Fr. Do plays sports, too
Just because healing priest Fr. Fernando Suarez is a cleric doesn’t mean he’ll give you a chance in tennis. He plays to win and doesn’t enjoy losing – which is the way it should be in sports.
But after he beats you, your consolation is he’ll pray over you. That’s how Fr. Do is. He’s a regular guy. If you see him walking down the street, you wouldn’t think he had the God-given power of healing, both spiritually and physically. Fr. Do isn’t the type to flaunt.
To him, he’s only an instrument. He never asked to be an instrument. He’ll tell you he doesn’t heal. It is God who heals through him. When he discovered his calling, he was initially afraid. He found it difficult to understand how God could choose someone like him to become his instrument for healing. Eventually, he realized it was a role that was destined to be and now, he reaches out to those who seek him in God’s name.
Believe it or not, Fr. Do was rejected by two seminaries for “lack of vocation” before joining the Companions of the Cross, a Catholic community of priests founded by Fr. Robert Bedard in
No less than Archbishop Ramon Arguelles said, in a homily at the Tent in Rockwell last Thursday, that Fr. Do is destined to do great things. Through Fr. Do’s efforts, a shrine dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Poor, will rise on the slopes of
The shrine, called Montemaria, will be a haven for pilgrims and a place of prayer. It will be highlighted by a 117-meter statue of the Blessed Mother, to be sculpted by national artist Ed Castrillo. The monument will be taller than the 92-meter high Statue of Liberty.
Businessman and Couples for Christ convenor Greg Monteclaro, who arranges Fr. Do’s schedule here when he is in the country, said the Montemaria shrine will include a center for healing and spiritual rejuvenation, a retreat house for self-examination, an international center of apostolate for the poor, a Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, a rosary garden, a way of the cross, the St. Joseph Chapel, the Divine Mercy Chapel, a columbarium and a way station for pilgrims with board and lodging, conference rooms and other facilities.
Montemaria will be to
The Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation, whose chairman is Manolo Lopez of Meralco, has been set up as an apostolic endeavor with the aim to “seek holiness in evangelization and working with the poor through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”
Fr. Do, a chemical engineering graduate of
Gifted with boundless energy, Fr. Do played tennis with former national players Raymund Suarez and Roland So the day he arrived from
“He’s very competitive,” said Roland. “We don’t play easy matches. Whoever goes against Fr. Do has to play his best. We play doubles so it’s a big challenge for his partner not to let him down.”
I’m sure Roland prays to God for strength whether he’s paired with Fr. Do in doubles or across the net.
I played four sets of squash with Fr. Do at the Fort during his previous visit. Squash is another sport that Fr. Do plays with a passion. PLDT chairman Manny Pangilinan hosted our squash get-together.
My tongue was wagging after four sets and Fr. Do still looked fresh. Luckily for me, he had an appointment to keep so we couldn’t play a fifth set. As I whacked the ball, I couldn’t believe I was on the same court with such a holy man. It was an unforgettable experience.
Fr. Do will be in town until Aug. 17. Thousands are calling to be touched by him and he’s not turning down anyone. He has come with a purpose and it is for God. He sees everyone as brothers and sisters. No one is rich or poor in his eyes.
Here is a partial schedule of Fr. Do’s healing services.
July 24–10 a.m. Adoration Convent of Divine Mercy, Pink Sisters, Tagaytay. Contact Tel. 6346-413-1211
July 25–
July 26–9 a.m. Sanctuario de San Vicente de Paul, Tandang Sora. Contact Lalin Basilio at 0917-534-3139
July 27–
July 28–
July 30–3 p.m. Mall of
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