IN MEMORIAM

S. MARIA NICETAS PANGAN DAEL, RVM

(January 02, 1921 – January 13, 2019)

S. Maria Nicetas Dael was born in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental on January 02, 1921 as a second to the oldest in a family of six girls (2 died in infancy) and two boys. Her father Eulogio Dael, was a school teacher, and her mother, Rufina Pangan, was a convent – bred lady. They brought up Nicetas and her siblings to be good and spiritual children of God.

Nicetas was baptized on the day she was born because all those around her thought that she would die after having been delivered. She survived and her mother became her first catechist who helped her prepare for her first communion which was very significant for her. She grew up with a special devotion to St. Therese of the Child Jesus and with deep love for the Eucharist. She never failed to join the daily Mass and receive the Holy Communion.

She took up her primary and elementary education at Jasaan Public School. At age 12, she had to stop her schooling with the death of her father which pained her a lot. Meanwhile, her mother showed much courage and strength in the Lord who helped her take care of seven children by working as a seamstress and business woman.

With the financial assistance of three Jesuit priests, who became the parish priests of Jasaan, the young Nicetas continued her studies at Lourdes Academy, Cagayan de Oro. After she finished the high school normal course, she taught in Jasaan Catholic School until the war broke-out. The family experienced a great ordeal during the second world war when they had to ran from one mountain to another.

She recalled that while in Lourdes Academy, she came in contact with the RVM Sisters and was edified by their holiness and life of witness, which inspired her to enter religious life. So after the war, she took time to seriously pray and discern regarding her desire to follow Jesus Christ. Living a holy life of marriage was before her but she had not been strongly attracted to it. The call to religious life was stronger, so when Mother Andrea Montejo, RVM visited Lourdes College, she invited her to enter the Congregation, and without any hesitation she heeded the invitation.

She entered postulancy on May 19, 1946 and noviceship on November 20, 1946. She had her temporary profession on November 21, 1948 and perpetual profession on May 24, 1954. She celebrated her silver jubilee on November 21, 1973 and golden jubilee on November 21, 1998.

She was a Junior Sister when she completed the Bachelor of Arts in Education major in English at St. Joseph’s College, Borongan in 1952. She finished her Master of Arts in English Literature minor in Journalism, Speech and Dramatics at the Ateneo de Manila. She had her special study on Pianoforte as well. She also took Master of Arts in Educational Management and Administration in 1974 in the same institution.

She served the Congregation and the Church as English teacher, high school principal, college dean and directress, regional superintendent in Luzon schools, major plays and choir director, coach of oratorical and singing contests. She also involved herself in Radio Veritas as staff and researcher. She became the National Executive Secretary of the Pontifical Mission Societies for twelve years and editor of the congregational newsletter, “Ancilla” and Mission Newsletter of Pontifical Mission Society. She devoted herself to the Congregation’s endeavors for the beatification of Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo as National MIM Executive Secretary from 1996 to 2004. From 2005 until 2017, she dedicatedly took charge of the Mother Ignacia Movement Newsletter “Ang Uliran.” Truly, her selfless and untiring service to augment the support needed for the Cause of the Beatification of Mother Foundress was noteworthy.

The journey of S. Maria Nicetas as Religious of the Virgin Mary was not a bed of roses. She had her share of difficult times, as she recounted that obstacles on her way were plenty which tested her patience. But she persevered with the assurance of the overwhelming love of God despite her inadequacies. She was described by the Sisters as dedicated, hard-working, and committed to her responsibilities despite her physical limitations. Blessed with a listening heart, she was generous of herself, always willing to extend her assistance to those in need. True to her name, she had a strong and determined nature, asserting her faith in the truth.

S. Maria Nicetas survived, religiously attended, and discharged her responsibilities as Elected Delegate in ten (10) Ordinary General Chapters and two (2) Special Chapters from 1950 to 2001. Her unwavering stance on what is best for the Congregation and the communities in terms of supporting relevant policies was remarkable.

Assured of eternal and glorified life, S. Maria Nicetas peacefully breathed her last at 4:30 in the afternoon of January 13, 2019, the feast of the Baptism of our Lord, because of cardiac failure due to arrhythmia. That was a day after the 71st Anniversary of the Definitive Approval of our Constitutions.

Thank you, S. Nice, for a meaningful life of ninety-eight years and seventy (70) years of which as Religious of the Virgin Mary. Your prayer has now come to a reality:

“So now I let myself go. . . no withholding of anything. 

Total abandonment! That is what I should have. 

Wherever you send me Lord, let me follow your will. 

Doing so, will give me Peace and Joy because it is resting in You!”

May the peace, joy, and love of the Risen Lord enfold you. May Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, St. Therese of the Child Jesus, and Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo lead you to your resting place. Farewell, S. Maria Nicetas.

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

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace. 

Amen.