"The human mind plans the way

but the Lord directs the steps."

— Proverbs 16:9

Prayer: "Thank You, God, for where I am today. And for where I will be tomorrow and the next. Help me to lean on Your perfect will and understanding through all the seasons of my life. In Jesus name, Amen."

— Sent by Bea Azcuna

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I have been on a spiritual and emotional roller coaster the past week, following priest-healer Fr. Fernando Suarez in several mass and healing sessions, seeing the Holy Spirit at work through him.

My regular readers will remember I have written several columns on Fr. Suarez, who, I am fully convinced, has a genuine gift from the Holy Spirit.

This 39-year-old Taaleno with a Canadian twang is a tireless worker in the Lord’s vineyard, laying hands and praying over thousands of people daily. He does not leave a session while there are still people to be prayed over.

Last July 26, he caused a massive traffic jam around Forbes Park church that stayed knotted for several hours. Over a thousand people came to the 7:30 p.m. mass, many of them arriving as early as 4 p.m to be assured of seats.

This led to temper tantrums among some regular Forbes Park 6 p.m. mass goers who were miffed that they couldn’t get seats in their own parish!

The sponsoring community, the Bukas Loob sa Diyos, were themselves edged out of seats by the crowds that didn’t stop pouring into the church, leaving them miffed, too.

One "elder" blurted out to me when I asked how we could get into the sacristy to give Fr. Suarez his bottles of water, that "This was supposed to be a private mass for our community!"

But Fr. Fernando Suarez has ceased to be a "private" priest. While he tried hard to hide his healing charism, it is now known and being shared with everyone.

He did not plan it to be this way, but the Lord has his own steps.

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That evening, we had come from a healing session and early dinner at Via Mare in Rockwell with him and on the way to the church, we were caught in horrendous traffic jam on EDSA. We found out the reason when we got to the corner of Mckinely road.

No one could enter Forbes as the vehicles were headed towards the church.

"Hala ka, Father," we teased him, "It is your fault that there is this monstrous traffic jam!"

"No it’s your fault for featuring me on television and writing about me," he shot back. "But I am glad that all these people want to feel God’s love for them!"

So, there we were, stuck in our vehicle in the middle of EDSA and Mckinely road for half an hour. He was already late for the 7:30 mass and so he decided to walk to church. Walk with him we did, weaving in and out of the stalled vehicles, making sure we wouldn’t trip on the uneven sidewalk.

The church was filled to the rafters with many people unable to get in. There was palpable tension when Fr. "Edo" finally walked in for the processional at 8 p.m., everyone eager to get a glimpse of him, some standing on the pews as he is not a tall man, and the sea of people hid him from those not near the center aisle.

We barely managed to squeeze into the church through a side door.

The homily of Fr. "Edo" was beautiful, focusing on Jesus ‘ love for us and the wonderful miracle of receiving him in the Holy Eucharist. (I do hope people listened to his homily and not merely went expecting spectacular miracles. They did happen, but Fr. Edo wants the message of love for the Eucharist to be absorbed more.)

The healing lasted till way past midnight and Fr. Edo left the church close to 3 p.m. He was up early the next day to have breakfast with Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales in his residence and then it was another mass at the historic Manila Cathedral.

Things were quieter at the Cathedral because the mass was only announced the night before. Still the cavernous church was almost full and the sick lined up in orderly fashion.

Again, the Holy Spirit was at work through him and almost all who were prayed over "rested" in the Spirit.

Many who have been healed shared testimonials on the spot. But here are some written ones asked from the crowds at random:

Dr. Ching Manalo of Ayala Alabang Village had a cataract operation on her left eye in July, 2004. It was not successful. Then she had a glaucoma and corneal irritation which made her vision very difficult and hazy.

In July 2005, she had a corneal transplant which made her see but uncomfortably. She could not read small letters and her left eye was always itchy.

"On July 19, 2006, she attended the healing mass of Fr. Suarez and was prayed over. I immediately experienced a vast improvement of my left eye as I could then see all the statues of saints in the church which I wasn’t able to before. I was overwhelmed with joy although I initially thought it was only my imagination and wistful thing that I was cured.

On Tuesday, July 26, I was again prayed over by Fr. Suarez and he told me not to doubt. I "rested" in the spirit after he prayed over me. Then I tried to read the small letters of a newspaper and I could see the small letters!

That afternoon I went to my eye doctor for my monthly checkup and he was very happy and satisfied with the great improvement of my eye. He then advised me to stop all my eye drops; that I will see him every three months instead of monthly; and I no longer need prescription glasses!

I use a disposable pair now and am very comfortable with it. Praise the Lord!"

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Gregoria Benito went to the healing mass at the Manila Cathedral in pain because of her osteoporosis. Now she feels "relieved" of her pains and walks straight!

Bella Pamintuan of Tayuman, 77 years old, had an abnormal heartbeat. After Fr. Edo prayed over her, she felt greatly relieved and no longer had palpitations.

Marissa Cruz has breast cancer and toxic goiter. After being prayed over, she feels "I am healed!" Her painful shoulder and migraine has also been healed, she said.

Daffodil Pastor of Project 6, Q.C., said: "I thank and praise the Lord for healing me of my abdominal pains, stiff neck muscles, chest pains and in my right eye !"

His healing touch has not been confined to making the deaf hear, the blind see and the crippled walk, as the testimony of one Catalina Adocio, nine years old who was suffering from tonsilitis that morning in the Manila Cathedral showed.

She was in pain but after Fr. Suarez prayed over her, her pain disappeared and when she looked into the mirror to see her inflamed tonsils, she saw normal looking tonsils. Yes, God is good!

Visit Fr. Edo’s website at hhtp//www.father-fernando.com.