IN MEMORIAM

S.  MARIA CONSUELO TAÑAFRANCA ANANCA, RVM 

(October 1, 1922 – June 1, 2021)

S. Maria Consuelo Tañafranca Ananca who hailed from a quiet and peaceful town in Gumaca, Quezon was born on October 1, 1922 to Feliciano and Concepcion. She was the second of five children (three girls and two boys). Her father was the only child of a well-to-do “haciendero” while her mother belonged to a family of educators. She was baptized on February 17, 1923 by Fr. Patricio Calderon and was confirmed on January 31, 1926 by His Excellency, Reverend Alfredo Versoza. Her mother prepared her for first communion when she was seven years old which for her was a blessed and memorable day.

The young Consuelo and her siblings grew up in a family filled with love and deep reverence to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Holy Spirit and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, to St. Therese of the Child Jesus, to other Saints and Holy Angels. They grew up bonded with love, care and concern for one another. At their young age, they were trained to be consciously aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit who would guide their thoughts and actions. They were also exposed to serving the poor in their midst. Every Friday the whole family would invite those in need, specifically beggars, serve them lunch and give them something to bring home.

S. Maria Consuelo took her primary and elementary education at Gumaca Elementary School. She finished her secondary education at Tayabas Provincial High School, Lucena City. She took Elementary Teacher’s Certificate (ETC) at Colegio de Santa Isabel, Intramuros, Manila before the World War II broke out. As a Religious of the Virgin Mary, she finished Bachelor of Science in Education and Master’s degree in Educational Management at the University of Santo Tomas. She also took courses in Guidance and Counseling, Social Work, Communication and Journalism.

The seed of religious vocation grew when she was eight years old. That was the time when she met two Sisters having house visitation. The call was nurtured when she was an interna in Colegio de Santa Isabel. During her free time, she would volunteer to teach at Escuela Catolica, a school for free education which was an out-reach program for the poor by the Sisters of Charity. She taught grade two pupils for free.

During the war, she went home to Gumaca where she continued teaching catechism to the children. Her vocation to religious life grew stronger, and she prayed fervently for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. She did not know which Congregation to enter until she met Msgr. Angel Glinoga who was at their place recruiting vocations to the priesthood. His sister, Sor Estrella Glinoga, was an RVM and was residing in Singalong, Manila that time. S. Maria Consuelo’s Spiritual Director was also a friend of the RVMs in the Beaterio. The young Consuelo inquired from Msgr. Glinoga what she needed, prepared everything, and sent all the documents through him. After three days, she received the response of M. Maria Andrea Montejo, the Superior General then. Though it was still war time, at the age of 18, she left for Singalong on August 09, 1943, with the blessing of her parents. Her father and sister brought her to Singalong.

She was accepted to postulancy on August 11, 1943 and invested to noviceship on February 01, 1944. S. Maria Consuelo and her batchmates’ noviceship life was a journey of faith, fear, uncertainty and hunger. Since the Japanese occupied the RVM compound, they evacuated to Polo, Bulacan. Then, they transferred to Obando and left for a far-flung barrio of Ubihan, Bulacan just to escape from the cruelty of the Japanese and the battle between the Filipinos and Americans against the Japanese for liberation. The guerillas sheltered the Sisters in their hideout. They did not have enough food, and they only depended on the grace and providence of God. After the liberation, they went to Meycauayan and proceeded to Singalong, Manila.

S. Maria Consuelo made her temporary profession on February 02, 1946 at Singalong, Manila. She pronounced her perpetual profession of vows on May 24, 1952. She celebrated her silver jubilee on February 2, 1971, golden jubilee on February 02, 1996, and diamond jubilee on February 02, 2006.

With love and dedication, she served the Congregation and the Church in various ministries; Education, Retreat, Formation and Dormitory. She was assigned in the Education Ministry for twenty-four (24) years, Social and Special Ministries for twenty-five (25) years. Formation Ministry for three (3) years. She became Coordinator of the Social Communication Center, Inc. in Sta Mesa, Manila for the development of people through Mass Media and Coordinator of the Archdiocesan Evangelization Program and Executive Director of Caritas, Cebu.

She highlighted that her assignment as a Rural Missionary in the barrios of Hagonoy, Sto. Rosario, Sta. Cruz and San Pascual in August 1969-1971 where she looked after the welfare of the poor tenant farmers and fishpond watchers gave her peace and comfort. Her assignments in the Welcome House for the poor, St. Joseph Evangelization Center in Lahug, Cebu City, and at the Marian Multipurpose for the poor in Tagaytay City were also among her most cherished memories. She joyfully served the marginalized and reached out to those in the peripheries with mercy and compassion, and alleviate their suffering from their poor living conditions, oppressions and sickness. She helped them become self-reliant, self-nourishing, self-governing and self-liberating. Truly, her missionary journey reflected the message of Pope Francis that we be compassionate to the poor, the sick and the needy, that we be merciful to the weak and the lost - which inspired.

When she was in the Motherhouse, she was tasked to take charge of the informal settlers in the neighboring streets of the RVM Motherhouse Complex. She also dedicated herself for twelve years in the RVM Archives. The remaining years of her life were devoted to prayer and contemplative presence. Her loving presence was deeply felt by those who took care of her at St. Joseph Home. Her patience, understanding, care and concern for the nurses and caregivers, her kindness and thoughtfulness were noteworthy.

She breathed her last on June 01, 2021 at 3:45 in the afternoon because of acute myocardial infarction.

S. Maria Consuelo, truly, your prayer to offer your life as an act of love and thanksgiving has come to its fulfillment. Now, your favorite part of Psalm 23 calls you, “The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where He leads me to my rest.”

Thank you so much, for the ninety-eight (98) years of earthly life and seventy-four (74) years of which as Religious of the Virgin Mary. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Therese of the Child Jesus, all the Saints in heaven, the Holy Angels and Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo welcome you with great joy and peace. We thank you for the gift of your person to the Church and to the Congregation. Please pray for us in these challenging times, as we pray for you. Farewell, our dear S. Consuelo. We love you.

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

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace. 

Amen.