IN MEMORIAM

S.  MARIA COLETTA DAFFON BITONIO, RVM

(March 6, 1936 – September 15, 2021)

S. Maria Coletta (Lilia) Daffon Bitonio was the 5th child of five children (3 girls and 2 boys) of Ambrosio Juan Bitonio and Januaria Daffon. Together with her siblings, she grew up with parents who were hardworking, creative, and dedicated in sharing their talents. Her mother who was a public school teacher lovingly trained them how to play the piano at an early age. Her father who was employed at the Bureau of Forestry shared his craft to every community he was stationed. The nature of his work had the family moving from place to place including Ormoc City, Binondo, Manila, Cebu City, Lao-ang Samar, Tacloban City, Dolores, Eastern Samar and Catbalogan, Western Samar.

S. Maria Coletta was baptized on May 17, 1936 and was confirmed on July 11 of the same year at Lao-ang, Northern Samar. It was her mother who prepared her for first confession and communion. It was also her mother, together with her father, who led the family in their devotion to the Blessed Trinity. They regularly prayed the Trisagio a la Santisima Trinidad including the holy Rosary and the seven sorrows and joys of Mary. They were also devoted to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, San Antonio and San Roque. Aside from devotion to the Saints, reading Bible stories was also part of their daily schedule. Ultimately, it was instilled in the family especially in the young minds of the children that life’s suffering is a participation in Christ’s passion.

She took her primary school years at the Holy Infant Academy, Tacloban City and transferred to Leyte Normal School. The first three years of her high school education were spent at Dolores High School, Eastern Samar, and she finished it at St. Paul’s College which became the Divine Word University in Tacloban City.

After high school, S. Maria Coletta aspired to take a medical course to help the sick but because her father and other siblings had another plan for her, she decided to take up Associate in Arts at Sacred Heart College, Catbalogan, a school owned by the RVM Sisters. Her expertise in piano led her closer to the Sisters who would ask her to play during school activities and in the presence of guests. She was also asked to share her talent in music to other schools like St. Mary’s Academy of Palo.

The Sisters noticed her piety as an active member of the Legion of Mary, of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Lourdes, and of their parish choir. They asked her if she has the desire to enter religious life. This desire blossomed in her when she was still an elementary pupil looking up to St. Therese of Lisieux as her inspiration. It grew so strong that she wanted to respond to it immediately, but her parents wanted her to finish her studies first. So, after completing her certificate in education, she asked permission from her parents who were hesitant at first, thinking that she would not endure the work in the convent. With her persistence, her family conceded to her desire with heavy hearts.

When she decided to join the Congregation as an aspirant, she was advised to take up some subjects in Education. She was also brought to Holy Cross Academy of Oras while waiting for her time to go to Manila. She taught and assisted in school activities which she loved to do. Then, on July 31, 1958, she was accepted to postulancy. On February 01, 1959, she was accepted to Noviceship, and she pronounced her first profession of vows on August 15, 1961. She celebrated her silver jubilee on August 15, 1985 and her golden jubilee on August 15, 2011.

She continued her studies at St. Mary’s College, Quezon City and finished Bachelor of Science in Education. Then, she took up some units in Music Education at the Philippine Women University. She also took up the four phases of Catholic Christian Doctrine (CCD) in Pius X Center.

S. Maria Coletta served in the congregation’s Education Ministry for forty-three years as English, Pilipino, and Christian Living Teacher. Most of her years were spent as a piano teacher. She had shared much of her musical talent to students and Sisters, and she touched their souls through music. She was also assigned in Claveria, Misamis Oriental for pastoral work for two years and a year at the Mother Ignacia Home for the Elderly, Pansol, Laguna. Then, she was transferred to the RVM Motherhouse where her gift in music was shared with her community and at St. Joseph Home.

St. Joseph Home was her residence since 2016 for closer physical monitoring. On September 15, 2021 at 9:45 in the morning, she succumbed to respiratory distress syndrome caused by covid-19 virus.

Thank you, S. Maria Coletta for the eighty-five years of earthly life and sixty years as Religious of the Virgin Mary. Your prayerfulness, industry, love and concern for the poor, and your quest for service and justice are greatly appreciated. You withstood the challenge of being misunderstood as an artist and musician. You embraced the invitation to be more open and accepting of the differences and uniqueness of your companions in community and ministry.

May the great love of the Triune God embrace you with your life’s lights and shadows. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, St. Therese of Lisieux, and Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo welcome you with the light, peace and joy of Jesus Christ. Farewell, our dear S. Maria Coletta. Bring with you our love and prayers. May your soul find rest.

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

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace. 

Amen.