Asuncion Ventura
| Sr. Asuncion Ventura, D.C. | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Cristina Ventura 1853 Bacolor, Pampanga, Philippines |
| Died |
November 22, 1923 Pampanga, Philippines |
| Cause of death | old age |
| Citizenship | Filipino |
| Occupation | religious nun; missionary |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Congregations served | Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul |
Sr. Asuncion Ventura y Bautista (b. 1853 - d. November 22, 1923) was a Filipino Catholic Nun of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul and the founder of Orphanage of San Vicente de Paul, where she spent her inheritance money in building the said orphanage. Raised by a wealthy family, Ventura proved that money could be a root of good and it can be used in helping people who were in need. She is also a candidate for sainthood, whose cause is currently under investigation within the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. [1] [2]
Early Life
Baptized with the name Cristina, she was born in Bacolor, Pampanga and was the fourth child of Honorio Ventura and Cornelia Bautista. Although considered as one of the wealthiest families in Bacolor, the Venturas remained to be deeply religious. Cristina grew up in an environment of ardent faith and love of God. She studied at the La Consolation College where her love for God and fellowmen heightened. One day, she asked permission to her parents if they would allow her to join the Sisters of Charity but the couple objected such idea. Soon after the death of her parents, she immediately joined the Compania de las Hijas de la Caridad where she assumed the name Sister Asuncion Ventura.
Charity Works
Ventura utilized the money she inherited from her parents in aiding the young people who were in great need of help. She built a home and a school for orphans where it became a haven not only for orphans but for very poor children as well. It also served free food, clothes and shelter, and the orphans were also provided with free education up to the seventh grade.
When Cameron Forbes, a scholarly American governor-general, visited her orphanage, she was deeply touched by Ventura's works and love for the young orphans and less fortunate children. Sister Asuncion talked to him and explained the need for the orphanage wherein the governor-general readily promised her help. Through the Philippine Legislature, she passed a law appropriating money to the orphanage. Sister Asuncion's charitable act did not stop from founding and maintaining an orphanage - she also extended help to the beggars by giving them financial aid every month. Even needy people outside of the country were objects of her benevolent aid. She also supported the Escuela Catholico de Paco, another school for poor children, financially. Nor did she forgot people close to her family. She placed deserving relatives and friends under her benevolence.
At the age of seventy, Sister Asuncion tirelessly remained dedicated in her charity works. Before her death, she left a will and a requested her nephew, nieces and other relatives to carry on her service after she was gone. Sister Asuncion's life was a saintly one as she never gave a thought for herself and focused in using her resources and dedicating her life to the needy and helpless.
Beatification
Because of the holy life showed by Sr. Asuncion, many of her inspired people wish to open her cause for beatification. Now the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul and the Congregation of the Mission in the Philippines, are already setting up some investigations which may work out as an official opening of her cause.
References
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