IN MEMORIAM

S. MARIA DELFINA BAGAS JARAMILLO, RVM

(December 24, 1930 – July 30, 2016)

We are called to do many things in our lifetime. But among the many experiences we may have spent our time, talent and treasure on, one thing constantly stands out. We are called for a particular purpose only each one of us can uniquely fulfill. For Sister Maria Delfina, she had always been certain that her call was to love, a vocation most exemplified in her lifetime.

Sister Maria Delfina was born on December 24, 1930 at Sinai, Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental to Apolonio Balaquit Jaramillo, a farmer who became the Cabeza de Barangay of their barrio, and Gregoria Bagas Jaramillo, a simple house wife described as prayerful. Delfina was baptized on May 3, 1931 by Fr. Pablo Carasig, SJ. She had her first communion on March 19, 1937 from Rev. Fr. Walter Hamilton, SJ. and received the sacrament of confirmation on February 14,1948 from Archbishop James Hayes, SJ.

Being the youngest in the brood of ten, Delfina claimed that her brothers had a great influence on her. From them, she learned horseback riding, swimming, hunting, and pasturing cows, horses and carabaos. Her sisters had their share of influence, too. From them, she learned to do household chores as well as feed their livestock.

Delfina described her family as a prayerful one. Her mother would usually gather them for angelus and rosary. As a young girl, she would at times fall asleep during prayer and whenever noticed by her mother, she would receive a pinch and right away she would answer, “Santa Maria Madre de Dios. . .” This religiousness was instilled in her that, as she narrated in her autobiography, there was a time in her high school years that she could not sleep. She prayed and saw the image of the Blessed Mother in blue sash.

Delfina took her third and fourth year high school at Lourdes College, Cagayan de Oro. She was inspired by the lives of M. Maria Ezperanza Edralin, her teacher in Religion,

and S. Maria Jeronima Perez, her teacher in Applied Arithmetic. From that time on her vocation grew. She started applying to different congregations but she was advised to finish first her studies. When her brothers and sisters learned of her desire, they advised their mother not to send her to college for fear that she will be away from them. But after a year, she was allowed to study, and Mother Edralin advised her to take up Library Science.

During her college years, there were times when she got sick, and those were the times when her desire to become a Sister got stronger. She was unwavering. Whenever she was out of school, she would help in the catechetical work of the parish, and when at school, she would observe closely the life of the Sisters in Lourdes College. She applied as a working student. Being with the Sisters, she learned their way of living and discovered that their life was not miserable as other people made her believe.

In 1957, she graduated from college and worked as a Librarian in her Alma Mater. After two years, she applied to Mother Maria Catalina Dychitan. The family was against her decision. They were worried that nobody would take care of their mother and also because of the fact that Delfina was a sickly child. But her mother was so good. She wanted Delfina to be happy, and she was after the will of God for her.

Delfina was accepted to Postulancy on February 1, 1959, and to Noviceship on August 14, 1959. She had her First profession of Temporary Vows on August 15, 1961. On the day of her profession, she wrote, “I found a way of giving myself: effectively, wholly, irrevocably to the service of God. I found freedom … freedom from every obstacle that might interfere with my exclusive devotion to God, freedom to surrender myself with undivided love, freedom to serve God and others.” She had her Perpetual Profession of vows on May 31, 1967. She celebrated her Silver Jubilee on August 15, 1986 and her Golden Jubilee on August 15, 2011.

As a religious she served as a teacher, cashier, econome, principal, librarian and archive staff of the RVM schools/ communities in Loon, Bohol, Tagum, Davao del Norte, Digos, Davao del Sur, Labason, Zamboanga del Norte, Gumaca, Quezon, St. Mary’s College, Meycauayan. She spent seventeen (17) years as librarian at St. Mary’s Meycauayan and at the Mother Ignacia Center for Spirituality, eleven years (11) as principal, six years as superior and sixteen (16) years as archives staff. She was described as very diligent in her work. She is known to be a person with initiative, dedication and creativity in preserving the records of the Sisters. She worked quietly, humbly and patiently. She was always uncomplaining.

On October 8, 1988, she underwent total hysterectomy and was diagnosed with cancer. She underwent chemotherapy, offering joyfully every suffering to the Lord. She was freed from cancer and continued to do God’s mission with love and perseverance.

“It was for love and love alone that urged me to become a Sister.” These are the words of S. Delfina, words that were lived with fervor and faithfulness. Her love for God and His mission was so deep and strong that her everyday life was a Yes to His call. She breathed her perpetual yes to God’s love at 2:30 in the morning of July 30, 2016 due to pneumonia and cardio vascular disease. S. Delfina lived her 85 years to the full, 55 years of which were dedicated in prayerful and humble service as Religious of the Virgin Mary.

You shall be with our Lord, the God of great love, peace and joy. Rest now, our dear Sister.

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

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace. 

Amen.