“An Angel on the Road”

Sr. Mary Angelina of the Blessed Sacrament, of the Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCD) is fondly known as Sr. Angie. She passed away on the Solemnity of the Epiphany at the age of 93, and was laid to rest on January 6, 2016 at the cemetery of the Carmelite Monastery, Tua-tua, Mati City. Bishop Emeritus Patricio H. Alo, DD officiated at the 9:45 AM Solemn Eucharistic Celebration with Fr. Alan Rieger, OCD as homilist, and other priests concelebrating, namely: Apostolic Administrator Fr. Edito S. Baño, Fr. Marven Ruyeras, MI, Fr. Roderick Tampis, MI Fr. John Jay Magpusao, MI and Fr. Randy Diamante, SDV. After the Mass, the family of Sr. Angie entered the cloister and together with the OCD nuns proceeded to the cemetery while friends, guests and benefactors waited outside. All those present prayed until Sr. Mary Angelina was finally laid to rest, accompanied by beautiful songs sung by Carmel’s Choir.

Who is Sr. Mary Angelina, OCD?

As I waited for the Eucharistic Celebration, I had an interesting chat with Louella C. Puno, a niece of Sr. Angie, who is presently residing in Tagum. I came to know that the real name of Sr. Mary Angelina is Eutiquia Tagimacruz Cayme. She was born in Sibonga, Cebu on December 11, 1922, the youngest among six siblings. Her parents were Placido Cayme and Francisca Tagimacruz. According to Louella, after the death of Eutiquia’s parents, her auntie Aurea who is the eldest in the family, migrated to Davao in 1958, along with Eutiquia (Sr. Mary Angelina). Eutiquia had great interest in Catechetics and selflessly dedicated herself to teaching the children, leading the Flores de Mayo, as well as participating actively in the activities of her Legion of Mary unit. In 1963, she entered the Carmelite Monastery in Davao and took the name of Sr. Mary Angelina of the Blessed Sacrament. She continued to demonstrate her example as a woman of great faith, of strength and selfless dedication. Then in 1987 she was transferred to Mati to help in the new foundation.

Before I ended the conversation with Louella, I asked her how she would describe her auntie. She told me that Sr. Mary Angelina was soft-spoken and very generous in giving herself. She loved to sing, to sew and was fond of animals, especially chickens. I was indeed grateful to this short chat I had with Louella. I realized that a life of prayer and service done with so much love and passion is worth pleasing to God. Sr. Mary Angelina, thanks for the gift of your person.

To the Carmelite nuns, Sr. Mary Angelina is known by her great zeal and untiring services to Carmel. She served as an extern sister in both communities in Davao and Mati. She was called as an “angel on the road” because of her countless trips from Davao to Mati in the procurement of construction materials for the new foundation in Mati. She was seen in the truck bringing those materials to Mati, including cows donated by generous benefactors. All the benefactors knew her by heart. She will surely be remembered by her sisters because of her joyful and humble witnessing and her generous services rendered to them. Sr. Angie had served the Lord in all the ‘seasons of life’ up to her last moments on earth. She died peacefully with a sweet smile on her face, looking beautiful crowned with white flowers. Indeed she was God’s faithful treasure, as aptly described in the Mass introduction that had this Bible quote: “Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His faithful ones.”

Sr. Mary Angelina of the Blessed Sacrament, may you pray for us to the Lord our God. (Sr. Mary Lynn G. Alfeche, CM)