IN MEMORIAM

S. MARIA BEATRIZ DE AQUINO, RVM

(December 02, 1923 – December 22, 2019)

It was Sunday evening of December 02, 1923 when Epitacia Lastimosa of Tabunok, Talisay City, Cebu gave birth to a baby girl, later named Beatriz. At the time of her birth her father, Teofilo Buslon of Sierra-Bullones, Bohol, was still a Law student and could not commit to marrying her mother, Epitacia, who was the eldest and the only girl of eleven children. This situation brought pain to her maternal grandparents, who were deeply saddened and disheartened to the point that Beatriz and her mother were not welcomed in their home. This prompted them to stay with Beatriz’ grand-aunt, whom she called Nanay Onciang, and with her uncle Pomping, who took care of them.

Young Beatriz’ mother, grandaunt and uncle were instrumental in nurturing the seeds of her religious vocation. Her mother was a devotee of Our Lady of Sorrows and Our Lady of Lourdes whom she believed had strengthened her as she faced life’s ordeal. Nanay Onciang was a very pious woman who taught her how to pray and actively joined the celebration of the Eucharist. His loving uncle, Pomping, became a father figure to her.

While Beatriz was in second grade, her Nanay Onciang died, resulting to their transfer to Toledo, Cebu and be with her grandparents, who, by then, graciously accepted them. After three years, her mother got married to a very kind man who showed much concern on the young Beatriz, who was then in first year high school. She had three siblings with her step-father. She also had fourteen siblings with her biological father. According to one of her siblings, Beatriz as a youth was a role model in their small town. During the war and evacuation time, she would not join her family especially if the area had no chapel or church where she can pray and join the celebration of the Mass.

S. Beatriz recounted that her vocation started when she was still in the womb of her mother, who offered her to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It blossomed as she developed a great love and devotion to Mary. As a little girl, she expressed this love by wearing the habit of Our Lady of Lourdes and praying the Holy Rosary daily.

As young as grade five (5) she already expressed her desire to be a Sister. She clearly remembered that she put a picture of a teaching nun in her notebook. She got exposed to the Maryknoll Sisters when she stayed in their dormitory while studying in the University of the Philippines, Manila. Another encounter she had with the Sisters was with the RVM Sisters in Notre Dame of Marbel, Cotabato where she taught Science. She was inspired by the life of witness of M. Maria Ronquillo, S. Maria Felicitacion Toledo, and S. Maria Josefa Cervania that moved her to be one of them. Initially, she liked to be a Franciscan who minister orphanages, but she chose to join the Religious of the Virgin Mary with the guidance of Bishop Gerard Mongeau, who encouraged her to join the RVM’s being a Filipino Congregation.

Her mother, however, did not concede to her decision of living a religious life. Again, she prayed hard to Our Lady of Fatima in her moment of discernment. With Mary’s intercession, she got the courage to leave her mother and other family members despite their hesitancy to give her up for the Lord. She entered the door of the RVM convent on July 02, 1950 on the feast of the Our Lady of Visitation.

S. Maria Beatriz was accepted to postulancy on August 14, 1950. She entered Noviceship on February 01, 1951 and pronounced her temporary profession on February 02, 1953. She made her perpetual profession on August 15, 1958, celebrated her silver jubilee on February 02, 1978 and her golden jubilee on February 03, 2003.

Before her noviceship formation, she was advised by the late M. Maria Andrea Montejo to change her family name. Out of the several names of the Saints, she picked the name of St. Thomas Aquinas or San Tommaso d’ Aquino in Italian. She was happy but also hesitant to accept because she knew that St. Thomas was brilliant and a holy Saint and she felt unworthy of his name. From then on, in obedience she used De Aquino instead of Lastimosa.

Her spiritual and mental brilliance was fully used as she served the Congregation and the Church as school administrator for thirty-six (36) years and as Prefect of Studies in the Visayas Region for six years. After her long years in the education ministry, she volunteered to be in the social ministry. Her desire was granted, and she devoted herself to serving the poor for nine (9) years. She was involved with Caritas, Cebu for two (2) years and then seven (7) years in the dormitory ministry. St. Joseph Home became her residence for eight years because of her health condition from 2011 to 2019.

She recalled that one special gift she received from God was the time spent with her biological father. He and his wife invited her for a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, Fatima, Portugal, Rome and the Holy Land where her love for Jesus and Mary was intensified. She also had a chance to bond with her half-sister in the United States.

She has given up earthly life on a Sunday evening of December 02, 1923 and joined the bosom of a loving and compassionate Father on a Sunday, at 11:35 in the evening of December 22, 2019. Myocardial infarction was the immediate cause of her demise.

S. Betty’s or S. Bea’s life was fully lived in imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - discerning, prayerful, self-enduring, generous of self and time and sensitive to the needs of others. Those who took care of her in St. Joseph Home never heard her complain nor demand of their assistance. They also recounted how she valued and loved the sacrament of the  Eucharist because even though she was in pain, she would always desire to join the Sisters in the celebration of the

Eucharist in the Chapel. She was described as a holy sister.

Thank you, S. Maria Beatriz, for living life to the full for ninety-six (96) years and sixty-six (66) years of which as Religious of the Virgin Mary. May Jesus, our loving Savior joyfully welcome you in God’s heavenly abode. May Mary, the Our Lady of Lourdes envelop you with her mantle of love, peace and joy. May St. Joseph and Mother Ignacia lovingly open their arms and welcome you with great joy.

We will miss you, our dear S. Betty, S. Bea. Please pray for us as we do pray for you. Farewell!

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

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace. 

Amen.