IN MEMORIAM

S. MARIA BERNARDITA TAPUNGO DAEL, RVM

(September 16, 1933 – September 16, 2021)

S. Maria Bernardita Tapungot Dael was the only girl among three siblings. Her parents were Cipriano Dael and Anastacia Tapungot. They resided at Jasaan, Misamis Oriental. She was baptized on September 27, 1933 and was confirmed on August 28, 1936. Her parents were practical Catholics from whom she learned the rudiments of Christianity.

She finished her elementary education at Jasaan Catholic School and took her high school and college education at Lourdes College, Cagayan de Oro City. She finished Elementary Teacher’s Certificate (ETC) and Bachelor of Science in Education, major in Pilipino and minor in English. She was an assistant registrar at Lourdes College before she entered the RVM.

She was accepted to postulancy on August 14, 1962 and was invested to noviceship on February 01, 1963. She made her temporary profession of vows on February 02, 1965 and had her final profession of vows on March 24, 1973. She gratefully celebrated her silver jubilee on February 02, 1990 and golden jubilee on February 02, 2015.

She participated in the mission of Christ as assistant registrar, teacher, cashier, principal, local superior, local econome, directress of retreats, in-charge of boarders and food service in-charge. The varied missionary endeavors of S. Maria Bernardita were coupled by obedience. For her, following God’s will is always a blessing.

Having served St. John the Baptist High School, Lagonglong for 10 years (1973-1979; 1983-1987) as school principal, local superior, and local econome, the community lovingly remembers S. Maria Bernardita. One of the priests in the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro City , shared that through her leadership, 18 seminarians entered different congregations. It was a blessing received by St. John the Baptist High School for the first time in its long history. With her presence and other RVM Sisters, twenty-two (22) were ordained priests from Lagonglong including the current Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro City, His Excellency, Most Reverend Jose Cabantan, DD. Other alumni also recalled that through her, they were able to reflect their purpose in life. Truly, she was much loved by the youth in Lagonglong as their motivational leader. She had deeply influenced their lives.

S. Maria Bernardita’s generosity of her time and abilities did not stop there. On good Fridays, she would lead the singing during the Stations of the Cross outside the school campus. She also used her gift in music to organize a grand parish choir that welcomed even those outside of the academic community of St. John the Baptist High School. She welcomed all those who knew how to play the ukelele, guitar, bottle piano, and other musical instruments. Until this time the old songs they learned from S. Maria Bernardita are still sung by the people of Lagonglong.

September 16, 2021 was her 88th earthly birthday, which was also her first birthday in heaven as she succumbed to acute respiratory distress syndrome due to Covid-19. She was fifty-six years as Religious of the Virgin Mary.

Thank you so much, S. Maria Bernardita for the evangelizing mission you have contributed to the Church and to the congregation. Thank you for your joyful and welcoming spirit, tact, and strictness coupled with gentleness. Your contemplative presence, patience, trustworthiness, sense of responsibility, diligence, system in doing things, and conscientiousness of duties are noteworthy.

May our loving and compassionate God bless your holy life. May Jesus, the resurrection and life welcome you with His all-embracing love. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo, all the saints and angels in heaven rejoice at your entrance into heaven. Farewell, our dear S. Berns. Bring with you our love and prayers.

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

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace. 

Amen.