IN MEMORIAM

S. MARIA GILDA CONSUELO AGRAMON DITCHON, RVM

(April 13, 1953 – October 20, 2021)

S. Maria Gilda Consuelo Agramon Ditchon who hailed from Balasan, Iloilo was the second of six children (five girls and a boy) of Fermin and Raquel. She was born on April 13, 1953 with the name of Eule. She was first baptized with the same name at the Philippine Catholic Independent Church or Aglipayan on April 01, 1956. As an aspirant to the congregation, she embraced the Catholic faith in baptism on January 27, 1983 at St. Michael’s Parish, Iligan City and was named Gilda Consuelo. She was given more time to know and be founded on the Catholic faith, practices, and traditions. She received the sacrament of confirmation on March 04, 1983 in the same Parish Church.

Eule was only six-month old when her grandparents took care of her. She was dependent of her needs on them. Due to poverty, she discontinued her high school education and finished it when she was already twenty-three (23) years of age at Zamboanga del Sur with the help of her uncle. Two years after high school graduation, she proceeded with her college education. She supported herself and was able to gain a bachelor’s degree in Commerce major in accounting at the Immaculate Conception College, Ozamis City on October 31, 1981.

She narrated that the seed of her vocation to religious life started when she met a religious Sister when she was five years old. This was nurtured by her life of prayer as exemplified by her grandmother. As young as 12 years old, though she was brought up as an Aglipayan, she memorized the prayers which the Catholics used to pray and other religious practices, except for the sacrament of reconciliation. Her encounter with the Columban Sisters during her high school days at the Sacred Heart High School at Molave, Zamboanga del Norte also helped her nourish her vocation. However, there was a time that she kept her desire to live a religious life to herself because every time she would open it up, her friends would discourage her. She focused her attention on her work and her studies until she graduated in college at the age of 28.

She then went to Iligan City and worked as a saleslady and cashier in a super mart where she met Virginia Ligaray, one of her customers and an aspirant then of the Religious of the Virgin Mary. Virginia became instrumental to her entrance to the RVMs.

In gratitude for the blessings she received, especially her education, she decided to live her heart’s desire to follow God’s call which was also supported by her family. She spent her aspirancy years at St. Michael’s College, Iligan City. She was accepted to postulancy on February 01, 1983 and was invested to noviceship on February 01, 1984. She pronounced her first profession of vows on August 15, 1986 and made her perpetual profession of vows on March 25, 1993. She joyfully celebrated her silver jubilee on August 15, 2011. She spent her missionary life as a Christian Living Teacher, Local Econome, and Finance Officer.

Her life in the mission is lovingly remembered by her being “a silent worker, unassuming, simple Sister, and a superb cook.” One of her companions in two communities recounted, “S. Maria Gilda did her work silently no matter how busy she was. In whatever she did, whether that was a report or cooking, she did them silently and without complaint… she was indeed a woman of few words. She preferred to be in the background and not call attention to herself. She wanted that her presence was not to be noticed at all. She was simple in her choices of food, recreation, and material things for herself. She was not a fan of complicated things or processes. She was contented with what was there. Though she was austere on herself, she was generous to others and abundantly gave the best. She loved to cook and she did it excellently. She made simple and very palatable dishes. She could also cook almost all kinds of flavorful and delightful dishes”. She found joy in cooking and seeing others enjoying what she prepared.

Besides being celebrated for her cooking, S. Maria Gilda was also known for her art and benevolence. Her love for sewing and handicrafts were appreciated. She touched the hearts of others through her friendliness, kindness and her being approachable. Her sensitivity to the feelings of others, her love and generosity for the poor were evident in her life.

In 2016, she was transferred to St. Joseph Home for closer monitoring of her physical health condition. For six years, she quietly endured her pain with stage 5 chronic kidney disease. On October 20, 2021, she humbly gave up to the will of God as she followed Jesus’ light when she succumbed to acute respiratory failure.

Thank you, S. Maria Gilda, for the sixty-eight (68) years of earthly life and thirty-four (34) years of which as Religious of the Virgin Mary. Your perseverance, courage, and faith to cope with life’s pains and difficulties were admirable. As beloved daughter of God, your greatest struggle with self-esteem is now certainly built-up by His everlasting love and peace.

We truly appreciate the gift of your person. May the Holy Triune God lift you up in the heavenly abode. May our Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo welcome you with great joy. With the company of the Angels and Saints, enjoy now the loving embrace of the Father, his beautiful and dignified daughter.

Please pray for us as we continue to take our journey towards wholeness and holiness of life. Farewell, our dear S. Gilda. Bring with you our love and prayers.

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

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace. 

Amen.