IN MEMORIAM

S. MARIA DOMINGA BORNELLA FIRAZA, RVM

(July 06, 1926 – September 25, 2021)

S. Maria Dominga Bornella Firaza, who hailed from Tabaco, Albay was one of the seven children of Pablo Firaza and Teresa Bornella. There was no record of her baptism and confirmation because most of the records of Albay Cathedral Parish were burned during the American bombing on March 30, 1945.

She finished her primary and intermediate education at Tabaco Elementary School and her high school education at Catholic Central School. She took her first two years in college at Albay Normal School before she entered religious life. She was a Junior Sister when she continued her college education at Assumption College, Guiuan, Eastern Samar and completed it at St. Mary’s College, Quezon City in 1966 as a perpetually professed Sister. In 1975, she graduated from her master’s degree at De La Salle University.

She was accepted to postulancy on February 01, 1952 and proceeded to noviceship on August 15, 1952. She made her first profession of vows on February 02, 1961. With grateful heart, she celebrated her twenty-five and fifty years as an RVM on February 02, 1980 and February 02, 2005, respectively.

She was involved in the education ministry of the congregation as a teacher, registrar, local econome, librarian, local superior, school directress, principal, regional guidance coordinator for Luzon and Visayas, staff in the education ministry main office, and regional superintendent of Luzon region. She was also assigned in the dormitory ministry as dean of boarders and guidance counselor. In her later years in the mission, she became one of the staff in the RVM Archives for the preservation of the important congregational documents. In 2017, for closer medical attention, she was transferred to St. Joseph Home.

On September 26, 2021 at 10:10 in the evening, S. Maria Dominga breathed her last due to hypovolemic shock and probable gastro-intestinal bleeding. She suffered the severe attack of Covid-19.

We thank you, S. Maria Dominga for living life in God’s hands for ninety-five years and sixty-six years of which were devoted in fulfilling God’s mission as Religious of the Virgin Mary. You are lovingly remembered by those whom you were with in community as a woman of prayer, deep faith, humility, and truthfulness. You manifested your humility by relinquishing your position and serving others selflessly. You found joy in seeing your fellow community members enjoying the food you prepared and your creative salad presentations. You were honest and true in reprimanding the lay partners with love and respect, upholding their dignity as persons. You were a faithful and true friend to those who called you their “Tia Inggay”.

May our compassionate and merciful God welcome you with His all-embracing love and grant you eternal joy and peace. May you enjoy your fellowship with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo, all the Saints and angels in heaven.

Farewell, S. Maria Dominga, “Tia Inggay.” Our love and prayers go with you. Please pray for us, too, as we are confronted with life’s uncertainties brought about by Covid-19. May your soul rest in peace.

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

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace. 

Amen.