What is Grupo Da Imaculada?

GRUPO DA IMACULADA (The Group of the Immaculate) is a group of laics whose purpose is to divulge the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary according to Our Lady's request in Fatima.

Its action is put into practice by the edification of small monuments, all alike.

These monuments are not so big that one cannot approach them nor so small that people don't take notice of them.

In the inauguration day of the monument the lands, its people and families, are consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, being so encouraged to amend life, to say the Rosary and to attend The Five First Saturdays devotion, as it was also requested by Our Lady of Fatima.

In Portugal there are already 196 Monuments and many of the consecrations were presided by the Bishop of the respective Diocese.

Our group dedicates also a special attention to the Domestic Church.  With Our Lady's help, we have already succeeded in taking union and peace back into several families.

Our work is mainly directed to the needs of the present times.  Many Parish Priests have often reported that their parishioners' Sacramental life become more intense as well as Mass attending assiduity.

With so Many Graces obtained our work is already established in four continents.

America, Africa, East and West Europe, Asia, India and Philippines.

The Holy Virgin is our Mother.  So, if we want peace, She will help us over reaching it.

    The International President

+Dra.  Maria das Candeias Martins Morgado 

Message from GDI President in this Year of Faith (last Advent)

Dear Paul Sison,

I am sending a message to all Commissions in Portugal and abroad, which I request you to transmit to the members of the Commission.

I am very sorry not to have made visits so as join with you in moments of joy and meditate on the Message which Our Lady came to bring us in Fatima.

However my health does not permit me to travel.

I take this opportunity to mediate with you.

In this Year of Faith we must begin a new era, take up a new road, open new lands and new hearts to the Devotion of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

We should also bear witness, become living signs of the presence of God in the world.

We must be Christian symbols through receiving the Sacraments, Confession, at Holy Mass, in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, in the Rosary and Charity to our brothers.

Meditating on the Word of God recharges our Faith. We imitate Our Lady as she meditated on it.

Faith is believing that Jesus is on the altar at the moment of Consecration, it is not a symbol.

He himself is present, just as His heart is beating in the Tabernacle for us, awaiting our visit and company.

We imitate Blessed Francisco, the Little Fatima Shepherd, who spent his time in the company of Jesus in the Tabernacle.

Faith is being certain that God is with us in adversity and difficult moments.

We must give firm witness of Faith, be simple and discreet in our dress and resist the course of fashions, many of which are hardly ever dignified. How many souls are led to hell by these fashions.

Our body is a temple to the Holy Spirit, we cannot profane it.

This Year of Faith is a time for perfection.

Our Lady expects our collaboration and more and more dedication, for the world is running away and turning its’ back on God.

The world is going through difficult times, from natural catastrophes to the recent world crisis, caused by egoism, affluence and the craving of some, which all seems to be watchful preparation for man to come round, become aware of the limits of human nature and look for He who just awaits a simple act of repentance to pour down showers of graces and blessings, on each one of us.

In the prayer that the Angel taught the Little Shepherds we pray by steps: ” ...in reparation for insults, sacrileges and indifferences which offend Him”.

These indifferences offend Jesus.

In this uncontrolled rush into which our daily life has been transformed, how often do we pass a Church without even sparing a thought for the Tabernacle where, hidden in His humility, is He who suffered to death, and death on the cross, to save us, to bring us back to intimate union with the Father, to re-establish harmony among all creatures (poor as we are) with our Creator.

And how many times do we pass in front of a Tabernacle in total indifference, as if nothing or No one were there, when in fact the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ is really present there. 

It is the “hidden Jesus”, of Whom Blessed Francisco spoke so much and whom he so adored. Let us imitate him.

However this “hidden Jesus” came to Fatima to tell us, through the intermediary of His Most Holy Mother, how to combat this indifference, fruit of vanity, pride and man’s affluence.

It is devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Our Lady even said to the Little Shepherds: “God wishes to establish Devotion to My Immaculate Heart in the World” or, as little Jacinta said, “The Heart of Jesus wants the Immaculate Heart of Mary to be venerated at His side”.

Furthermore, Mary’s humility, simplicity and obedience burst from His Heart. That is why Our Lady said to Sister Lucia: “My Heart shall be your refuge and the way that leads you to God.”

The Monuments constructed by the Grupo da Imaculada, promoted all over the world, and also in our blessed land, are marks of an act of enormous spiritual dimension: the Consecration of lands, homes, families and every one of them to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

At the act of Consecration we begin by placing the lands, homes, families and our very selves under the protection of the Immaculate Heart of Mary: “My Heart shall be your refuge...”

Aware of our limits, of our misery, we place ourselves under the protection of She who is the Mediator of all graces, the omnipotent supplicant. Our Lady is thus Queen of this land: in humility, simplicity and obedience we walk in truth to sanctity, fulfilling the will of our Lord. Then, in the act of Consecration, we manifest our sincere and firm desire, that our heart be moulded by the Heart of Mary. Aware of our weaknesses, we offer ourselves to be, among men, a reflection of the humble, simple obedient Heart of Mary.

Finally in the act of Consecration, we choose the Immaculate Heart of Mary as the sure, safe way to lead us to God, as Our Lady promised Sister Lucia.

The image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, present in Her Monument, both night and day, reminds us each moment of the act of Consecration. In the middle of the land, in the middle of men, it is a permanent antenna reaching up to the Sky. How many souls in the light of day or the silence of night, have not already had recourse to this image and found in the Immaculate Heart of Mary consolation from their sufferings, a power to face anguish, a response to doubts! How many souls have been converted!

The Monument in our land is a treasure which should be revered and cared for with love and kindness.

I pray that God, in His infinite bounty, may shower upon us a rain of graces and send His Holy Spirit to illuminate, strengthen and encourage all those who work in the Grupo da Imaculada, which does not belong to us but to the Mother of Jesus, the Most Pure Holy Virgin Mary.

This time of Advent is an occasion to reflect seriously and profoundly on the mystery of the Redemption operated by the love of God. Each year we are invited to live Advent as a time of conversion, hope, more careful prayer of liberating expectation. We must liberate ourselves from the darkness to receive the Light which is the coming of the Messiah as Light of the world, Light of nations. Advent is a preparation for what is to come.

The great solution, the only solution for all problems, is love. The only way to unite families is love. The only way to grow in holiness is love. The only way to be happy is to love. “He who loves goes from death to Life” (Jo. 3, 14). He who loves is immersing himself in God, lives in continuous Easter, finds inner freedom, and is no longer a slave to sin. Only love frees, only love gives peace, only love generates happiness.

For love of us and to teach us to love, the Father sent His Son to earth and he was born in a Manger.

If God became Man, if the Word took on human form, if the eternal Son of the Father was born in a Manger, it was to teach us to love, to make us brothers, to live fraternal love.

To prepare ourselves for Christmas should mean to live the dimensions of love, open the hearts of others, to allow others to have a greater place in our lives, to seek those who need us and that which God gave us.

Christmas is the feast of love, Love will be born. The Word of the Father became man to bring the love of God to men. Christmas is precisely the birth of love made Child.

We need to rediscover the most profound meaning of Christmas as a feast of love.

During Advent, we should convert ourselves to love. Only thus will there be in every heart and in each family, true peace, joy and happiness. Only thus God is born in us and around us, and the love of God will fill us all with true and lasting happiness.

Christmas is the sharing of love, the way of the word and the friendly presence.

We ask the Mother of Jesus our Mother to help us to prepare our heart, and to purify it with every humility, charity and love, so that the Child may have a worthy place to be born and feel well in the royal palace which we prepare for Him.

With a friendly embrace in the united hearts of Jesus and Mary, I wish you all a Holy Christmas with the greatest of Blessings from the Child Jesus.

President of the Grupo da Imaculada

Angelina Pinto Leite

GRUPO DA IMACULADA: Why this Marian monument?

VISIT BY GRUPO DA IMACULADA. Pedro and Leonor Sottomayor of Fatima, Portugal when they visited the Marian Consecration Grounds in Marikina Heights, Marikina City, Philippines last December 3, 2009. With Paul Edward P. Sison of Grupo Da Imaculada Pilipinas and children from the surrounding community.

In the Universal Message given in Fatima, Our Lady ask for penitence, prayer and conversion.

In order to make it easier to feel the peace and joy that follow from ascesis, Our Lady reveals an unfailing way, which is a part of the Message of Fatima.

THE DEVOTION TO HER IMMACULATE HEART

The Lemma for the action of this group of prayer is the Holy Writ and the Message of Fatima.  In order to make The Immaculate Heart of Mary known, loved and venerated by everybody, and to set the example of its action, the group spreads the Monuments from the north to the south of Portugal and also abroad.  These small Monuments have a simple architecture, as simple and humble as the House of the Holy Family in Nazareth.

Everybody can be near the image of Our Lady and pray to Her at any time of the day or night, because at night the Monument is illuminated.  And so Our Lady also hears and takes care of Her children at any time of the day or night.

The Monuments, that are also spread abroad, are made only to venerate Our Lady and beg her Help.  That's why their structure is so simple, to avoid any distractions.

The Rosary round the Monument protects it and calls the attention to the Rosary saying, which is so necessary and that Our Lady recommended in all Her Apparitions in Fatima.

In the places where there is the Monument it increased both people's devoutness and the attending to the First Five Saturdays devotion.

Many people began to say the Rosary prayer and to attend The Sacraments.

There are some places where people pray near the Monument twice a day and some others where people go on pilgrimage to the Monument of the 13th every month.

There have been several pilgrimages in Portugal and abroad to the places where there are Monuments.  Our Lady has already granted many Graces and conversions.

We want to make the Message of Fatima known everywhere and also help everybody live it better and better.

Pray from the Heart

MARIAN MONUMENT OF GRUPO DA IMACULADA at Sto. Nino de Molino Parish in Bacoor, Cavite.

Mula nang magmensahe ang Mahal na Ina nung kanyang kaarawan nung September 8, 2000 … ay marami na ang nagpatutuo tungkol sa mga answered prayers.

Ang sabi ng isang boses ng babae nuon pagkatapos magdasal ng Rosaryo ang mga His Watchful Servants sa Marian Monument sa Marikina Heights ay ... kung sino man ang may problema ay lumapit lamang sa kanya at mag-“pray from the heart” at siya na ang bahala na mag-intercede sa kanyang anak na si Hesus.

Labing tatlong taon na ngayon ang nakalipas.

Nasa Iloilo kami ni Henry Ocier ngayong Lunes para bisitahin ang isang monumento sa Jaro Cathedral. Diumano, 14 years na itong bakante at walang imahen ng Immaculate Heart of Mary na dapat ay manggagaling sa Fatima, Portugal.

Mabuti na lang at naireport ito sa Grupo Da Imaculada (GDI) Facebook Page ni Remon Ramos ng Iloilo. Kung hindi ay di namin malalaman na meron din palang Marian Monument dito.

Ang mga imahen na ito ay regalo ni Sister Lucia Dos Santos, isa sa visionaries ng Fatima, Portugal sa Pilipinas nung 1999.

Sampung imahen ang pinadala niya nuon at ito ay enthroned na sa mga monumento sa:

1. Binakayan, Cavite (Our Lady of Fatima); 
2. Bacoor, Cavite (Sto. Nino de Molino); 
3. Cabuyao, Laguna (Saint Polycarp Parish); 
4. Sauyo, Novaliches (The Other Father Parish); 
5. San Lorenzo, Guimaras (St. Joseph Parish); 
6. Jakosalem, Cebu (Sacred Heart); 
7. Ozamis City, Misamis Occidental (San Lorenzo Ruiz); 
8. Marikina Heights, Marikina (St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows); 
9. Binondo, Manila (Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary); at 
10. Sagay, Camiguin (Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish).

May anim pa na sumunod at ito ay sa:

1. Sta. Rita, Pampanga (Virgen delos Remedios); 
2. Tamborong, Guimaras (St. John the Baptist); 
3. Tagaytay Highlands, Cavite (Ina ng Laging Saklolo);
4.  Odlot, Cebu (Our Lady of Remedios); 
5. Calbayog, Samar (Our Lady’s Nativity); at 
6. El Salvador, Misamis (Divine Mercy Shrine).

Kung meron palang taga Sta. Rita, Pampanga na may alam kung nasaan ang imahen ay ipaabot lamang sa amin sa 09176251963 para mabisita rin naming kasi wala ito nang puntahan ko sa Virgen delos Remedios.

Andito kami ngayon sa Jaro, Iloilo para magpaalam kay Archbishop Angel Lagdameo at para bumuo ng GDI Local Commission na mangangalaga ng monumento at magpapalaganap ng debosyon sa Immaculate Heart of Mary at sa Five First Saturdays.

Naiintindihan kita kapatid kung di ka pa naniniwala. Pero, kung wala ka na talagang matakbuhan sa iyong mga problema … subukan mo ang Ina ni Hesus at ating Mahal na Ina. Hinihintay ka niya ngayon.

Ang tanging hiling lang niya sa iyo, “Pray from the Heart.”

Nowhere else to turn to? No need to travel far for answered prayers

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY IMAGE. A gift from Sister Lucia of Fatima.

“Just pray from the heart.” 

This was the message, believed to be from the Blessed Virgin Mary, as spoken by a woman named Melanie during Mama Mary’s birthday last September 8, 1999.

The lady said, “If you have any problems, come to me … and, just pray from the heart. I will be the one to intercede for you with my Son.”

Our Rosary Cenacle group composed of four couples together with residents of Park 14 in Marikina Heights had just finished praying the Rosary and were preparing for a simple agape when I noticed Melanie in tears and distressed about what to do.

ANNUAL PROCESSION. The image is brought out only once a year during the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

“I am hearing a woman’s voice and she has a message she wants conveyed to the group,” she stuttered. (Later, she explained that this was the first time she experienced that so she did not know what to do because she was afraid that people might think she was crazy.)

Convinced that she was not faking this, I called the attention of the group who immediately faced her as words continuously flowed from her supposedly from the Blessed Mother who thanked everyone gathered, especially the lady volunteers who clean the Marian Monument and its surroundings everyday.

That was twelve years ago. Today, we hear of many testimonials about how prayers were answered after praying from the heart here at the Marian Consecration Grounds located at Park 15 (Hardin ng Bayan) in Marikina Heights.

MARIAN CONSECRATION GROUNDS, Hardin ng Bayan, Park 15, Marikina Heights

Answered prayers

One particular story stands out. My first cousin, Bong Buendia, was diagnosed with cancer by the country’s top oncologist in St. Luke’s Hospital on a Wednesday more than 6 years ago. We accompanied him and his entire family to the “shrine” on Saturday. We prayed the rosary around noon. He prayed from the heart as instructed. Two days after on a Monday, doctors could not believe that there was no trace of cancer. The best oncologist could not have committed a mistake, they thought. Thinking the second test was a fluke, it had to take three more tests before they finally acknowledged on the fifth time that the cancer was totally gone. That was a Saturday – a First Saturday!

Another testimonial comes from my dad, Teodoro. You know how lawyers are when it comes to religion. So, it was unusual coming from him. Especially, since he led a hedonistic lifestyle during his heyday. It was the first anniversary of the “shrine” then (June 2000) and he was pushing the cart where the image was during the procession. Suddenly, he experienced a pain so intense – because of his gout – that he thought of not continuing with the procession and to walk back instead where the Mass was going to be held. However, he was inspired to say internally, “Mama Mary, I will continue with the procession and offer the pain. But please, touch my life.” It was only three weeks after when he realized that he could make do without the maintenance medicines he took for gout and hypertension. My dad’s conversion happened at the age of 69. He is now 80. He has been praying the rosary 4 times a day and attending daily Mass ever since.

Word of mouth

DEVOTEES PRAYING FOR INTERCESSION

There are times we chance upon strangers praying before the 3-foot image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Many of them learned about the “shrine” from others whose prayers were answered after visiting the Marian Consecration Grounds.

One lady in particular said she came all the way from Mindoro. I asked her how she came to know about the “shrine” … a sick relative told them back home about how he was healed after visiting this place in Marikina.

It truly warms the heart to see people from all walks of life walking towards the image and expressing their devotion in many different ways. There is a sampaguita vendor who offers a few strands of what she sells and leaves it at the Marian Monument very early in the morning before she starts her daily routine.

AMIDST THE TREES. Just like in Fatima, Portugal where the 1917 apparitions occurred.

There is a couple who bring their own cleaning apparatus all the way from Bgy. Parang, about 2 kilometers away, to wash and wipe the monument, clean the glass, and spruce up the landscaping. We got to know the man who was an ex-convict. You could see that what he was doing came from the heart and that he did it out of love. He passed away two years ago.

All these devotees … through word of mouth alone.

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION. The Knights of Columbus, officers of the Phil. National Police, and the Bureau of Fire Protection join residents and devotees during the annual procession.

A gift from Fatima, Portugal

MOTHER AND SON. Fr. Tony, Parish priest of St. Gabriel during regular First Saturday Mass.

The image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was a gift of Sister Lucia of Fatima, Portugal – the only living visionary of the 1917 apparitions and the miracle of the sun, at that time (June 1999). She sent ten images for installation in the Philippines through Grupo Da Imaculada which was based in Fatima. We were able to have one installed here in Marikina thru the kindness of Monsignor Josefino Ramirez, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Manila.

Grupo Da Imaculada is assisted by His Watchful Servants Foundation, Marian Foundation, and St. Joseph Apostolate Center in this particular shrine.

One of our spiritual directors, Fr. Lester Louis Niez of Alagad ni Maria, advised us to document all testimonials of answered prayers and miracles so it can eventually be submitted to the Bishop of Antipolo and to the Vatican.

It is so easy to get to this Marian sanctuary. It is just right across the C&B Circle Mall and diagonal to the St. Scholastica’s Academy campus in Marikina Heights.

You don’t have to go all the way to Piat, Cagayan or to the Our Lady of Manaoag Shrine in Pangasinan to pray for healing or any other petition. We have a place just right here in Metro Manila where prayers are easily answered … if one prays from the heart.

So why don’t you drop by one of these days?

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN ANNUAL CONSECRATION OF MARIKINA. (L-R) Bgy. Captain Edwin Adigue, CHief of Police Col. Gabriel Lopez, Vice Mayor Fabian Cadiz, ex-Kap. Raul Taytayan, Mayor Del de Guzman during the Mass consecrating the city to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

[Click on LOCATION for map.]

(Email: paulsison@ideasman.ph)