Braulia de la Santa Cruz
| Mother Braulia de la Sta. Cruz, R.V.M. | |
|---|---|
| Born |
March 26, 1856 Plaridel, Bulacan, Philippines |
| Died |
November 26, 1930 Manila, Philippines |
| Citizenship | Filipino |
| Occupation | religious nun; missionary; teacher |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Congregations served | Religious of the Virgin Mary |
Mo. Braulia de la Sta. Cruz (March 26, 1856 - November 26, 1930) was a Filipino Catholic Nun of the Religious of the Virgin Mary, known for her missionary works, teachings and acts of heroism. She was named a candidate for Sainthood, following her Venerable Founder, Ignacia del Espiritu Santo.[1][2]
Biography
She was born on March 26, 1856, to Timoteo de la Sta. Cruz and Agustina de Rueda of Guingua, Bulacan now Plaridel, Bulacan. Her desire for religious life took her to the Beaterio de la Compania de Jesus (Convent of the Company of Jesus) upon the recommendation of her confessor, the Jesuit Father Villafranca. She was vested with the habit on Sunday, October 1, 1876. She made profession of vows in 1877, and in 1879 proceeded to Tamontaca, Cotabato. In the mission, Mother Braulia's task was to care for the girls in the orphanage, teaching them the basic skills in education, and the work proper to women, without neglecting those necessary to become better Christians. It was one of those days when she took her turn to bring the girls to work in the fields when a Moro, facing disgrace for having been caught stealing a Carabao, went amok. Running close to where she was, the Moro gave her a blow which would have severed her head. Anticipating the blow, Mother Braulia had crouch so that the kris did not wound fatally. When the priest, the officer and the Jesuit Brother Vinola reached her, she was bathed in her own blood. Mother Braulia recovered from her wounds and resumed her care for the children, without the least thought of deserting her post. She impressed the missionaries with her generous spirit, begging her superiors to allow her to continue in the mission, ready to risk her life for her charges.
The work of the Beatas in the orphanage was deeply appreciated by their Jesuit co-workers. The letters of the missionaries to their provincial are full of praise for the Beatas. Father Pedro Pastells, S.J., states: "One does not know which to admire in the institution of the girls: the heroic abnegation and ultimate charity of the religious who direct them, or the admirable transformation worked in the girls. These has been received from the moros, half naked, the bigger ones ignorant, rude, and intractable while the smaller ones dirty and repulsive. In a short time they become unrecognizable, having without delay learned the Christian prayers. They learned all the household arts; sewing, washing, ironing of clothes, reading, writing. They worked in the fields planting and harvesting rice, under the heat of the sun or in the rain and mud, always accompanied by one of the Madres who serve as their angel-guide. In the midst of these occupations they lifted harmonious voices in joyful religious songs."
In 1893 Mother Braulia had to return to the Beaterio in Manila, and she was given charge of the parlor in the Beaterio where she continued to serve ... In August 1898 General Aguinaldo requested for volunteer infermarians for the army from the religious community. Among the Sistsers who offered to serve was Mother Braulia. The revolutionary government converted the parish convent of barasoain into a hospital and here the Sisters served.
Death
In April 1900 the Sisters returned to the Beaterio .In 1904 Mother Braulia had to be confined to the Infirmary where she lived out the rest of her years until her death on November 26, 1930. There was no apparent agony in her last moments, but she remained tranquil and at peace. She was 74 years old, and 54 years as a religious.
References
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| Servants of God |
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| Candidates for sainthood |
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