IN MEMORIAM

S. MARIA MAURICIA TAPANG, RVM

(March 21, 1928 – March 18, 2020)

S. Maria Mauricia Tapang, who was born in Malolos, Bulacan was the second of the eight children (4 boys and 4 girls) of Adriano Tapang, Sr. who was a Practical Chemist / Teacher and Felisa Gatchalian Yu., a homemaker, who lovingly attended to her children. 

She finished her primary education in Malolos Elementary School and her intermediate education at Malolos Central School. Her secondary education was spent in Notre Dame Academy, Cotabato. After her graduation from the Cotabato Notre Dame High School in 1948, she was employed as a clerk in the Municipal Hall of Pagalungan, Cotabato. 

During her high school days from 1946 -1949 she helped in the Parish convent of Pikit, North Cotabato by doing clerical work. Fr. Mc Carthy, OMI, parish priest of Pikit that time, observed her to be exemplary in her conduct. She received the sacraments regularly, actively took part of the affairs in the Parish. She was polite, friendly and a good Catholic lady. At the time of her departure for entrance to religious life, she was the President of the Children of Mary and had just completed a period of Catechetical training. 

She was accepted to postulancy on May 24, 1949. After six months, on November 20, 1949, she was invested to noviceship. She pronounced her first profession on November 21, 1951 and made her perpetual profession on November 21, 1956. She celebrated her silver jubilee on November 21, 1976 and golden jubilee on November 21, 2001. 

After her perpetual profession, she was sent for studies at the University of Sto. Tomas taking up Bachelor of Science in Architecture. She spent many years of involvement as an architect and designer, supervising and monitoring the various constructions of the Congregation--whether it be schools, Sisters’ convents, retreat houses, dormitories, gymns and auditoriums. Her latest legacies were the renovations of the Main Chapel, St. Joseph Chapel and the construction of the Mother Ignacia Memorial Circle. Her works / designs reflected good craftmanship, a quality honed by and a product of the many years of her career / profession as an architect. 

As an architect, S. Maria Mauricia was generous in sharing her knowledge and learning with others, particularly to those who share her passion for design and construction. A young Sister recalled how she would be invited to visit S. Mau’s office where they would exchange ideas about color swatches and innovations in building design and construction. Indeed, she left an indelible mark of her giftedness and expertise in the field of design and construction. 

In one of her letters, she expressed her great endeavor and desire to become a perpetual member of the Congregation and “To Become a Saint.” 

She made this desire real in her service to the Congregation and the Church through her involvement in design and construction, as Directress of Juniors and Tertians, General Consultor, Regional, Local Superior and Directress of Retreats. 

As a formator, her formands described her as calm, gentle, approachable, gracious and disciplined. She was particular about cleanliness and was also remembered by her firmness. She was very appreciative of the young Sisters’ talents and potentials. Her encouragement would impel them to give more of themselves for the Congregation and for the Church. She fostered unity, love and service among the young Sisters. 

Her contemporary in religious life said that S. Mauricia was not only a builder of buildings put to good use but as a formator, she was also a builder of souls.

S. Maria Mauricia also loved to paint and to play the organ as she was and artist and musician at heart. She used her fondness for various forms of art to connect with the people around her and with God who strengthened her in all challenges she had in her journey as reflected in her earnest prayer:

“Lord, when I face a mountain, 

do not let me quit! 

Give me the strength to keep on striving 

until I climb over, find a pass-through, or tunnel underneath. 

And if my best efforts fail, give me the patience to stay 

and the perception to see the possibilities of turning any mountain 

into a gold mine with your help. Amen.” 

(taken from S. Mau’s Retreat Journal)

S. Maria Mauricia breathed her last on March 18, 2020 at 3:23 in the afternoon at The Medical City (TMC) because of acute myocardial infarction. 

Thank you so much, S. Maria Mauricia, for the ninety-two (92) years of earthly life and sixty-eight (68) years of which as Religious of the Virgin Mary. 

As you longed for water, but was deprived while undergoing treatment, may the Living Water who is Christ, fill you boundlessly. May Jesus Christ, the Builder and Ultimate Architect of our lives, welcome you, S. Mau, to His Heavenly abode. Certainly, Mary whose face you beautifully painted when you were still alive will surely gaze her face upon you. May St. Joseph and Mother Ignacia open their arms with joy as they welcome you.

Farewell, our dear S. Mau. We love you! Please pray for us in this time of crisis.

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

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace. 

Amen.