Mary Therese Vicente

Victorina Laxamana Vicente (March 23, 1921 - June 7, 1995) was a former Discalced Carmelite Nun in Lipa and a witness to the miraculous and mystical occurrences during the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the visionary postulant, Teresita Castillo in 1948-50. Before becoming a nun, she was one of the earliest members of the Legion of Mary in the Philippines. Her devotion to the Holy Face led her to the foundation of Sisters of the Holy Face of Jesus (HFJ)..^[1][2]

Early life

At age four, Vicente experienced a very serious and potentially fatal fever but according to the Memoirs of Mother Therese, Vicente was given Lourdes water, by a celadora of Lourdes Church which is stated to have saved her life. She also attended the Colegio de Santa Rosa, her family's househelp often brought her medicine, and the nuns at the institution often gave her extra merienda or food due to her poor health.

Missionary career

Legion of Mary

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During World War II, she was not hesitant to visit the slums. In 1942, Vicente was made Curia President. As president she traveled in different locations in Manila from Quiapo, Binondo and Santa Cruz despite the Japanese invasion and occupation. She organized the Inter Parish Catechetical Convention. She also extend the Legion in Pampanga. In one incident, she rode a truck with the Hukbalahap rebels and according to her she was not mistreated due to her being able to speak Kapangpangan. Vicente was able to establish the first Praesidia in a territory occupied by the Huks.

As a Carmelite

Vicente decided to become a Carmelite nun like St. Therese, her favorite saint.

Later life and death

Vicente got seriously ill in April 1995 due to complications from diabetes, affecting her heart. She died on June 7, 1995. A wake was conducted for seven days and was buried on June 13, 1995 at the Manila Memorial in Sucat, Parañaque. On June 13, 2012, her remains was exhumed and transferred to the Holy Face Chapel of the Sisters of the Holy Face of Jesus in Quiapo, Manila.

References