Our Filipino Rosary Crusade here in Nottingham North gathered for many evenings last month to pray the Rosary. At the very end of our prayer sheets, are printed the names of women who have inspired me to love and promote the Rosary devotion in the neighbourhood. Although Rosary month is over, I’d like to devote this article to remember and celebrate the lives of these “ladies of the Rosary”.
The first lady on our list is Mrs Benjamina Valdes-Madamba. My paternal grandmother’s youngest sister, Lola Mining (as we call her) was known for her religiosity, particularly her devotion to the Holy Mass, the Rosary, and the Divine Mercy. As a little boy, I saw how she took care of having this huge image of Our Lady of Fatima (which I think is now housed at the St Rita Hospital in Tondo) brought to our house (where the Rosary was prayed during the image’s visit). Although it seems ages ago, that event paved the way for me to know more about the house-to-house Rosary devotion (a.k.a. block rosary crusades). The last time I saw Lola Mining was in 2003 before leaving for the UK. It’s unfortunate that I didn’t manage to see her in 2005 when I made a short visit to the Philippines. We only talked over the phone. Months later, she passed away. If she were still alive, she would be celebrating her birthday tomorrow, 18th November.
The second and third ladies hailed from Kawit, Cavite where my siblings and I lived for two years. Mrs Anicia “Ti Annie” Andreus and Ms Julita “Ti Lita” Magadia were both active members of the parish. Ti Annie, as I have mentioned in a previous article, used to be a daily Mass participant and was Edwin’s (a former classmate) mother. I followed her good example! Ti Lita was our block rosary chairman. Every night in October 1985, rain or shine we will be bringing an old image of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal to houses along Tanggulan Street. Ti Lita, who was also a lector/commentator in church, would always guide whoever leads the prayer in that house while Ti Annie looks after the cassette radio which plays Marian songs during prayers and procession. When we returned to Manila, I still continued to get in touch with them and even joined in some rosary recitation when I can. If I am not mistaken Ti Lita passed away in 2005, while Ti Annie this year.
The last set of ladies were from Gagalangin, Tondo. When we moved back to Manila and resided in our current home, we met Mrs Purificacion “Auntie Puring” Montero (who lived just one house away from ours) who coordinated the block rosary in our barangay. An active member of the Legion of Mary (like Lola Mining), she provided us with guidance and support. When the Bible Outreach Programme (BOP) of Fr Bhong Guerrero came into being in 1993, a reorganisation of block rosaries took place with five families comprising one group. We belonged to a group which was led by Mrs Leonora “Tita Nora” Tudara, mother of Dindo, a former classmate in Letran. The first time an image of the Holy Family (a BOP amendment) was brought to our house, Mama was not around so it fell on my lap to lead the prayers. I thought that was it when Tita Nora asked me to read the Gospel reading for that coming Sunday AND share my reflection on it! I can’t remember exactly the reading, but it has something to do with Christ as Shepherd. In that prayer meeting, was Mrs Dominga “Inso” Viloria whom I have met on a number of occasions in parish events. I managed to share, thanks to divine inspiration! Inso really engaged me as she asked questions on what I was talking about. I think that occasion became a rebirth from me because during that time, I have “laid low” in terms of participating in church activities. For a number of months, I joined in the weekly rosaries meeting new members and being refreshed in prayer and reflection. Auntie Puring was also part of our group and would join us whenever she is in the Philippines.
Later on, Tita Nora turned over the leadership to Mama. I later succeeded Mama in looking after this devotion and was supported by many devotees especially by Inso and Auntie Puring. A few years after Tita Nora stepped down from the leadership, she passed away. In 2003, a few weeks before I left for the UK, Auntie Puring died. Inso soon returned to her true home a year later.
As I remember these ladies, I am full of thanks to God for giving them to me as my examples, as my spiritual mothers. I feel blessed to have been touched by how they bore witness to the faith. May God, through Our Lady of the Rosary, grant them a place in His kingdom!
There is a seventh lady I wish to remember: Mrs Rosario “Sister Charing” Dungo who passed away recently. Sister Charing held a number of positions in the Gagalangin Parish. I must say that she “discovered” me as a potential lector/commentator. I just brushed aside the idea when she first mentioned it to me, but the second time she did I cannot say “No” – she has included me in the list for the Flores de Mayo celebration in 1992. Later on, she managed to give me and two other recruits – Richard Leyson and Ester Bunye – a schedule in the Sunday Masses. For some reason, I wasn’t able to thank Sister Charing for her kindness and support. I am still a Mass reader and perhaps the best way to really remember and thank her is to give my best in this ministry. Salamat po, Sister Charing! Rest in Christ’s peace!
