"Healing priest" witnesses Palma installation

CEBU, Philippines - Internationally acclaimed healing priest, Fr. Fernando Suarez was in Cebu yesterday to witness the installation of the new Archbishop of the Cebu Archdiocese, his grace, Jose Palma.

But Suarez will conduct healing masses in Cebu on May yet due to his tight schedule. He sadly announced to Cebuano believers that he could not stay longer because he has other commitments including schedules of healing masses in Luzon.

Suarez is currently based in Imus, Cavite after years of service in Canada. He often accepts invitations from different parishes within the country and abroad to share his gift of healing to those who believe and in need.

Last year, he held three healing masses here attended by thousands of Cebuanos.

Suarez’s Ministry began seven years ago, a year after he became a priest at the age of 35. But he discovered his gift of healing when he was 16 years old.

The discovery of his special gift was accidental — his prayer made a paralyzed woman walk once more.

But Suarez did not heed God’s call immediately until after five years of working as a chemical engineer.

“The call for priesthood was there since the beginning. But I set it aside to give way to the desires of my parents for me to become a chemical engineer. I worked for five years and after giving way to them, I knew it’s time for me to do this,” Suarez said.

Suarez had shared his gift to close to five million believers from all over the world.

Since not all could attend the mass, he also has a television coverage every Sunday at 6:00 a.m. in ABS-CBN and TV 5.

 “I celebrate the mass then after the mass, I pray for their healing,” Suarez said, explaining how he goes about the healing process.

“Just be open to God and God will do the rest,” he added.

 Suarez hails from Batangas. He was born in 1967, earned his Chemical Engineering degree and went to Winnipeg, Canada in 1995 where he pursued his priesthood.

He founded the Mary Mother of the Poor, a charitable organization that aims to “continuously seek holiness and help the poor.” (FREEMAN)