IN MEMORIAM

S. MARIA AQUILINA BOJA COSARE, RVM

(October 19, 1924 – May 27, 2020)

S. Maria Aquilina Boja Cosare who was born on October 19, 1924 in Tubigon, Bohol was the 12th of thirteen children (five boys and eight girls) of Andres Cosare and Mercedes Boja. She was baptized three (3) days after her birth and was confirmed in May 1930 at the age of six. Her name was taken from St. Aquilinus, a martyr.

The young Aquilina had good memories of her siblings and dedicated parents. She was blessed with happy, loving and religious family, albeit it all started out of obedience of her parents to her grandparents. Her father and mother both had plans to enter religious life but they were forced to receive the sacrament of matrimony to honor a pre-arranged marriage. Through time, the marriage that was built on obedience blossomed to one that was enveloped with love and bore 13 children.

Her childhood and teen-age life were confined in the parish work. She had her first communion there, an experience she considered very significant for she felt the coming of our Lord in her life. In those years of her youth, she was an active participant of the “cartilla,” catechism classes, holy Masses, Marian devotions and religious organizations. It was also during those years that she met three Spanish Dominican Sisters who opened a vocational school in their parish. The image of a “madre” was imprinted in her young heart. It was her initial awareness of the call of God to religious life.

The young lovely Aquilina was always requested by her married brothers and sisters to stay and spend her years of studies with them. She was with some of them in Mindanao when the war broke out, and together they experienced hardships and lived with fear for almost five years. The liberation made them live a normal life again and she, together with her younger sister, continued her studies at Tubigon Catholic High School ran by the Society of the Divine Word (SVD). Her love for catechetical work for children was ignited since as part of her exposure, she had to teach catechism in public schools. She completed her secondary education in May 1948, then she finished her Elementary Teacher’s Certificate or E.T.C. at St. Joseph College, Tagbilaran City where she encountered the Holy Spirit Sisters who again stirred her call to religious life. She was edified by their lives and she took it as her inspiration in her studies and prayer life.

After her graduation, she was offered a place in a high-paying public school, but she declined the offer as she wished to be in a Catholic school in order to nourish her vocation. She accepted the offer of the Holy Spirit Sisters to teach in one of their schools in Loon, Bohol. After five years of teaching, she was invited by the Sisters to enter their Congregation. She was hesitant because she felt inferior to be with Germans, but she still submitted all the requirements. She was not accepted because of age limit; she was thirty years old, then. She did not know any other congregation so she started praying to the Holy Spirit whom she considered as her Guide and Consoler. The Mother Provincial of the Holy Spirit told her to try the Religious of the Virgin Mary and she was given its complete address. There was joy in her heart.

After supporting her younger sister who studied dentistry, she decided to apply to the RVM congregation and was accepted. She left home even though her father was sick and her other siblings were against her decision. Her devotion to the Holy Spirit was very strong. She would always run to Him for guidance when faced with family and personal concerns. This devotion strengthened her in those trying times and enabled her to respond to the call of her vocation.

S. Maria Aquilina was accepted to postulancy on August 14, 1955 and was invested to noviceship on February 01, 1956. She pronounced her temporary profession on February 02, 1958. She made her perpetual profession on February 02, 1964. With much gratefulness, she celebrated her silver jubilee on February 02 1983, golden jubilee on February 02, 2008 and diamond jubilee on February 02, 2018.

She generously and faithfully served the Congregation and the Church as Catechist in the public schools in Cagayan de Oro City, as Christian Living teacher, Administrator, Local Econome, Local Superior, and as a kindergarten teacher for so many years in RVM Schools. She manifested her strong love and dedication for the poor and street children when she worked for the Christian Children’s Foundation or CCF at Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City, Bacusanon, Bukidnon and Immaculate Conception College, now, University of the Immaculate Conception, Davao City. She also served the poor children under the Educational Research and Development Assistance or ERDA at Claveria Mission House, Misamis Oriental and Maryknoll High School, Cateel, Davao Oriental. She was with the abandoned and street children at Gloria Christi Regis Center, Tagum City and was involved in the Community Extension Services of St. Mary’s Academy, Midsayap and Our Lady of Fatima Academy, Davao City. She was a community worker among indigenous groups -- the Manobos and the Tirurays in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat.

S. Maria Aquilina who was a faithful devotee to the Holy Spirit made evident in her missionary life the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit especially the gifts of understanding, counsel, fortitude and piety and the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. It is noteworthy that the day of her passing away was the sixth day of prayer in preparation for the Solemnity of the Holy Spirit. Those who took care of her at St. Joseph Home admired her kindness, joyful spirit and sensitivity to the needs of others. She was well loved by the nurses and caregivers. She made their load light and bearable with her merry heart. She will always remain an inspiration to them.

S. Maria Aquilina breathed her last at 3:09 in the morning of May 27, 2020 due to acute myocardial infarction.

Thank you S. Maria Aquilina, for the ninety-five (95) fruitful earthly years, with sixty-two (62) of which as Religious of the Virgin Mary.

Thank you for your evangelizing presence. Your hard-work, simplicity, humility, child-likeness, love and compassion are indeed remarkable. Your calm and cheerful countenance reflected your inner goodness.

We will surely miss you, our dear S. Aquing. May the Holy Triune God, the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit enfold you with eternal peace, love and joy. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, St. Aquilinus and Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo joyfully welcome you in God’s heavenly abode. Farewell, our dear S. Aquing, S. Smile. We love you!

Eternal rest grant unto S. Maria Aquilina, O Lord, 

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace. 

Amen.