THE Filipino Catholic layman, Bro Carmelo Cortez, who has been known for the "miraculous appearances" of sacred images on rose petals, told Asian Journal Wednesday night he believes that the recent typhoons devastating the Philippines is "God’s wake-up call for Filipinos to change. It should be an eye opener for us all."
For the past several weeks, Bro Carmelo has been visiting several Catholic parishes in major US cities where he conducts healing services and gives away rose petals with sacred images. Last October 14, Bro Carmelo was at the St. Anthony Church in El Segundo, near the Los Angeles Airport. The church was fully packed with multi-racial Catholics, all eager to be prayed for by Bro Carmelo and to receive the "miraculous petals which manifest detailed images of the Christ, Mary and other saints". Long before the mass began at 7pm, the church was "standing-room only", with people spilling over into the foyer. Many came in with sick friends and relatives, some on wheelchairs, to be prayed over for healing after the Mass.
In an exclusive interview with the Asian Journal after the healing service, which lasted for more than three hours, Bro Carmelo talked about the recent devastations happening in the Philippines. "Sa panahong ito, huwag dapat nating sisihin ang Diyos kung bakit nangyari ito sa atin. It should be an eye opener for us," said Bro Carmelo. One of the messages he has been giving is the need to have righteous people in government. "Huwag nating ibenta ang ating boto. Dapat mag-elect tayo ng maayos na namumuno sa gobierno. Baka yung mga dapat nagamit para hindi tayo nabaha ng ganuon eh yun ang pinambayad sa ating boto," he added.
During the service, Cortez related how his ministry all began. In June 1991, living in a squatters’ area in San Francisco Del Monte in Quezon City, Carmelo was given a picture of the Madonna, which he placed on an altar. The following night he heard a soft voice and the sound of beautiful music. Cortez followed the voice and found it was emanating from the picture. The Madonna was shedding tears of blood and the baby Jesus in the altar appeared to be catching the tears with one hand. The picture was later placed on a church altar, and a relative of Cortez was healed of a fever. Two days later, Cortez said he was again awakened by beautiful music, and the Madonna began giving him messages. Since that time, Cortez has seen and talked to the Madonna more than 100 times.
Cortez said the main message of the Madonna was "Pray for the priests. Pray for the Catholic church. Prayer is the most important thing in life." Sacred images appear on rose petals that Cortez has touched – images of the Madonna, the Sacred Heart, Mother and Child, St. Joseph and Child, St Francis of Assisi, and many others.
Bro Carmelo left for the Philippines after the service in LA, grateful for the donations the parishes he visited gave for the victims of the typhoons, especially those belonging to his parish in Malolos, Bulacan.
The visionary healer has a radio program on Sundays at 12 noon to 1pm at Radio Veritas 846 AM band. n
( Published October 17, 2009 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. A6 )
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