The story of the Original Image of Mary Mediatrix

The image of Mary Mediatrix which the Visayan sculptor Irineo Cristobal made, was carved out of "Batikuling" wood.The image of Mary Mediatrix which the Visayan sculptor Irineo Cristobal made, was carved out of "Batikuling" wood. Beautiful nose..........

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The Image of Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace (Based on the book Wonders of Lipa, written By Dr. Francisco Villanueva) On Friday, November 26, 1948, my brother Maj. Jose C. Villanueva and I went to visit the shop of the Visayan sculptor, Irineo Cristobal, a native of Banga Capiz, located at No. 431 Evangelista St. Quiapo Manila, who made the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace, now worshipped by the faithful in the Chapel of the Monastery of the Carmelites Sisters of Lipa, Batangas. How did you happen to make the statue? I inquired from Irineo Cristobal. Cristobal replied: Monsignor Alfredo Obviar, Auxillary Bishop of Lipa, accompanied by three outside Carmelite Sisters came once during the month of September, 1948, to my workshop in

Manila and ordered me to make the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace in accordance with the description contained in a piece of paper written in pencil by Sister Teresita Castillo. Then demonstrated to me a piece of paper which read as follows: Face not too round, not perfect oval, smiling with gay eyes looking forward. Fair complexion, dark eyes, small mouth, beautiful nose, black hair, coming out of her white veil of her forehead. Hands extended in an attitude of writing, rosary on her right hand hanging. Feet bare stepping on a clouds. Body not thin, not stout Dress all white reaching to the feet; round neck, double sleeves, one tight (under) the other wider, narrow white belt, white long veil reaching the feet. It falls graciously on her shoulders, more open than the veil of our lady of Fatima. Immediately the sculptor Cristobal stated to do the work which lasted several days. After the work was finished, Cristobal took the statue to the Carmelite Convent and delivered it to the Mother Prioress, Mother Mary Cecilia Zialcita. After a few days the statue was returned to Cristobal together with a letter of the Mother Prioress, asking for some corrections to be made on it. Copy of the letter of the Mother Prioress, originally written in longhand and ink, read thus: Carmelite Monastery City of Lipa October 18, 1948 Pax Cristi! Dear Mr. Cristobal: May Carmels Queen and Mother ever bless you! We are returning the statue of Our Blessed Mother, begging you to make the following corrections: 1.The mouth the corners are too curved upward. The upper lip is too swollen; the lower lip is too thin ( we use watercolor to improve it) Please make it a little more smiling. 2.The left hand; raise a little high as the right hand. The middle finger is broken. 3.The belt reduce to one half inch width. More gatherings in the dress on the breast.. 4.The eyes darker, blackish. The dress whiter. Please remark the cracks on the clouds and the right side of the mantle near the hair. All the rest is well. We shall pray much, Mr. Cristobal that you may make her beautiful. Many thanks in advance.

With Prayers and Gratitude in Corde Jesus. Sr. Mary Cecillia de Jesus OCD

Prioress The retouching of the statue lasted two days. So according to the sculptor the whole work lasted 22 days. As it stands now, explains the sculptor, The statue represents the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace, as described by Sister Teresita Castillo when she appeared before her. The most important changes were the length of the ribbons and other minor details. The statue made the image without the rosary, which was later provided by the Mother Prioress, when the image reached the monastery in Lipa. Irineo Cristobal is the same sculptor who made the other statues in several churches and convents of Lipa and Manila. Cristobal is a very devout Catholic, and he believes in the authenticity and the veracity of the Divine Apparitions and in the Miracle of the rose petals. He told us that he made the statue without any model. The statue of the Blessed Virgin was placed in an open truck and taken to Lipa by Maximo Mendoza. It is said that at the time there was rain, but, whenever the statue passed, the rain stopped. So that the dress of the Blessed Virgin could not become wet before arriving at Lipa. This photo has notes. Move your mouse over the photo to see them.

MEDIATRIX 1948

says:

Here is the original image as it look like in 1948

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