Parishioner Roberto Felix testified that
he was cured of his blindness at the healing Mass of Fr. Suarez
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It was only mid-afternoon on Friday, February 22, 2008, and Montebello’s
St. Benedict Church was already more than half full for Father
Fernando Suarez, C.C.’s 7:00 p.m. healing Mass. By that evening
hour an estimated 2000 persons, many in wheelchairs, on crutches,
using walkers or white canes had gathered in and around the church – all
anxious to catch a glimpse of Father Fernando and receive his healing
touch.
Father Fernando is a 41-year old native of Batangas, Philippines.
A former chemical engineer he moved to Canada in 1995, where two
years later he joined the recently founded religious community
of the Companions of the Cross. He was ordained to the priesthood
in 2002.
Early in life, he discovered that God was using him in a powerful
way to heal the sick. Since 2003 he has devoted himself full-time
to conducting healing Masses retreats and missions – always
with large crowds in attendance. He frequently reminds his hearers
that it is the Lord not he who heals. Whatever money that comes
to Father as a result of his ministry is used to support a foundation,
Mary Mother of the Poor, which he started to assist the poor and
disadvantaged in the Philippines and elsewhere.
By a fortuitous and providential scheduling error, Father Fernando,
who was then conducting services in Southern California, discovered
that he would have the evening of the 22nd free. When members
of the parish’s Filipino community approached Father Joseph
Gallardo, Pastor, with the possibility of a healing Mass on that
date, he was quite eager to host Father at St. Benedict.
The parish published notice of the upcoming event in the weekly
bulletin, and the news quickly spread throughout the area by email
and word of mouth. No one, however, expected the massive crowds
that clamored for admittance on the 22nd. All remarked that in
the entire history of the parish this assemblage broke all records.
Father Suarez belatedly joined the Recollect community for dinner
that evening and at table radiated warm friendliness, genuine humility,
kindly patience, and an obvious hunger – not for food – but
to serve and help the sick and suffering.
Almost on the hour Father Fernando began Mass which he con-celebrated
with Father Jeff Shannon, C.C., who is part of Father’s mission
team and also vocation director for the Companions of the Cross – the
religious congregation to which they both belong. Also assisting
were two seminarians who happened to be on break that week from
their studies in Ottawa, Canada, where the group has its central
house. Fathers Felix Daganta and Hernan Canete, both assigned
to St. Benedict, also con-celebrated.
Father Felix Daganta, associate pastor at St. Benedict, had worked
tirelessly in the preparations for the Mass and had recruited an
army of extraordinary Eucharistic ministers. He had assigned each
a certain section of the church in which to distribute Holy Communion.
Since it was practically impossible to move anywhere in the church,
the ministers had to use their own creativity at the time of the
distribution of the Sacrament.
A well-known and justly-famous Filipino choir from Montebello
provided the music for the Mass as well as soft background hymns
for the healing service.
Immediately after Mass Father Fernando began his prayers for the
sick as he laid his hands on each of them. Previously he had briefly
explained the method he would follow, and it was incredible to
see the good and devout order that the huge crowd maintained as
each patiently awaited his turn.
First of all Father gave his attention to those in wheelchairs
and those who had some serious and obvious physical handicap. Those
whom the Lord healed at Father’s touch went immediately to
the microphone and gave testimony to those still waiting. Throughout
the evening quite a sizable number reported that they could now
walk or freely use arms or legs which had previously been paralyzed
or worthless. Others testified to the healing of different ailments
and afflictions from which they had long suffered. Some who
were able to function only with the help of others left the service
unassisted and unaided.
One blind man, Roberto Felix, a long-time member of the Spanish
prayer group, for whom, as Father Felix has attested, his group
had often prayed, recovered his sight completely and totally when
Father Fernando placed his hands on his head and eyes asked for
his cure.
Each testimony – and there were scores of them -- was eloquently
heartfelt, moving, and excited, causing all present to praise God
even if they themselves were not helped physically. Before testifying
one young woman who had been unable to bend her knees for many
years ran up and down the altar steps a number of times crying
and thanking God—almost unable to believe that now she could
walk with ease and without pain.
Without any show of impatience or hurriedness, Father Suarez calmly
proceeded to pray over and touch each person present. At
the services’ conclusion there was a mob in the sacristy,
each member of it begging Father to spend the night in his home.
To the disappointment of many, he accepted the offer of one.
In the aftermath of the healing service, Father Joseph has mentioned
on numerous occasions that he can detect spiritual healings and
many other incorporeal benefits that have accrued to the parish
in the wake of Father Fernando’s visit. He is grateful and
wants to invite him to return soon to preach a week-long parish
mission.
Father Jeff says of him: “I know the Lord is going to continue
to use him in greater ways to help light a brighter fire in our
church and in a world that is so desperately seeking the love of
Jesus in their lives.”
Fr. James McGuire, OAR
