IN MEMORIAM

S. MARIA CARMEN FLORES TORRALBA, RVM

(July 4, 1924 – September 14, 2021)

S. Maria Carmen was born on July 04, 1924 in Butuan, Agusan del Norte Province to Francisco Torralba and Pilar Flores. She was the sixth in the brood of eleven. She was brought up in a religious environment through the initiative of her grandmother. As early as 4:00 in the morning, her family would wake up to glorify the Blessed Trinity, and they would gather again at 6:00 in the evening to pray the holy Rosary. During the holy week, they would read religious books and strictly observe silence. They were not allowed to work during these days, so her father and brother would prepare rice, water, and firewood a week earlier. They would also attend church activities from Holy Thursday until Good Saturday.

S. Maria Carmen finished her primary and intermediate education at Butuan Catholic Parochial School managed by the Religious of the Virgin Mary. She completed her high school education and Elementary Teacher’s Certificate at Adamson University. With her upbringing, she developed in her the love for Jesus which motivated her to enter religious life. She was in third year college when she decided to follow God’s call to religious life. It took her time to decide because she found it difficult to leave her parents.

When she was 22 years old, her mother asked her about her plans for her life. She told her that she would like to be a Sister. Her mother conceded to her plan, but her older brother commented, “Meng, dili gyud bagay sa imo and pagmadre, kay bisan ra gamay nga butang, mokatawa ka dayon, ang mga madre formal baya, Meng.” This remark bothered her, so she talked to her Spiritual Director who gave her his blessing to follow God’s call. Fr. Boxo of the Society of Jesus told her that religious life is not easy with the many trials that may come her way and that she would need to laugh at these struggles to survive.

She was accepted to postulancy on July 31, 1952 and to noviceship on February 1, 1953. She pronounced her temporary vows on August 15, 1955, made her perpetual profession of vows on May 31, 1961, and joyfully celebrated her silver jubilee on August 15, 1980 and golden jubilee on August 15, 2005. She served the Congregation as a pastoral and social worker, teacher, catechist to public schools, local econome, and infirmarian.

Her significant experiences in the mission happened in Sapang Palay, Bulacan where she served as a catechist in the public schools. She was a big help in the preparation of the public schools’ first communicants. At nighttime, she would also give sessions to the adults on God’s love and goodness. She taught them how to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. She recalled one vivid imagination of herself going to her mission place and seeing Jesus in white long gown walking ahead of her towards the bus which she was to take. This vision brought light to her disposition and gave her courage to respond to any mission given to her, trusting that Jesus is her constant companion.

One of her heartbreaking experiences was her mother’s conversion to Protestantism after being confronted with unbearable trials. Her mother who brought them up to love the Blessed Virgin Mary turned her back on her faith. Fortunately, S. Maria Carmen was assigned in the dormitory for the poor students in Butuan City. She had the chance to visit her mother regularly, until such time that she requested S. Maria Carmen to bring her back to the Catholic faith because she did not want to die as a Protestant. Before she died, a year after her conversion, she told S. Maria Carmen to tell the Blessed Mother to forgive her and to include her name in Mother Mary’s lists so that God will accept her in heaven.

As a religious, S. Maria Carmen valued God’s centeredness in community, silence for deeper union with God, love and respect for all the servant leaders, young and old, for they represent God. She possessed a joyful, optimistic and grateful heart. She loved to write and give account of her experiences to her superiors.

On the feast of the Triumph of the Cross, September 14, 2021 at 2:20 in the afternoon at the age of ninety-seven (97), she succumbed to acute respiratory distress syndrome due to Covid-19. S. Maria Carmen spent sixty-six years of her life as Religious of the Virgin Mary.

Thank you so much, S. Maria Carmen, for your joyful and grateful disposition. Your life of service especially towards the poor is worth emulating. Your loving reward surely welcomes you as you are face-to-face with Jesus, the lover of the poor.

As we celebrate today the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, God’s greatest expression of love for all of us, may your soul be enveloped by His immeasurable love. May our Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, Mother Ignacia, all the Saints and Angels in Heaven welcome you with much joy.

Farewell, our dear S. Maria Carmen. Our prayers go with you as you journey to eternity. We love you! Rest in peace.

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

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace. 

Amen.