IN MEMORIAM

S. MARIA GREGORIA SAAVEDRA ZABALA, RVM

(August 4, 1942 – September 17, 2021)

S. Maria Gregoria Saavedra Zabala was a Second World War baby. Her parents, Geronimo Zabala and Estanislaua Saavedra, found joy in bringing up the baby Gregoria in the world despite the miseries, hatred, and fearful atmosphere around them. She was the second girl of three (2 girls and 1 boy), though she also had other half siblings on her father’s first wife. She was baptized on August 15, 1942 and was confirmed on September 13 of the same year. She grew up in a happy and loving family despite poverty in their residence at Mercedes, Zamboanga City. In the later years of her life, she was with her eldest half-brother, who took care of her and supported her studies, for which S. Maria Gregoria was most grateful. She took her elementary education at Putik Elementary School, Zamboanga City and her secondary education at School of Fisheries, Zamboanga City. She finished her degree in Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at St. Mary’s College, Quezon City in 1974 just before her tertianship.

S. Maria Gregoria was provided with her material needs and many opportunities in life, but later in her journey she acknowledged her spiritual poverty. She realized that something was lacking in her life, and she was unsure what that was. One time her close friend asked her if she was a Catholic or non-Catholic since she neither studied in a Catholic school nor trained to join religious activities. She was not at all exposed to different liturgical exercises. She was taken aback and felt insulted with the question. It challenged her, so she became a regular Mass goer and she made confessions regularly, though at first, she viewed them as mere fulfillment of her obligations and as sacrifices offered to God.

After her high school graduation, she seriously thought of her future, and one of her significant considerations was of becoming a nun. She was hesitant because she had no background with religious education. In addition, every time she would mention it to her family, they would burst into laughter because they knew that religious life entails hard work and sacrifices, and they were fully aware that S. Maria Gregoria was yet to experience them. However, she was not discouraged in the midst of embarrassment. With God’s grace, she found a friend who was an employee of Pilar College, Zamboanga City whom she requested to introduce her to any RVM Sister. After two years in college and two years of convincing her parents of her desire, she pursued her vocation despite of her parents’ half consent. With so much pain in her heart, she left her beloved family for the convent.

She stayed at Pilar College for her aspirancy formation with joy in her heart. She was accepted to postulancy on July 31, 1964 and was invested to noviceship on January 31, 1965. She took her first profession of vows on May 24, 1967 and final vows on March 04, 1975. Her silver jubilee on May 24, 1992 and her golden jubilee on February 02, 2017 were joyfully celebrated with profound gratitude to the God who graciously called her.

She participated in the mission of Christ as a teacher, assistant registrar, local / regional econome, local superior, school principal, librarian, food service in-charge, vocation animator, and dean of boarders in different regions. In 2015, she was transferred to St. Joseph Home because of her failing physical condition. She endured her suffering with light and cheerful disposition.

On September 17, 2021 at 3:48 in the afternoon, she joined our loving and merciful Creator as she succumbed to acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by Covid-19 at the age of seventy-nine years old. She was fifty-four years as Religious of the Virgin Mary.

Thank you, S. Greg, for the gift of your person to the Church and to the congregation. You are well remembered by your fidelity to spiritual exercises, availability, generosity, diligence and dedication to your assigned works and self-sacrificing gift of yourself. Your modesty, refined ways, gentleness, and humility are greatly appreciated. Thank you for getting along well with those around you through your kindness, thoughtfulness, cheerfulness, and concern for others.

May our merciful and loving God bless your Christ-like attitude. May His all-embracing love enfold your journey to eternity. May our Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, and Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo, all saints and angels in heaven joyfully welcome you in God’s abode.

Farewell, our dear S. Greg. We love you. May your soul rest in peace.

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

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace. 

Amen.