IN MEMORIAM

S. MARIA FRANCISCA LEAL MENORCA, RVM

(June 4, 1922 – August 1, 2016)

S. Maria Francisca’s life was a journey of faith. It was a journey which started from the faith of her mother while conceiving her, faith of her brother who entered the seminary when she was about to be born, and faith of their family which kept them together in the midst of war.

Sister Maria Francisca was born on June 4, 1922 at Mogpog, Marinduque to Catalino Menorca, a farmer, tailor and parish sacristan, and Calixta Leal Menorca, a dedicated housewife and catechist who led prayer and novenas for the dying and the dead. She was baptized on June 24, 1922 by Fr. Buenaventura Calderon, and she received the sacrament of confirmation on May 20, 1925 from Bishop Alfredo Verzosa. She received her first holy communion when she was 7 years old. Her first catechism was conducted by her mother.

Francisca is the youngest of eight – four girls and four boys – who were all brought up in a very religious family. They would wake up at 4:00 dawn for the morning prayer and the rosary of the Holy wounds of Jesus and Mary. In the evenings, they would gather for the angelus and holy rosary. Those who would fail to attend time for prayer would be punished, and those who would fail to join the Holy Mass on Sundays would not be given food to eat.

Two of Francisca’s brothers became diocesan priests. Her elder brother whom she called Kuya Lorenzo was the first priest in their hometown. Francisca stayed in his Kuya Lorenzo’s parish where she spent her last three years in the elementary years. She was always reminded to take holy communion daily and confess her sins. She would confess to her brother. Francisca continued her high school education after the war, and again she stayed with her brother priest where she helped in the parish’s catechetical work. She did not write as much as her brother priest Presco but she did remember very well how he loved her so much.

She studied at a school administered by the Benedictine Sisters, the Immaculate Conception Academy in Boac, Marinduque, presently St. Mary’s College administered by the RVM Sisters. The Benedictine Sisters encouraged her to be one of them but in her young age, she would answer them jokingly, “You better invite my mother because she is very pious.”

After high school, she enrolled at the University of the East to take up dentistry. To her surprise, the inclination to enter the convent started to grow. The thought of being separated from the family were one of her fears so she started asking for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and Our Lady of Biglang Awa. In her prayer, she was inspired by St. Margaret Mary who watched closely her Divine Master and who offered Him her love and atonement for the countless souls of sinners.

Francisca brought her desires to God in deep faith for she had a hard time convincing her mother of her vocation. Her mother wanted her to marry and serve as a cantora in her brother’s parish. Her Kuya Lorenzo discouraged her to become a religious because of the difficulties she would encounter knowing that she does not know any household chore. Being the youngest, she was well taken care of by the family. He pleaded with her to continue her studies and promised her that he would provide for all her needs. She adhered to his request to go back to Manila to finish her 2-year Dentistry, yet, she was unceasing in trusting and commending her dream to the Holy wounds of Jesus and Mary.

She made a big leap of faith when she reached Manila. She started to search for a congregation where she can join. She was able to go to St. Mary’s College, Diliman, now St. Mary’s College, Quezon City, and a Sister brought her to the Mother House where she was able to talk with Mother Ignacia Magdalena. She underwent spiritual direction and without the knowledge of her family, she entered the congregation. She wrote, “My desire to enter religious life is with a firm purpose to shun the vanity of the world, to educate youth and instruct the ignorant and above all to serve Jesus who is the

way, the truth and life.”

S. Maria Francisca was accepted to Postulancy on November 20, 1951 when she remembered with joy that she was given by her brother-priest Fr. Presco Php 100.00 as a gift. She was invested to Noviceship on May 23, 1952. She had her first profession of Temporary Vows on May 24, 1954 when her family, after all their fears and hesitations, finally offered her to the Blessed Mother. S. Francisca was overjoyed with their gesture. On May 24, 1960, she made her Perpetual Profession of vows. She celebrated her Silver Jubilee on May 24, 1979 and her Golden Jubilee on February 4, 2004.

She took up Bachelor of Science in Education at St. Mary’s College and had her special studies on Music Education in Sta. Isabel College.

One of her sisters in the religious group described S. Francisca as a concrete example of humility. She recalled how S. Francisca had always been generous and humble in sharing her gift of beautiful voice. She also worked with dedication and industry on any responsibility given her. She was marked with refinement, calmness and endurance. For her, S. Francisca was a spiritual person in thoughts, words and deeds.

One remarkable legacy she left for her family is the ordination to the priesthood of her nephew, now Msgr. Hipolito Menorca Araña, currently assigned Culio Hermosa, Bataan. He is in our midst today. Her Kuya Lorenzo gave S. Francisca the task of praying incessantly for their nephew to become a priest and God heeded her prayer.

S. Francisca’s missionary journey was dedicated to teaching. She was assigned at Sta. Ana, Manila, Llorente, Eastern Samar, Zamboanga City, Guagua, Pampanga, Baliuag, Bulacan, Boac, Mariduque, Pasay City, Caloocan City, Gumaca, Quezon and Ligao Albay. In 2002, she was transferred to the Motherhouse and in 2008 until her demise, St. Joseph Home became her home.

S. Francisca lived life to the full for 94 years and 62 years of which were spent as a Religious of the Virgin Mary. In all those years, she held on to her faith in God. In one of her prayers, she wrote, “Increase in me Lord, the faith you have given me and bring to a harvest worthy of heaven, free me from the desires that belong to darkness… Enlighten me with your word that I may find the way to your glory.”

S. Francisca died of pneumonia with metabolic encephalopathy and chronic kidney failure on the first of August 2016.

Truly, S. Francisca, the faith you had lived throughout your life to stand for your vocation in the midst of various challenges is now brought into fruition. You have now found the glory of God. Thank you for living up to your faith. Thank you for being an epitome of faith and perseverance. Farewell, our dear S. Francisca, may the holy wounds of Jesus and Mary bring you to the Father’s heavenly abode.

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

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace. 

Amen.