IN MEMORIAM

S. MARIA LUZ CENIZA MERCADO, RVM

(January 18, 1925 – July 29, 2020)

S. Maria Luz Ceniza Mercado who hailed from Mandaue, Cebu was the daughter of Leandro Mercado and Annunciation Ceniza. She was born on January 18, 1925. Her baptismal and confirmation records are not available since the rectory of the parish where she received the said sacraments was burned. She grew up with her pious aunts who reared her with firmness and gentleness and exposed her to “santo ejercito” or holy retreat which her aunts usually conducted in their parish church.

The young Luz finished her elementary education at Mandaue Elementary School and her secondary education at St. Theresa’s College, Cebu. She took Elementary Teachers’ Certificate (ETC) at San Carlos University. She completed her degree in Bachelor of Science in Education from St. Mary’s College, Quezon City in 1959. She finished her Master’s Degree in 1967 at Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City and her Doctoral Degree on March 22, 1980 at the Philippine Women’s University.

She left home to enter religious life without informing any member of her family because they were against her decision. She was accepted to postulancy on February 02, 1947 and to noviceship on August 15, 1947. She pronounced her temporary vows on August 15, 1949 and perpetual profession on August 15, 1955. She celebrated her silver jubilee on August 15, 1974 and golden jubilee on August 15, 1999 with much gratitude to God for His unwavering faithfulness and love despite her infidelities and imperfections.

S. Maria Luz served the Congregation and the Church as a teacher, school registrar, procurator, principal, dean of discipline, college dean, guidance coordinator, and in-charge of dormitory residents. Most of her missionary endeavors were spent in Mindanao where she responded to those in need with passion and charity. In her assignment in Lourdes College, albeit short, she was able to help two blind and a deaf-mute college students to finish their studies. She also generously assisted some public school teachers in their thesis writing for their MA degree.

When she was assigned in Davao City, she got involved in the Guidance Center of the University of Mindanao (UM) formerly The Mindanao Colleges where she helped in the psychological and spiritual development of the faculty and students. Her service to this institution was very significant to her. She recounted that the institution was once owned by the late Doña Felisa whom the Sisters called “Mama Feling” who was one of the outstanding benefactors of the Sisters. It was to “Mama Feling” that the Sisters normally ran to whenever they ran short of cash to pay the carpenters working in the construction of the Annex building for the Pharmacy and Medical Technology and the Auditorium of the Immaculate Conception College, now the University of the Immaculate Conception. The late Mother La Gracia Tan, the Superior of the community then, would send S. Maria Luz, being the procurator, to borrow some amount from “Mama Feling” who was always available and generous to help the Sisters financially, and it was gratis et amore. In return, S. Maria Luz helped tutor her granddaughters who were studying at ICC. The Sisters were like part of the family of “Mama Feling.” Such experience moved S. Maria Luz to pay forward the graces which the Sisters received.

Through S. Maria Luz’s leadership, the University of Mindanao Guidance Services Department received a recognition from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports. She found her mission in this university very fulfilling, and she felt at home in it because most of its personnel were graduates of RVM schools in Southern Mindanao. In the said university, she journeyed with a hard protestant desiring to be a Catholic, worked on marriage validations of some “amancebado” couples, nurtured vocations to priesthood and religious life, and offered free mentoring to many financially hard-up students doing their thesis writing.

Truly, S. Maria Luz was generous of her person, time and talents. She was an angel to some Sisters in their thesis writing. When she was recuperating from eye surgery at the Infirmary and waiting for her monthly check-up, she spent her time doing corporal works of mercy by visiting the sick in hospitals and facilitating prayers for the dying. She also spent time catechizing the inmates in Quezon City Jail.

In 2006 to 2011, part of her responsibilities in the Motherhouse Complex was to take charge of the education of the Lay Partners. She closely followed-up their studies and grades. She was also passionate to get scholarship grants for them. She would personally talk to the owners of the Central Colleges of the Philippines and Samson School of Technology to avail of a bigger discount. She would call them “anak” who, with their generosity and kindness, could not refuse S. Luz’s request for discounted fees. She had so much passion to help the poor who showed much interest to pursue their studies. It was no wonder that most of her visitors at St. Joseph Home were those whom she assisted to have a dignified and better life.

In 2012, with her failing health condition, she was transferred to St. Joseph Home for closer monitoring. On July 29, 2020 at 11:30 in the evening, on the memorial of St. Martha, S. Maria Luz’s earthly journey ended because of acute coronary syndrome.

Thank you, S. Maria Luz. You had been a Martha to many people especially to the underprivileged. Your industry, your conscientiousness in your work, and your love for service were noteworthy. You were not contented to be confined in the four walls of the convent; you found ways to reach-out to others. You were not only a “Martha” but also a “Mary” especially in moments when you faltered because of your temper and infidelities. You fervently prayed, reflected over your experiences, accepted your human frailties, and in all humility asked for forgiveness from God and from the Congregation’s leadership in particular. In silence, you cherished God’s ceaseless blessings in your life and humbly acknowledged the countless times you went against the will of God in your life.

Thank you, our dear S. Maria Luz, for the ninety-five years of earthly life and seventy years of which as Religious of the Virgin Mary. Thank you for the light you exuded to those who were groping in the dark, the hopeless and the poor.

May the Risen Lord in His mercy and compassion welcome you to His eternal dwelling. “May you see Him face to face and enjoy the sight of God forever.” May the Blessed Virgin Mary, all the Saints, the Angels and Mother Ignacia “come to meet you as you go forth from this life.” Farewell, our dear S. Luz. We love you!

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

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace. 

Amen.