IN MEMORIAM

S. MARIA FLAVIANA NAMOCATCAT MAGADAN, RVM

(October 5, 1927 – April 15, 2019)

S. Maria Flaviana Magadan was the fifth of nine children (6 boys and 3 girls) of Leon Magadan and Feliciana Namocatcat of Tudela, Misamis Occidental. She was baptized a week after her birth by Fr. Gabriel Font of the Society of Jesus and was confirmed five years later. She grew up with her siblings in a religious environment where their parents were active members of Catholic religious organizations. Her mother and two other catechists taught her and her siblings the basic prayers and Catholic teachings.

The young Flaviana considered herself as a privileged child having actively participated in church activities. She acted the role of an “angel” during religious celebrations in their place like Flores de Mayo, “Salubong” or the traditional meeting of the Blessed Mother and the risen Lord at Easter, and every feast of Corpus Christi. The Risen Lord and the Blessed Mother must have truly looked after the welfare of their “angels” for when the young Flaviana was 5 years old, she had a fall, perilous enough to take her life, but she survived it.

Flaviana’s life was sustained by the family’s hard work and industry through farming and sewing. She took her elementary education in their town but stopped when the second world war broke out with the thought that she could not finish her studies. But when liberation came, despite poverty, her father saw to it that Flaviana continued her schooling. Flaviana was in her teen age when her mother died, but it did not hinder her in pursuing her dream to finish her studies and help her family.

She finished Bachelor of Science in Education major in Mathematics and minor in English. Right after graduation, she taught at San Isidro High School for seven and a half years. She was able to send to school her younger siblings and became the sole support of the family when her father got sick and eventually died. While teaching she was the president of the Children of Mary. She also organized and headed the Legion of Mary which gave her the opportunity to catechize children and bring people closer to God and to the Church.

She was in second year college when she felt the call of God through the inspiration of the Columban Sisters who were administering the college where she studied and through a board mate who also had a calling to religious life. Her longing for solitude drew her to ponder the beauty of nature and the goodness of God which led her listen to the voice within her. However, she was faced with a challenge of choosing between religious life and her teaching profession, and considering the financial condition of her family, she decided to stay working and take care of her sick father. After the death of her father and after having sent her younger siblings to school, she decided to follow the Lord in consecrated life with the help of a spiritual director. S. Maria Remedios Maglinte played a significant role in her entrance to the Religious of the Virgin Mary.

She entered postulancy on July 31, 1961 and noviceship on February 01, 1962. She made her temporary profession on February 02, 1964 and her perpetual profession on October 11, 1970. She joyfully celebrated her silver jubilee on February 02, 1989 and golden jubilee on February 02, 2014.

She served the church and the congregation as a Mathematics and Christian Living teacher, school principal, local econome, cashier and food service in-charge. She did her mission with exemplary dedication, trustworthiness, honesty, humility, resourcefulness, and hard work. She was a good teacher, loved and respected by her students.

S. Maria Flaviana described her mission assignments as places where virtues of mortification, patience, poverty, self-denial, perseverance, endurance, industry, charity and sacrifice were most exercised. She experienced long travels, spending sleepless nights to be able to get a ride, crossing flooded rivers and other challenging situations yet she said, “In spite of these inconveniences, I was rewarded with a happy community. The Sisters I lived with have a joyful and understanding disposition that I was inspired and encouraged to go on with my work. They are my source of strength. The Lord was indeed working with me and with us.”

S. Maria Flaviana was described as a holy Sister. She was not heard complaining amidst pain. Her days at St. Joseph Home were filled with gratefulness to the Sisters, to the nurses, and caregivers who took care of her. She was a woman of faith, joy, kindness, calmness, and contemplation.

A day before her death, as she approached the door to new life, she repeatedly said to the nurses who were with her, “I am going now.” True enough, she went home to the Father on a holy Monday morning, April 15, 2019, due to hypoxia.

Our hearts rejoice with gratitude to God for the gift of your beautiful person, S. Maria Flaviana. Thank you for the 91 years of earthly life and 55 years of which as Religious of the Virgin Mary. We will surely miss your gentle, joyful, prayerful, and holy presence. May we emulate your exemplary life of witness.

We rejoice with you as you pass over from this world to new life with Jesus Christ, our resurrected Savior. May Mary, Saint Joseph, and Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo’s everlasting peace and joy enfold you. For certain, the angels’ voices singing the “Alleluia” welcome you in the Heavenly abode. Thank you and farewell, our dear S. Flavie.

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

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace. 

Amen.