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S. MARIA PRAXEDES CANAG CABALFIN, RVM
(July 21, 1928 – July 25, 2018)
S. Maria Praxedes Canag Cabalfin, born on July 21, 1928, was the ninth of the ten children (four boys and six girls) of Florencio Cabalfin and Isidra Canag of Leon, Iloilo. Three of her siblings died in infancy. She was baptized just few days after her birth because of her poor health. She received the sacrament of confirmation but no record shows it because her certificate was burned.
She grew up in a family that valued faith, unity, and respect. She was raised by parents who were devout Catholics and who were loving, caring, understanding, gentle and soft-spoken. She described her parents and also her siblings as resourceful and hard-working, and she believed that these made them survive decently despite poverty. Through the examples of her parents, sacrifices and bearing hardships with courage, patience and joy were inculcated in her young mind and heart.
As a child, Praxedes actively participated in spiritual activities like Bible classes, praying the rosary, catechism, and value-formation. Together with her younger brother she never failed to join the Flores de Mayo, the month-long celebration which they always looked forward to with excitement. Their enthusiasm would climax during its culmination when their family would prepare food to share with other children after the celebration of the Holy Mass.
Life became difficult in the Cabalfin home when war broke out, but faith, hope and love bonded them as a family. These virtues enabled them to carry on with courage amidst threats and difficulties in climbing one mountain to another, so as to avoid the ordeal of the Japanese soldiers.
S. Praxedes finished her intermediate education at Leon Central School. After the war, she continued her secondary education at Leon Parochial School of St. Catherine in Iloilo City ran by the Mill Hill Missionary Fathers.
After high school, her older Sister brought her to Mlang, North Cotabato where she was hired as Librarian at Notre Dame of Mlang. She only learned library work through the guidance of her elder sister. It was only after many years in the mission as a religious that she graduated from Bachelor of Secondary Education at St. Michael’s College, Iligan City.
While working, she also involved herself in the catechetical work of the parish. She remained faithful in joining the celebration of the Mass and other spiritual activities. Until one day, she felt a great desire to enter in the Carmelite Monastery in Davao City. However, when she confided to a priest, the latter told her to try the Religious of the Virgin Mary. It was in Cotabato City, where she was introduced to Rev. Mother Maria Andrea Montejo, who later accepted her to the congregation.
She started her aspirancy in July 1951 at Notre Dame of Cotabato. Detaching herself from her family that she deeply valued was indeed painful for her. Yet, with courage, she pursued her dream. She was accepted to postulancy on February 01, 1952 and was invested to noviceship on February 02, 1953. She made her temporary vows on February 02, 1955 and perpetually professed on February 02, 1961. On February 02, 1980, she celebrated her silver jubilee and on February 02, 2005, her golden jubilee.
She served the congregation in its dormitory ministry as Sacristana and in-charge of boarders. She was greatly involved in the education ministry as a religion teacher and librarian. As a librarian, she served for four (4) years in St. Michael’s College, Iligan City, two (2) years in Notre Dame of Midsayap, five (5) years in Pilar College, Zamboanga City, nine (9) years in St. Mary’s Academy, Roxas City and another nine (9) years in St. Mary’s College, Quezon City as Library Consultant—a total of twenty-nine years.
S. Maria Praxedes’ journey was not that easy because of her physical health condition; she was almost always sick. But with her positive disposition, taking every event or situation as God’s grace, she was able to persevere and remained ever loving and faithful to God and His mission. She remained inspired by the good examples of the Sisters in-charge of her formation. Amidst her struggles, she described her journey as a religious to have been filled with joy and gratefulness.
She was described by those whom she was in contact with in education ministry as a loving and gentle mentor not only professionally but also spiritually. Through her unwavering commitment and dedication, she was acknowledged for her share in the successes of PAASCU accreditations and ISO 9001: 2000 certifications in the area of Library. She was also famed for her motherly and loving gestures and smile that made the work of her staff light in those years of hardwork.
Residing at St. Joseph Home since 2011, those who attended to her appreciated her for being patient, gentle, soft-spoken, thoughtful, kind and cheerful. They said that her undemanding character / demeanor made her a joy to care for.
The words of St. Paul to the Corinthians were her life’s inspiration: “Love bears all things, hopes all things and endures all things.” (1 Cor.13) True indeed, holding on to this assurance, she remained ever dependent on God’s strength that kept her in the mission through good and bad days, in health and in sickness. She never wavered to thank God for the gift of wisdom that allowed her to see the path towards Him, for courage that enabled her to take her daily crosses, and for faith that made her believe in His presence at all times.
She embraced the call to eternal life on July 25, 2018 at 1:23 in the afternoon, four days after she celebrated her 90th birthday. She suffered from cerebrovascular disease probably embolic due to Atrial Fibrillation.
Thank you, S. Praxie, for the ninety (90) years of fruitful living, sixty three (63) years of which were spent in faithful service as Religious of the Virgin Mary. Thank you for being an epitome of hope, faith, love, and contemplative presence. Your name means “one who does well” and true to your name, you did things in the spirit of Magis, all for the greater honor and glory of God.
For certain, Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Mother Ignacia are now holding your arms and are leading you towards eternal glory. Farewell, our dear S. Maria Praxedes.
Eternal rest grant unto S. Maria Praxedes, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May she rest in peace.
Amen.
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