IN MEMORIAM

S. MARIA LYDIA CARANZO DURO, RVM

(April 23, 1930 – June 12, 2020)

S. Maria Lydia Duro who hailed from Borongan, Eastern Samar was the second of three children (all girls) of Roberto Duro and Matilde Caranzo. Roberto was from San Quintin, Pangasinan who worked in Borongan as radio operator where he met Matilde who was a public school teacher, then. After marriage, they transferred to Catbalogan, Eastern Samar where Lydia was born. Lydia was only three (3) years old when her father died. After his death, the bereaved family returned to Borongan.

The young Lydia and her siblings were brought up by her pious and hard-working mother together with her grandparents and aunts. Prayers and other spiritual discipline were instilled in their young minds and hearts. Lydia received the sacrament of baptism on October 05, 1930. The date of her confirmation could not be verified because its document was eaten by termites. She received her first communion when she was seven years old after she underwent intensive catechism.

She finished her primary and elementary education at Borongan Elementary School and her high school and college education at St. Joseph’s College, now St. Mary’s College of Borongan.

She felt the call to religious life when she was six years old, and it was re-ignited when she was at St. Joseph’s College. When she was in second year high school, she applied as a working student so that she could closely observe the way of life of the Sisters. She was accepted to work as assistant cashier. With her constant contact with the Sisters, her desire to enter religious life became stronger.

She finished the Elementary Teachers’ Certificate or ETC in 1952 and graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Education in 1954. After graduation from college, she decided to enter the Religious of the Virgin Mary which brought disappointment and much pain to her mother, siblings and relatives. She was filled with anxiety before her departure for Manila but her earnest yearning to follow Jesus gave her inner courage and steadfast faith. Such courage and faith made her persevere in her call despite the challenges she experienced. As a novice and a young professed Sister, she was always sick as she was asthmatic. She was a novice when she was visited by her mother and younger sister. After the visit her sister got sick and eventually died, which caused much pain to S. Lydia because she was only informed a week after her sister’s death. Her mother was alone then in the house. In time of desolation, she used to pray, “Lord, if it is Your will that I become a Sister, grant me the courage and strength to persevere in your service in spite of my trials and sufferings. I know Lord that you send these trials for my sanctification”. Indeed, God’s grace, protection and compassion abound in her as she continued to utter her “Yes.”

S. Maria Lydia was accepted to postulancy on July 31, 1954. She proceeded to noviceship on August 14, 1955 and made her temporary profession on February 02, 1958. She pronounced her perpetual profession on February 02, 1964. She celebrated with great joy and gratitude her silver jubilee on February 02 1983, golden jubilee on February 02, 2008 and diamond jubilee in 2018.

Thirty-four (34) years of her missionary life was spent in the Education Ministry as a Mathematics and Physics teacher, school directress, principal and local Superior. She also blessed her communities with her ministry of presence. Twenty-six of her thirty-four years in the Education Ministry were spent in Eastern Samar. Her Master’s degree in Education major in Guidance and Counselling was used to the full as she dealt with kindness and understanding towards the teachers, students and parents and with people who were oftentimes affected by typhoon and other calamities. She was able to surpass sleepless nights because of fear of the New People’s Army infested area in Oras, Eastern Samar. She also served in Dormitory Ministry at Immaculate Conception Ladies’ Hall, España, Manila and at Mother Ignacia Home for the Elderly, Pansol, Laguna.

Along her journey, there were times that she thought of giving up her vocation but God’s faithfulness to her remained unwavering. Her constant prayers were “Thank you Lord for my perseverance as religious. Grant me good health and holy life until the end.”

In 2013, when her physical condition would no longer allow active ministry, she was transferred to the RVM Motherhouse. She was grateful for the opportunity to prepare for her last end, to pray for a holy life and happy death. In 2018, she resided at St. Joseph Home for closer monitoring of her health.

On June 12, 2020 at 2:55 in the afternoon, her desire to have a happy death was blessed by Her Creator. She peacefully left us while taking her “siesta.” Acute coronary syndrome was the cause of her demise.

Thank you our dear, S. Maria Lydia, for the holy life you lived for ninety (90) years and sixty-two (62) of which as Religious of the Virgin Mary.

You are lovingly remembered by your humility, prayerfulness, serenity, patience, generosity, hospitality, simplicity and kindness. A Sister recounted how she was touched with your genuine care and concern for the needs of others. She could not forget how she once asked you to pray for a certain intention, and after a week, even though you had difficulty walking, you took time to approach her early in the morning at the Main Chapel to ask about God’s intervention on the said intention. Indeed, your compassion for the poor and needy was evident in your life. Your soft-spoken and gentle demeanor was appreciated. Your enduring spirit in time of difficulties was truly noteworthy.

May the everlasting peace, love and joy of the Holy Triune God surround you. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and Mother Ignacia joyfully welcome you. Farewell, our dear S. Lydia, you will be in our hearts. Rest in the arms of the Angels. We love you.

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

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace. 

Amen.