S. Maria Corazon Mance Alonte was born alongside her twin sister, Remedios, on December 18, 1933, in Canlalay, Biñan, Laguna, where their family resided. Their father, Primo Alonte, worked as a public school teacher, while their mother, Marcela Mance Alonte, was a devoted housewife who loved knitting and sewing during her spare time. The family was blessed with eleven children – seven girls and four boys.

Although both of her parents were Catholics, S. Maria Corazon’s vocation was not directly influenced by her immediate family. She was separated from them at an early age, and it was her grandmother who raised her.

When she was already in high school, her sister Claudia, who pursued medicine, later joined her at her grandmother’s place, followed by her brother Ramon, who studied law. S. Maria Corazon greatly admired Claudia for her well-rounded personality—wise, talented, and cheerful. She also appreciated her brother Ramon’s friendly and accommodating nature, which contributed to his happy disposition in life.

Despite lacking formal education, S. Maria Corazon’s grandmother possessed practical wisdom, leadership skills, and business acumen. She managed a small business involving bus transportation, rice fields, and a pinipig factory. Although not particularly prayerful, her grandmother emphasized goodness, reminding S. Maria Corazon that her saintly mother’s legacy should inspire virtuous living. Interestingly, S. Maria Corazon believed that the Lord rewarded her grandmother for her generosity. In a significant moment during a retreat in 1975, S. Maria Corazon dreamt of her grandmother, who assured her that she was already with the Lord.

S. Maria Corazon’s spiritual journey began when she received the Eucharistic Lord. Her teacher diligently prepared her for her First Holy Communion and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. From an early age, she prayed for goodness, sensing a call to perfection in religious life.

She attended public elementary school for only four years, having been accelerated twice—an experience that affected her foundational learning. Her high school years unfolded at Sta. Catalina College in Biñan, Laguna.

After high school, S. Maria Corazon initially planned to attend college in Manila. However, her grandmother preferred her to stay close. Instead, she assisted her lawyer brother by typing legal documents. Her sister encouraged her to work at the Philippine Free Press, but her grandmother objected.

Later, her grandmother allowed her to work at her cousin’s printing press, the “Benipayo Printing Company,” managed by Manny Benipayo. Additionally, she pursued secretarial studies at Gregg Business College in Sta. Cruz, Manila. It was there that she felt drawn to attend Holy Mass at Sta. Cruz Church and receive the Lord daily in Holy Communion.

In a pivotal moment, a couple friend, Mr. and Mrs. Tirso and Rosalinda Cabili, invited her to visit Sisters Maria Concepta and Amparo Sanchez at St. Mary’s Novitiate in Quezon City. Rosalinda was a blood sister of Sister Maria Concepta. In that visit, some Sisters playfully asked if she wanted to become a nun. Several months later, despite her grandmother’s wishes for her to settle down, S. Maria Corazon submitted her resignation letter to her boss. On June 13, 1961, the feast of St. Anthony of Padua, her boss, her sister Claudia, and friends accompanied her to St. Mary’s Novitiate for her aspirancy. S. Maria Concepta Sanchez served as her Directress.

S. Maria Corazon entered her postulancy on February 1, 1962, marking the beginning of her formal religious formation. She continued her journey by entering the novitiate on August 13, 1962. On August 15, 1964, she made her first profession of vows, committing herself to a life of service and dedication within her religious community. Her commitment deepened over the years, culminating in her perpetual profession of vows on December 8, 1971.

Throughout her religious life, S. Maria Corazon celebrated significant milestones. Her silver jubilee, commemorating twenty-five years of faithful service, took place on February 2, 1989. Later, on August 15, 2014, she joyfully marked her golden jubilee, celebrating fifty years of unwavering commitment. Tragically, this August 15, 2024, would have been her diamond jubilee, a remarkable achievement in her lifelong dedication to God and her community but she did not make it.

S. Maria Corazon exemplified quiet dedication and selflessness. A Sister considered her one of her best friends, appreciating how Sister Maria Corazon diligently offered her capabilities and potentials without complaint, readily assisting others within the community. Her humility and simplicity were evident; she avoided accumulating personal possessions in her room. Her relatives would inquire on her behalf about her needs from a Sister-friend, as she preferred not to ask anything from them.

Observing S. Maria Corazon, her fellow Sisters noticed her tireless efforts. She constantly moved around, seeking ways to help—whether in the laundry, ward, refectory, pantry, library, or the roperia (where she sorted materials for recycling or repurposing). She received cloth items from a textile store owner, which the Sisters of St. Joseph Home skillfully transformed into curtains, beddings, pillowcases, aprons and many more. This initiative became an integral part of the community’s income-generating project (IGP), benefiting not only the Sisters but also resident caregivers and lay partners.

Her support extended beyond her religious family to her blood relatives. She attentively cared for their needs, particularly providing moral and spiritual support, embodying compassion and love. 

Even before ecological consciousness became widespread, S. Maria Corazon diligently segregated the community’s garbage—sorting between biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste. Her commitment to environmental stewardship was unwavering, even when others appeared indifferent.

Faithfully serving her higher Superiors, she remained steadfast regardless of recognition. Perhaps she inherited her industry and strong work ethic from her Lola (grandmother), who had cared for her during her upbringing.

On July 28, 2024, at 2:08 in the afternoon, S. Maria Corazon peacefully passed away due to acute chronic respiratory failure, secondary to pulmonary congestion and recurrent pleural effusion related to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

As we prepare to lay her remains to rest today, we bid her farewell. We honor her remarkable journey of faith, service, and dedication. Her legacy inspires us to remain faithful, recognizing that God’s love transcends our actions and defines our worth. May she now experience the perfection of God’s standards, sharing eternal life with angels and saints. Godspeed, S. Maria Corazon. We hold you dearly and prayerfully in our hearts.