Captivated by the love of Jesus

Sr. Margaret Mary of the Sacred Heart, OCD (Josephine Lopez Benedicto)
1939 – 2017

CHILDHOOD

Josephine Lopez Benedicto was born on February 5, 1939 to Alfredo Benedicto and Melchora Lopez in Jolo, Sulu. She was the fifth of eight children. When her parents moved to Davao City, she was just a little girl who was brought one day to attend the “Clothing Day” of her former teacher and principal in Jolo, (Sr. Mary of the Sacred Heart) in the Carmelite Monastery located in the old Bankerohan site. Upon seeing the Sister in her bridal dress, she wondered who the “Groom” was and asked why He was not there. The reply she got was “JESUS is the Groom!” Young Josephine said to herself, “JESUS will also be my Groom.” Since then she held a secret attraction to Carmel and the desire to give herself to God started to blossom. In one of the feast day celebrations of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16, Josephine was chosen to wear the Carmelite habits which were specially sewn for little girls who would participate in the Solemn Procession on that day. Little Josephine was just too happy to wear the little Carmelite dress.

VOCATION TO CARMEL

Josephine finished her College Course in Elementary Education and spent her life enthusiastically as a teacher until she decided to follow her call to Carmel in 1962. Although her elder brother, Fr. Ben asked that she waited until after his Ordination to the Priesthood in December 1962, Josephine could not wait. Her desire to give herself completely to God was so strong that she was willing to leave everything behind. She entered on July 22, 1962 and on February 10, 1963, she received the holy Habit of Carmel and was given the name of SR. MARGARET MARY OF THE SACRED HEART. The next year of June 5, 1964, she made her First Profession.

Sr. Margaret Mary gave herself entirely to living her Carmelite life by taking on herself all the duties and tasks that were given to her without complain from cleaning the grilles, to feeding the cats and dogs. She was also assigned as a Refectorian, Portress, tunic Office and later on she was entrusted with accompanying the young formands as Novice Directress. She was also gifted with Music and tried to recall her piano lessons by playing in her spare moments. Singing was just so easy for her, resounding her big Alto voice especially during the Divine Office and Holy Mass. She was convinced that to sing well was “praying twice over”. What was her secret? She learned to do things always with a SMILE so that all those who knew her always remembered her as the Sister with a sweet SMILE. (She even started to “promote” that SMILE as her Apostolate.)

LINGERING ILLNESS

“Garet” as we fondly called her was not spared of physical discomfort namely SICKNESS. Together with the other Medics, we sometimes played a joke on her as one of the Stockholders for she was admitted several times in the hospital. We could not count anymore how many times we called the assistance of 911. Twice brought to the ICU in San Pedro Hospital a few years ago, she jokingly told the Sisters, “Garet is always dying but never dies.”

Her illness progressed rapidly since December 2016. She spent a week in the hospital because she was diagnosed with Pneumonia. Thanks be to God and the help of the medical experts of SPMC, she was discharged. Happy to be home before December 8, she enjoyed the Sisters’ company. We tried to give her what she needed: the food she liked and anything she could take to sustain her and give her a bit of energy. Unfortunately, she lost her appetite so she became weak. We could not help but worry knowing her physical condition was slowly deteriorating.

Truly, life on earth is very fast… a quick passing compared to the eternity awaiting us in heaven. We would remember how vibrant Sr. Margaret was, with all her wittiness plus her sweet smile, but when illness struck her frail body, everything changed.

INTENSE SUFFERING AND DEATH

January 1, 2017 we started the New Year in the hospital again because we feared for her condition. Though she recovered a bit and was back home again to the Monastery. But it did not take long because we noticed that her immune system was getting low and her delicate body was not responding to medical treatment and was getting worse. So 911 brought her again back to the hospital. This time several types of bacteria got into her weak system. Thus she developed what we call SEPSIS. Everything was done for her to get relief but chances of cure would take a miracle.

At this time of suffering and excruciating pain, Sister could be heard whispering the name of JESUS most of the time. Often, she would say: “JESUS, have mercy” while holding her Rosary. The pain progressed and she was advised for Dialysis. After the third procedure, she was rushed to the ICU. It was a very pitiful site to see. We could not even spend a longer period there due to the short time allotted for the limited number of visitors.

Meanwhile, the Sisters kept on asking when was Sr. Margaret coming home to the Monastery. Finally, she was brought home in the afternoon of March 21. Providence was just there. When we needed an Ambulance, Dr. Rick Audan, MD., the Chief of Clinics offered the brand new Ambulance of SPMC. (Dr. Leopoldo Vega, MD., the Medical Chief was in Manila, so the Chief of Clinics facilitated everything.)

Sister was very happy to be home. But the “spouse of the Sacred Heart” had to be purified for a couple of days more. We surrounded her with prayers and songs and we encouraged her with the assurance of our love and support. Her siblings were informed again that her end was inevitable and her Niece in Mati Carmel, Sr. Maria Lina of Jesus, OCD finally arrived in the evening of Thursday, March 23. We took turns praying around her but when we noticed her slow breathing, we realized JESUS will come soon for Sister. This time she brightened her eyes when we started to sing her favorite song: O SACRED HEART. At exactly 3:45 am of Friday, March 24, 2017 she finally joined her Creator. The Sacred Heart fetched her at the right time when we resounded her Infirmary room with prayers and singing. It was two weeks before Easter but we had our Alleluia… for Sister.

POSTCRIPT

More than a million thanks goes to SPMC Medical Staff especially to the Medical Chief, Dr. Leopoldo Vega, MD and Dr. Ricardo Audan, MD, the Chief of Clinics. Their love and concern made Sister’s stay in the hospital like a home, thus peaceful, contented and happy. Thanks also to the attending Physician and other Doctors for their wholehearted concern, tender care and loving service.

Our two “angels” in the Infirmary deserve a big Thank You. Cora and Reina did their job with flying colors. They bore many sleepless nights only to make sure that Sister received the needed care and attention.

To all our Benefactors and friends… thank you.

To all our Sisters in Carmel from Laoag to Jolo… thank you for your love and prayers. To our Friars also especially Fr. Alan and all in Tugbok, Holy Family Monastery… many, many thanks from the bottom of our hearts. (DAVAO CARMEL)