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S. MARIA AUREA ENDERIO MACAPANAS, RVM
(July 4, 1935 – July 30, 2021)
S. Maria Aurea Enderio Macapanas who hailed from Butig, Salcedo, Eastern Samar was the third child of seven in the second nuptial of her father, Longinos Macapanas with Gertrudes Enderio. She had five other siblings in the first nuptial, and they were united as a family. Her father was a hard-working farmer, skilled carpenter, blacksmith and fisherman while her mother was a dedicated housewife and a caring mother to her children. She was well-loved and respected by her children and their half siblings.
The young Aurea and her siblings grew up in a religious and prayerful environment. Praying at dawn in honor of the Holy Trinity and holy rosary at night time was their everyday family devotion. Her family, as she described it, was simple and poor but rich in integrity, dignity, kindness, and love for service. For S. Aurea, the home where she grew up was a seedbed of goodness, honesty and fear of the Lord.
S. Maria Aurea was baptized on July 27, 1935 at the Immaculate Conception Parish, Guiuan, Eastern Samar by Msgr. Donato Guimbaolibot. Her baptismal name was Laureana, but her teachers at school called her Aurea. She was called Auring at home. She was confirmed on December 07, 1954 by Bishop Miguel Acebedo at the Parish Church in Guiuan. She received the sacrament of reconciliation and first communion on March 12, 1945. It was her mother who prepared her for these sacraments.
She finished her elementary education at Butig Elementary School. She was happy being an honor pupil and active devotee of Our Lady of Lourdes and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. She recalled that she spent her Saturdays especially first Saturdays for her devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She was also a devotee of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. As a child she also loved to play, swim and be with friends, but she would always find time to join the daily Mass.
She spent her secondary education at Assumption College, now St. Mary’s Academy of Guiuan. She did not finish her schooling as scheduled because she was deeply affected by the death of her brother who was so dear to her. The family also suffered poverty due to typhoon Amy. Later in her life, determined to finish her education amidst financial difficulties, she applied as a working student to the RVM Sisters at Assumption College where she finished her secondary education. Then, she took up Elementary Teachers’ Certificate (ETC) which delighted her because she loved to teach.
Her vocation initially started during her primary grades ignited by a poster showing images of Sisters demonstrating loving service. Her exposure to the lives of the Sisters as a working student nurtured her vocation to become like them. She admired the exemplary lives of S. Maria Fidela Angeles and S. Maria Mercedes Barbasa in her high school days.
S. Maria Rebecca Kuinasala journeyed with S. Maria Aurea until she was accepted to the aspirancy on May 30, 1960. She entered postulancy on July 31, 1961 and noviceship on February 02, 1962. She made her first profession of vows on February 02, 1964 and pronounced her final vows on October 11, 1970. She celebrated with jubilation her silver jubilee on February 02, 1989, golden jubilee on February 02, 2014.
She finished her bachelor’s degree in education and catechetical courses during her Juniorate years. She served the Church through the congregation’s education ministry as a Christian Living teacher, school principal, treasurer and local econome. She was also a local superior to our communities. She was involved in the programs of the Diocese of Borongan as a Diocesan Catechetical Coordinator for seven years.
S. Maria Aurea’s life was a mixture of joys and sorrows. She kept the fire of vocation burning in her life of prayer and service. Every day of her life, she strived to overcome her weaknesses for her to be an authentic follower of Jesus Christ.
She is lovingly remembered as self-sacrificing, industrious, obedient, kind, simple, humble, and patient. Her life of prayer was inspiring as a young Sister under her care commented. She was also diligent and dedicated in her work. She was well appreciated as a loving teacher to the children.
Her death surprised many for she was still active in the ministry. Truly, death is like a thief in the night. We are saddened to know that she succumbed to acute respiratory failure (Covid -19). She joined the bosom of the loving Father on July 30, 2021 at 11:29 in the morning.
Thank you so much, S. Maria Aurea for the eighty-six years of beautiful life you had lived and fifty-seven (57) of which as Religious of the Virgin Mary.
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, St. Joseph and Venerable Ignacia del Espiritu Santo welcome you in the heavenly abode with fullness of joy and peace. May St. Ignatius of Loyola whose memorial we celebrate today accompany you in God’s eternal Kingdom.
Go in peace, S. Aurea. Your legacy of exemplary life will always remain in our hearts. Rest assured of our prayers. Please pray for us as we continue to live life’s uncertainties. Farewell, we love you.
Eternal rest grant unto S. Maria Aurea, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May she rest in peace.
Amen.
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