Healing starts from within

Fr. Fernando Suarez is known for his charism, a gift of healing from the Holy Spirit. The 43-year-old priest from Butong, Taal, repeatedly makes it clear, however, that he isn’t the healer, that the Eucharist is the source of Christian healing and everyone has the ability to heal because spiritual salvation comes from within through Holy Communion.

Fr. Suarez is quick to reject notions that he’s a miracle worker. What can’t be denied is he inspires hope and it is in hope that those who seek healing find refuge with the Lord through faith.

A chemical engineering graduate from Adamson University, Fr. Suarez was ordained a priest in Canada in 2002. He joined the Companions of the Cross, a clerical community that was founded by Fr. Robert Bedard in Ottawa in 1985, recognized for its distinct charism by Archbishop of Ottawa Marcel Gervais in 1994 and sanctified as a society of apostolic life by the Holy See in Rome in 2002. Today, the religious order has 42 priests in Nova Scotia, Ottawa, Houston and the Philippines.

Fr. Suarez is the only Filipino priest in the congregation although another Filipino is now working towards ordination. Fr. Suarez, Fr. Jeff Shannon and Fr. Francis Donnelly of the Companions of the Cross are based in the Philippines.

Despite keeping a hectic schedule of healing Masses, Fr. Suarez somehow manages to find time for tennis, his favorite sport. He often plays with former Davis Cuppers Raymond Suarez and Roland So.

Last week, Suarez and So were among thousands who attended the groundbreaking of MonteMaria, a pilgrimage site for healing inspired by Fr. Suarez’ vision on a 33-hectare property donated by San Miguel Corp. in Alfonso, Cavite. At a Mass before the groundbreaking, Fr. Suarez said the site will feature the largest shrine in the world dedicated to the Blessed Mother, Our Lady of MonteMaria. The statue will rise to 33 storeys of 101 meters high as a symbol of Marian devotion and a landmark for a haven of peace.

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Renowned architect Nestor Mangio has designed a master plan for a 15-hectare pilgrimage site. Included in the design are a community of six chapels and rosary gardens linked by a kilometer-long, 10-meter wide procession road. A statue of St. Michael the Archangel at the grand colonnaded portico will welcome visitors. A cruciform-shaped 5,000-seat Basilica and six chapels will be home to a collection of the country’s religious images and devotions, including, the Sto. Niño from Cebu, the Black Nazarene from Quiapo, Our Lady of Perpetual Help from Baclaran, Our Lady of La Naval from Quezon City, Nuestra Senora de la Paz y Buen Viaje from Antipolo, Our Lady of Caysasay from Taal, Our Lady of Manaoag from Pangasinan, Our Lady of Penafrancia from Naga, Ina Poong Bato from Zamboanga and Our Lady of Piat from Cagayan Valley. There will also be life-size Stations of the Cross.

“MonteMaria will be a refuge where the tired soul withdraws to find peace and solace and thereby, discovers how the Blessed Mary comes to the aid of those in need of strength and consolation,” said Fr. Suarez. “MonteMaria will showcase God’s greatest gift to the Philippines – the faith of the Filipino – and will leverage this strength to improve the lives of people and finally achieve the Filipino people’s elusive dream of peace and prosperity. MonteMaria is a place to encounter God in a personal and powerful way; a place of healing, restoration and reconciliation, renewal and revival, a place to meet Jesus through the intercession of Our Lady of MonteMaria.”

MonteMaria’s original site was on a cliff in Batangas City overlooking the South China Sea. But as it became evident that certain individuals were out to take advantage of Fr. Suarez’ mission for their personal ends, the relocation to Alfonso proved providential. Through San Miguel Corp. chairman Eduardo Cojuangco and president Ramon Ang, MonteMaria found a new home that was once the Magnolia Dairy and Poultry Farm. The land was donated with 15 hectares set aside for the pilgrimage site and 18 hectares to be developed for retreat and priests’ facilities, a convent, a youth development center, a campsite, farming and livelihood centers.

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Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, Bishop Pedro Arigo of Puerto Princesa (former PBA cager John Arigo’s uncle) and Bishop Antonio Palang of Occidental Mindoro joined in the concelebration of the Mass before the groundbreaking. Later, Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle of Imus arrived at the reception. Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation president Greg Monteclaro and wife Paz made sure the event went like clockwork. Foundation board member Jun Tambunting said 11 shovels were used for the groundbreaking on Jan. 11, 2011.

Guests who graced the groundbreaking included Mrs. Gretchen O. Cojuangco, Rep. Arthur Yap (a former tennis age-grouper), Alfonso Mayor Virgilio Varias, Ambassador Antonio Cabangon-Chua, Greggy Araneta, Ernest Escaler, Glenda Barretto, Mila Tambunting Puyat, Miguel Puyat, Linda Villanueva and Tammy Campos.

Fr. Donnelly, 69, said it’s a blessing to witness the impact of Fr. Suarez’ ministry in the Philippines. He has been assigned to the country the last two years. Born in Ireland, Fr. Donnelly – like Fr. Suarez – loves sports. As a young boy, he admitted being a “wimp” and at 11, decided to get tough by learning how to box. Fr. Donnelly recalled getting whipped by bigger boys during sparring sessions in the gym but learned enough to bloody a school bully’s nose once and earn a draw in his only bout in an undefeated amateur boxing career. Fr. Donnelly, a priest for 31 years, said he used to play squash with Companions of the Cross founder Fr. Bedard and has dabbled in golf.