Order of Carmelites

Memorial: Mo. Maria de los Angeles de Jesus, O.Carm.

Mother Maria de los Angeles de Jesus, O.Carm.
(Maria Luisa de la Santisima Trinidad Ortega Perez)

October 2, 1935 – January 1, 2020

I am very happy to die as a Carmelite, as daughter of my Catholic Church.”

“Don’t be sad after my death. My departure from you is only temporary. Hoping in His mercy, I’m going to (the) heavens forever. It is a great feast, that at last I will encounter my Lord, my Spouse, my All, to be united with Him forever. I will embrace my Mother, my Angel, the Saints of my devotion, and the members of my family already in (the) Heavens. I will bless all of you from (the) heavens.”

We lovingly offer this necrology to our Most Blessed Mother Mary in this month of July in praise of her maternal care for our dear Mother Maria de los Angeles de Jesus Ortega Perez, O.Carm. Mother Maria de los Angeles de Jesus had a passionate love for our Lord Jesus and desired to be one with His love. She generously offered herself as a victim to the merciful love of the most Holy Trinity and accepted whatever was their Holy will for her for the sake of souls. With love and confidence in our most Blessed Mother, she gave herself totally to her that she may dispose of her as she desires.

Last January 1, 2020, our community witnessed the fidelity of God who did not abandon her in the great sufferings of her sickness which she willingly embraced in following her spouse. The prioress had informed her that the time had come and that the Lord was waiting for her. In her last hours, the Prioress read to her the renewal of her Solemn/Perpetual vows. The community did not leave her. We had accompanied her in rotation day and night for years during her sickness and much more at her last hours we were around her with prayers and songs. The Living Flame of Love was read and certain songs were sung according to her desire for her last hours, Two doctors stayed to monitor her vital signs. She received the anointing and the blessing of three priests. Minutes after, Rev. Fr. Nomer de Lumen gave her the apostolic blessing of the total forgiveness and remission of all her sins and in the midst of the prayers of the community, she peacefully breathed her last on earth to go to her heavenly home . She had asked us never to be sad after her death as she will obtain graces and blessings for us. We marvel at how everything seemed to be scripted, everything arranged by the Divine Hands. God is faithful and will never abandon those who have abandoned themselves to his merciful love.

Mo. Maria de los Angeles was born on October 2, 1935 in Seville, Spain. She was the 5th child of Señor Don Jose Joaquin Perez and Señora Doña Rosario Ortega. The youngest of her siblings, who is presently living in Spain, is Señora Doña Maria Carmen Loureiro Perez. She had a sister, Sor Maria Teresita, a holy nun who died last year in the Carmelite Monastery of St. Anne in Seville, Spain. Mo. Maria de los Angeles de Jesus was baptized Maria Luisa de la Santisima Trinidad in the Iglesia del Corpus Cristi and confirmed in the Iglesia de Santa Maria la Blanca. She became a member of the Third Order of Carmel and made the sacrifice of walking just to save her allowance which she gave in visiting the poor and the sick. She entered the Carmelite Monastery of St. Anne in Seville, Spain on February 2, 1954, an unusually snowy day. She was initiated to the Novitiate on August 5, 1954. She made her Simple Profession on August 7, 1955 and her Solemn Profession on August 7, 1958.

She was one of the foundresses of three monasteries: the Carmelite Monastery of the Holy Family in Guiguinto, Bulacan; Carmel of Our Lady of Nazareth in Cabanatuan City; and Carmel of Mary, Star of the Sea in Tanay, Rizal. Among her duties in the different triennnials especially in the monasteries of Cabanatuan and Tanay were being a prioress, councilor, formator, secretary of the council, chronicler, administrator, moderator of the liturgy, organist, and in-charge of lay groups. She was a compassionate prioress who combined the caring love of a mother with the fervent preservation of the regular obsevance. She preserved what was essential and was open to the new signs of the times. As a good liturgist, she observed carefully the instructions and diligently made copies for use of the organists. She loved the work of formation as it was her ardent desire to help and accompany candidates in their spiritual journey towards union with God.

The good Lord inflamed her heart with love for our Holy Order and a fervent desire for the union of the monasteries and the proper formation for the spiritual growth of the sisters. He inspired her to promote and work for the establishment of the Stella Maris Federation of the Carmelite Nuns in the Philippines following the documents of our Holy Mother, the Church. She served as the coordinator of the federation for many years, encouraging the united efforts of the monasteries for wholeness in formation and the fulfilment of the Carmelite charism. Before she died, she served as its treasurer. Even during the painful time of her sickness, she devotedly continued to give classes to the novitiate and homilies during vigils in Tanay Carmel, and conferences to communities and to the common courses of the Juniors when requested by the federation.

Mo. Maria de los Angeles had a great heart, a clear discerning mind for what is God’s will, an unwavering trust in his mercy, a good humor and a firm determination to accomplish what was necessary. She had so much fortitude in bearing sufferings and she persevered with fidelity in her prayer life. We praise the Lord for gifting us with her presence in the Church.

With our gratitude for your prayers for her.

📸 Simeon Muller | Unsplash