" The first flower transplanted from the College of Pilar ( an RVM School in Zamboanga City) to heaven. There she will obtain from God that the College shall rise and prosper." Eulogy of Bishop Clos on the death of Sister Maria Josefa Encarnacion, RVM, November 19, 1921.
Josefa was born on April 24, 1894 in the historic town of Vigan, Ilocos Sur, once called Villa Fernandina by its founder, Juan de Salcedo, grandson of illustrious Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. She was the eight of family of ten: five sons and five daughters. Due to an apparent danger of death, she was baptized shortly after her birth. She grew up a merry, clever, pious child, winning the hearts of all those who knew her. She was only three years old when her mother died, leaving her to the care of her grandmother, Dona Juana Florentino.
In school Josefa made steady progress under the direction of the Sisters of St. Paul D'Chartres, distinguished in her application to study, her care for the household, and her steadfast piety. Diligent and dependable, she undertook household chores with care and solicitude. Preparation of food, cleanliness in the home, washing and the care of pets all fell upon Josefa. She paid extra attention to her father, carefully preparing food he liked to eat. If anyone fell ill, Josefa was there with her tender care. Even at an early age, Josefa showed great piety. With her sisters she went to early Mass in order to be able to prepare breakfast and be on time for class. She led the family recitation of the rosary very night, and on Sundays she taught catechism. She was full of life and enjoyed parties as other girls of her age.
The turning point in Josefa's life came when she was 13 years old. As was her custom she made a visit to the Blessed Sacrament in the cathedral after her class. Her prayer went this way; " My mother is dead, my father has remarried. I love my grandmother. Otherwise, there is nothing that attracts me in this world. Will the Sisters at the College (of the Holy Rosary in Vigan) receive me ? Or any other convent ? Will my health sustain me if I become a religious?" Finally she confided her thoughts to her confessor, the Jesuit Father Thompkins, who told her that if she desired to become a religious she must make a decision. He explained to her the nature of religious vows. He informed her that aside from the Sisters of St. Paul who taught her, there was the Beaterio in Manila ( Fr. Thompson is referring to the RVM Congregation). He advised her to wait until she was fifteen, and in the meantime, to pray.
In December 1908 Josefa's stepmother died. Only a year did she broach the subject of her entering the convent to her father. He was adamant in denying her permission, pointing out that her little sisters needed her care. So Josefa waited for the next eight years. Her confessor told her that she could go when she was 25. At 20 she informed her confessor that she was determined to go without her father's permission but he told her, "Wait a little longer. The ripe fruit will fall by itself. God holds in His hands the hearts of all men. Go to St. Joseph and promise nine Masses for Holy Souls if you obtained permission."
Josefa decided to use a little strategy on her own. One evening after preparing a family dinner, she approached her father to ask his blessing before retiring, and in tears begged him to allow her to enter the convent. He remained inflexible, and Josefa had no sleep that night. In the morning, however, her father had changed his mind, and on December 31, 1916 he accompanied Josefa to the Novitiate of the Beaterio de la Compania de Jesus in Paranaque. A week later her father died.
The impact her father's death left an emptiness not easily assuaged, but Josefa resisted all attempts of her family to convince her to return home. She went through her formal formation without further hurdles, and on February 2, 1919 she pronounced her first vows. When her grandmother became ill Sister Josefa was accompanied by Mother Vicar to visit her to the great consolation of the old lady, seeing Josefa in her religious habit.
Sister Josefa's first assignment was to Sacred Heart Academy (now St. Mary's Academy) in Guagua, Pampanga, but shortly after she was sent to Pillar College in Zamboanga. She was at her mission only a few months when she fell ill. Sometimes she was seen to weep over her incapacity to be active in the mission, however she accepted the will of God and offered her life for the work she could not do. Until the end she retained her vivacity and the full command of her faculties. She received the Last Sacraments with heavenly smile, asked pardon for her faults. To those who wept she said: "I am happy to die in the house of God." She passed away on November 19, 1921. She was only 28 years old, and four years as a professed religious. Because the cathedral was taken up by Sunday services, her funeral was celebrated in the convent chapel, with Bishop Clos presiding and giving the eulogy.
After her death, Sister Josefa is credited for helping recover lost things after her assistance is invoked. It was recalled that during her illness, when the Sisters misplaced some things, she would volunteer to pray that they be recovered since she could not do more herself. Many confirmed the favors was asked of her while on earth, and she seemed to hold true to that promise.
Below is an excerpt from a letter written by Sister Maria Josefa to the Blessed Mother found after her death. Dated August 13, 1921, the letter may be considered a faithful description of her life.
" To my Mother in Heaven-Most loving Mother, after two days, we celebrate thy Assumption to thy Son in heaven; wilt thou leave me in this land of danger and exile ? Wilt thou not beg thy Son to take me to Himself ? I am not worthy, it is true: I have much to satisfy for; but thy Son will refuse thee nothing. I beseech thee, dear Mother, to take me; but let the will of God be done. Obtain for me at least the grace of final perseverance, a profound humility, and a love stronger than death. I also beg for the conversion of sinners and everlasting peace for the faithful departed. Obtain for me the gift of patience, and the grace of saving many souls by Christian teaching. Bless, dear Mother, my Superiors, Sisters and benefactors and the grace of conversion for my townspeople in Ilocos and Zamboanga. I beg for myself a spiritual renewal and pardon of all my sins. Forget me not, loving Patroness, but forget my faults and negligence, and bring me soon to thyself in the bliss of our heavenly home. Meanwhile, send us benefactors and children for our schools, and accept my desire for a happy death, to be forever with thee.
The last and least of thy children,
Josefa Encarnacion."
Sister Maria Josefa is credited for helping recover lost things after her named is invoked. Many have confirmed the favors she has granted to those who ask her intercession. Her promises moreover to remember what was begged of her while on earth, were surprisingly fulfilled. Such was this saintly Sister. May the young people of her native land imitate and invoke her.
Manila, feast of the Mother of Fair Love,
May 1928. Thus end her biography.
May 1928. Thus end her biography.
