Death is always a shock even if we know that a person is not well. It saddens us and our experience of the death of Sr. Celestine reminds us that death comes to us all, at a time and on a date known only to God. Sr. Celestine was taken gently to her eternal home at 6:15 a.m. last September 30 while everybody was in the chapel for the Morning Praise. She had a beautiful peaceful entrance into eternal life. As we mourn today, we also express our gratitude for the generosity and encouragement which Sr. Celestine gave to all of us and for the many blessings everyone received through her for the past 71 years as an SFIC Sister. In the face of death, in our loss and grief, the Church provides us with a proclamation of hope. We are created for eternal life and everyone who is baptized shares in the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Sr. Celestine was born on July 6, 1928 in Tarlac, the second child of Eusebio and Celestina Vigilia. Her baptismal name was Luz and this was changed later to Celestine when she joined the SFICs. Her commitment to God and to the Church went right back to her childhood and marked her whole life. She wrote in her vocation story that it was her grandmother who taught her about God, her role model as a woman of faith. Her vocation to the religious life started at an early age. She felt a certain kind of attraction to the “madres” and she cut pictures of them from magazines or books and kept them within the pages of her books, inserted them in her notebooks or even between her clothes in the cabinet. She looked at the pictures daily and dreamt of being one of them. She imagined herself as a “madre”, and clothed with a white dress and a long veil with a big rosary hanging from her waist. She always looked forward to meet and be with them.
When her father was transferred to Guimba, she found her way to the SFIC Sisters. She had piano lessons with the Sisters just to get closer to them and occupy her days. She felt shy with the Sisters but was very curious about their way of life. Her dream was fulfilled when she was accepted as a Postulant on June 15, 1952. The following year, she was initiated to the religious life and professed her temporary vows on May 31, 1954. She made her final profession on May 31, 1957. Her piano studies with the Sisters prepared her for her music ministry in Bayombong, San Jose City, Solano, Manaoag, Ilagan, San Felipe and San Narciso, Zambales. She was also the Canteen Manager and Dean at the Jurgens Hall of SJCQC, in-charge of the Dorm and Food Management at the Little Flower Retreat House, Baguio City. In all her ministries, Sr. Celestine was a self-taught, hard-working and determined person. She was someone for whom her relationship with God and love of other people was fundamental to her whole identity. Her interest in other people was generous and genuine.
Her mental and physical pains from thyroid problem, breast cancer, heart aneurysm and bone fracture
are now over. Sr. Celestine suffered a lot the past three years and remained other-centred and uncomplaining. She gave great witness to suffering during her illness. She had the strength of faith she needed to carry the cross of her sickness and death. She prepared well for her passing from this world through her authentic Gospel life that enabled her to become a channel of God’s love. She was a successful person whose success came to her not by her degrees or books, but by her integrity, hard work, talents and ability, put to work in building God’s Reign. In all she did, she was teaching others how to live and love life, the greatest gift God has given us. A life well lived has no ending. Today we truly celebrate the culmination of a rich and successful life of 95 years. We believe now that she has received her reward of God’s eternal and loving presence and enjoying it in the company of her loved ones who have gone ahead of her. We bless and thank God for all that she was and we entrust her good and gracious soul to God confident that she will know new life, eternal life in Christ.
May you rest in God’s peace and loving embrace, Sr. Celestine!