IN MEMORIAM

S. MARIA CORAZON MEGINO LOPEZ, RVM

(June 24, 1929 – December 19, 2018)

S. Maria Corazon Megino Lopez, the ninth child of ten (4 girls and 6 boys) of Domingo Lopez, a lawyer, and Valeriana Megino, a teacher, hailed from Villassis, Pangasinan. Her parents were very religious, and they were also generous in surrendering four of their children to the service of God – one Religious of the Virgin Mary and three priests (a Jesuit, a Diocesan Clergy and a Carmelite) and a priest grandson who is with us today. The young Corazon was devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Blessed Virgin Mary, and St. Joseph.

S. Maria Corazon took her primary and intermediate education at the Help of Christian School and her secondary education at St. Mary’s Academy, Trozo, Manila in 1948. She was already a perpetually professed Sister by the time she studied and completed her college education at St. Mary’s College, Quezon City.

Right after high school, she entered postulancy on July 31, 1948 and noviceship on February 01, 1949. She had her temporary profession on February 02, 1951, perpetual profession on May 24, 1956, silver jubilee on February 02, 1976 and golden jubilee on February 03, 2001.

Hard work, sacrifices, and generosity were expressed in her mission assignment. She was assigned in Ilocos Norte for twenty eight grace-filled years, St. Jude High School, Pagudpud for sixteen years, St. Andrew Academy, Bacarra for eight years, Laoag for three years, and St. Laurence Academy, Bangui for a year. Her other mission assignments were in Holy Cross Academy, Digos, Notre Dame of Pikit, St. Mary’s College, Quezon City, St. Pascual Institute, Obando, Bulacan, St. Anne’s Academy, Manila, St. Mary’s College, Meycauayan, and St. Mary’s Academy, Sto. Niño, Meycauayan. She was in St. Mary’s Academy, Yakal for eight years. She resided in the Motherhouse in 2013 to 2017 before she was transferred to St. Joseph Home because of her health condition. She was a Teacher, Local Econome, Canteen / Food Service In-charge and Local Superior.

As Local Superior and Econome in a very poor community, she never said that the community had nothing. She was always very resourceful. She ventured into piggery and chicken raising. She accepted onions, garlic, and other produce from the farm as payment for the tuition fees of the students and sold them to the different RVM communities in Metro Manila for the needs of the school and community. She always invited the community to stretch arms in prayer for more enrolment. Her trust in the providence of the Divine Majesty was evident in her life.

True to her name, Corazon, her heart was patterned after the heart of Christ with her kindness and compassion especially for the poor. She journeyed with them with a heart that listened intently to their cries. She embraced them with generosity as her father did to those who could not pay for his services as a lawyer. She grew up in a well-off family, but she was never blind to the plight of the poor. Her life of simplicity, industry, humility, and prayer was truly inspiring.

S. Maria Corazon was described as a peacekeeper and one who could mend conflicts. She could initiate forgiveness among people in discord due to deep-seated hurts; she could facilitate reconciliation in relationships severed by grudges. She could easily adjust with people around her. All these were attributed to her humility and piety.

She balanced her work and her being by playing and teaching piano to those who are interested to learn. She was gifted with a sense of humor.

S. Maria Corazon was called “darling” by her brothers and sisters, and it is by this same name that she also used to call others whom she had in contact. Her darlings in St. Joseph Home described her as kind, considerate, and concerned for their well-being. They shared that as long as S. Maria Corazon could still move and do things on her own, she would not ask for assistance so that they can do their responsibilities with the other Sisters.

S. Maria Corazon breathed her last at 7:00 in the morning of December 19, 2018 because of cardiac failure due to arrhythmia.

Our profound gratitude to you, S. Maria Corazon, for the eighty nine years of life and sixty seven years of which as Religious of the Virgin Mary.

Thank you for your beautiful and kind heart S. Cora. With Mary, we join you today, as your soul rejoices for the greatness of God in your life.

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus welcome you with open and loving heart as He walks with you towards the heavenly abode. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo accompany you. Farewell, S. Maria Corazon. Our sincere gratitude to God for the gift of your person.

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

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace. 

Amen.