color. Today after Mass, I asked the security guard here in MonteMaria if there were any visitors or an event on Wednesday night and he said, “No.”

“How have these events changed your life?”

Remy replied sobbing . . MonteMaria is a beautiful place. I remember a recent homily Father Fernando gave. He spoke of how many Filipino’s believe in creatures, magic and quack doctors who promise everything only to get themselves rich. We were victims of this. We went to quack doctors who charged fees in the belief we would be healed. Now we know that only God truly heals!

To the above question Madie added: My father never went to church and he used to be a gambler. He was a diabetic for five years taking medication. Now he no longer takes anything and just exercises.

In the past, we could not take him anywhere because he was always irritable and angry. Now he babysits the grandchildren. My Mom, sister and I always went alone. Now it is he who leads us here rain or shine and who insists that we not miss a single weekend Mass. He has completely changed.

This all started after Fr. Fernando prayed over him at a Mass in Calapan City, Mindoro on January 31, 2009. As a family we have nothing more to ask God because the blessings He has given us are overflowing. Salamat! The only thing we can say is thanks.


TOM PRUGO
Toronto, Canada

MONUMENTS OF DIVINE LOVE, SECURITY, REFUGE AND STRENGTH

PROPOSED STATUE OF MARY MOTHER OF THE POOR

Soon to rise in Montemaria, Batangas City, Philippines is a sacred place of worship and retreat that will offer the tired and weary soul a solemn haven for spiritual invigoration and Divine Reflection.

On this vast 15-hectare property, MONTEMARIA is an ambitious project of Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation (MMPF), an apostolic initiative of Father Fernando Suarez, the world-renowned popular Filipino priest-healer who is on an international healing mission worldwide.

Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation (MMPF) is an apostolic endeavor with the aim to seek holiness in evangelizing and working with the poor through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

As the centerpiece of the proposed tourism and pilgrimage site, will rise a majestic statue of Mary, Mother of the Poor as tall as the Statue of Liberty that overlooks the horizon, like a beacon of light, a proclamation of faith, a steadfast companion and guide for the earthly traveler as he journeys his way to God.

Where the Mother is, there also is the Son. Near the majestic statue of Mary will also rise the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus whose Heart is the overflowing Vessel of security and refuge for those who seek God's Love and Divine Mercy.

These two monuments are to be the newest and most important landmarks of God's great Love and Mercy that pay tribute to His Son Jesus and the Mother of Divine Mercy, Mary, the Mother of the Poor.