“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

This passage from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans (12:10-11) beautifully captures the essence of S. Maria Adoracion’s life. She exemplified her faith through love, humility, perseverance, generosity, and hospitality. As an RVM Sister, she dedicated herself to serving the poor and those deprived of liberty.

S. Maria Adoracion was born on June 16, 1931, to Nasaria Nano Romulo Garde and Daniel Cervantes Garde, both from Lucban, Quezon. She was the eldest child, followed by her brother Jose. Unfortunately, the birth of their third child, Artemio, resulted in the loss of their mother, and Artemio also passed away. Later, her father remarried Martina Oblena Garde, and they were blessed with two boys and two girls - S. Maria Adoracion’s half-siblings.

During her childhood, S. Maria Adoracion lived with her grandparents from both sides after her mother’s death. She reunited with her father, stepmother, and stepsiblings when she was in Grade 3. Taking on the role of caregiver for her younger siblings, she also assisted her stepmother in managing a beauty parlor after her father’s passing away during World War II.

Despite facing challenges, S. Maria Adoracion’s determination led her to work as a nanny for the Pineda family, caring for their newborn, one-year-old, and two-year-old children. She graduated from high school with the highest honors in 1952, even as a working student.

Her pursuit of education continued when she approached their parish priest, Msgr. Antonio Radovan. He recommended her to St. Mary’s College, Quezon City, hoping she would consider a religious vocation. Homesickness overwhelmed her. She often cried before the Blessed Sacrament. The Sisters noticed this so the community sent her back home, thinking she would find happiness there. However, her grandmothers and aunts noticed that she remained lonely despite many social activities.

Returning to Msgr. Radovan, she sought his help to rejoin St. Mary’s College. With his recommendation, the Sisters warmly welcomed her back. She studied a two-year course (ETC) before being accepted as an aspirant.

In 1954, she began her postulancy, followed by her novitiate in 1955. On February 2, 1957, she made her first profession of vows.

Her first assignment was at St. Mary’s College in Meycauayan, Bulacan, where she served as Teacher In-charge. Later, she moved to Sta. Rita, Pampanga. On Saturdays, she traveled to St. Mary’s College in Quezon City to continue her studies. After five years, she was called to Tertianship and made her perpetual profession of vows on February 2, 1963. Throughout her religious life, she held various assignments, including ICC, Davao; SMA, Dipolog; SMA, Baganga; HCA, Sta. Cruz; SHA, Nagcarlan; SMA, Baliuag;  SMA, Yakal;  ICC, Marinduque;  LC, Cagayan de Oro City;  Sacramento, California; Honolulu, Hawaii; SMC, Tagum; and MH, Quezon City. In 2006, she was transferred to St. Joseph Home.

However, it was her ministry to those deprived of liberty that left a lasting impact. This calling emerged in her heart during her assignment at Lourdes College in Cagayan de Oro City in 1985. S. Maria Reinalda Sison used to bring her in her visits to the inmates at Lumbia City Jail and Provincial Jail. Her involvement in the prison apostolate deepened over time. They went with the priest who celebrated Mass alternately on Sundays. Driven by compassion, she solicited soap, slippers, clothing, medicines, and other personal items for the inmates.

Certain experiences remained etched in her memory. She witnessed an inmate using a large empty can, which still had sticky coal tar remnants (alkitran) to hold his hot soup. Another time, she observed flies hovering over the inmates’ food. In subsequent visits, they ensured the inmates received decent packed meals.

One poignant incident involved a female inmate who attempted self-harm with a blade. S. Maria Adoracion provided support, leading her to confession and eventual healing. In addition to this poignant experiences, she recalled that some women inmates who had been imprisoned for traveling to Zamboanga by boat without the required tickets were sexually abused by a prison warden. S. Maria Adoracion courageously intervened, securing their freedom.

These and other fulfilling experiences in jail apostolate led her to love the work. Even when she was transferred to Sacramento, California, and Honolulu, Hawaii, she continued the ministry with S. Maria Olivia Kingsbury as her constant companion. She was later reassigned to Lourdes College, where, despite her teaching responsibilities, she actively engaged in prison ministry and served the informal settlers in Basurahan, Barrio Consolacion, and Sacred Heart Village in Cagayan de Oro City.

After two years, she was transferred to DAPECOL (Davao Penal Colony) while based in St. Mary’s College, Tagum. Here, she dedicated herself full-time to meeting the needs of medium and maximum security inmates. She organized exercise drills for them before providing academic and religious classes. With God’s blessings, she sought benefactors for the inmates’ personal essentials: slippers, medicines, writing materials, clothing, and toiletries. The Sisters in the community and students of SMC, Tagum generously shared their resources. Cabinets for books, medicines, guitars, curtains, altar tables, and benches for Masses were secured from other RVM communities and benefactors. Copies of Cebuano Bibles were obtained from the Bible Society store; and an overhead projector helped to facilitate their liturgical celebrations and spiritual formation.

A priest named Fr. David, who also involved in this ministry, played a crucial role in keeping the inmates busy and helping them earn income. They engaged in activities such as gathering mahogany seeds, raising seedlings, carving wooden images and furniture, and even crafting rings from coins. Fr. David provided financial support for these endeavors. S. Maria Adoracion supplied holy pictures for their frames, and the frame featuring St. Therese of the Child Jesus became saleable.

Sports played a part in their recreation and camaraderie. Basketball, volleyball, billiards, and badminton tournaments were held. Invited priests from the Diocese of Tagum participated in these tournaments. S. Maria Adoracion supported them by providing prizes such as trophies, medals, and other useful items. On special occasions, she shared food with them, often from class parties of SMC, Tagum students. She also had plans to build a chapel, but she had only managed to gather galvanized sheets. Donors were still needed to complete the rest of the materials until her transfer in 2001.

When asked if she was not afraid of them (Fr. Finster, SJ was stabbed in Maa Jail after serving there for 30 years), she just responded with a smile and said: “We are all children of God. He loves all of you as much as He loves me and everyone, bad or good.”

Ministering with the inmates inspired her so much that she said: “Who will not be inspired hearing them say: ‘Naku, dito ko lang nakita and Diyos! Kung hindi pa ako nakulong, hindi ko talaga matatagpuan ang Diyos.’” [“Oh, it is only here that I came to know God! If I hadn't been imprisoned, I wouldn't have found God.'']

S. Maria Adoracion, you lived a beautiful life. Thank you for the inspirations you gave us. As you led those you ministered to find the Lord, may you now be in the embrace of Jesus, filled with His overwhelming presence and majesty, and enjoy the fullness of life eternal. May this liberation from your physical body allow your soul to now experience the heavenly glory, magnificent wonders, and intense fulfillment that await His faithful disciples.

Farewell, S. Maria Adoracion. We honor you and your life journey and accompany you with our prayers. As we continue our pilgrimage here on earth, be our angel and guide us to the path that leads to heaven.