Stories of Faith & Miracle with Aranzazu

The people of San Mateo have always had a natural connection with Our Lady of Aranzazu. Stories of phenomena and miracles, of faith and devotion are never amiss. Here are two of devotees of Aranzazu with their stories of faith and devortion

Sylvia Salen

Presently a member of the Ministry of Lectors at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Aranzazu, Sister Sylvia Salen has experienced a miracle by Aranzazu. She claims to have Our Lady heal her aneurysm.

It was the year 2011, the 31st of August. At around 4 in the afternoon Sis. Sylvia was preparing for the six o’clock mass. When she was about to take a dip inside the bathroom, she suddenly went deaf. Her whole body began to get numb, and she started to have difficulty breathing.  Sis. Sylvia immediately thought that this will be the end of her life. She was rushed to the hospital where Sylvia, together with her child, found out about her condition – a 50-50 chance of living and dying. Sylvia needed to undergo an operation. That’s when the miracle happened.

Inside the emergency room, Sister Sylvia Salen saw a light while lying on the hospital bed, still on a comatose. “Pero gumgalaw siya wala siyang image wala siyang lahat basta maliwang na maliwanag na ang pakiramdam ko ay mainit na hangin bumubuga sakin para akong hinihipan.. mula ulo hanggang paa, na mainit siya.”

However, that was not the only strange thing that happened. Apparently, the nerve inside Sister’s brain exploded, and all of the blood in that part went down. But then the diagnosis also found this white stuff that strangely absorbed all the blood and saved Sylvia’s life. Even the doctors could not explain where the skin-like white part came from.

The last miracle that Sister Sylvia experienced was hearing her name called.  “Tinawag ang pangalan ko. Sylvia. Hindi ko alam kung sino yon. Nasa room na ako ng recovery. tinawag ang pangalan ko, Sylvia sabi niya.”

Blessiline Alvero

Aside from healing the sick, Our Lady of Aranzazu has touched other people’s lives in other ways. One of them is bringing organization members closer to her ideals. This is the story of Sister Blessiline, a novice of Religious of the Assumption.

Since she was a young girl who grew up in the Aranzazu grounds, Blessiline has been an active part of the Parish Youth Ministry. She became a coordinator for PYM. “Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin ko. Ang mahal na Birheng Aranzazu ang nagbigay sa akin, ang nag-udyok sa akin para gawin kung ano ang ninanais ng Panginoon para sa mga kabataang Aranzazu.”

Her humble beginnings led her to keep her faith and to be closer to Our Lady of Aranzazu. For years Sister Bless was the coordinator for PYM. Years later she responded to her calling to become a nun. The service in the parish played a big role in developing the faith that she already has. “…Dahil iyon kay Mama Mary na siyang nagsimulang magtanim ng butil ng pananampalataya sa puso ko, na iyon ay magpasahanggang ngayon ay dala-dala ko at I think, hanggang sa hinaharap sa kung ano man ang mangyari sa akin, iyon ang baon ko.”
        These are only two of the many inspiring stories touched by our dear Our Lady of Aranzazu. Their faith, love and devotion moved them to where they are right now. (Khristine Tuting)