In Memoriam Sister María Begoña Divinagracia, OP Feb. 12, 1939-Dec. 13, 2014

Sister María Begoña Divinagracia, OP, a member of the Religious Missionaries of St. Dominic passed away peacefully on Dec. 13 at a local hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas. She was born on Feb. 12, 1939 in Tamboilan Dumangas, Iloilo, Philippines to Anastacio Divinagracia and Felicidad Diasnes.

She joined the Religious Institute on April 15, 1960 as a postulant. She made her first profession of vows on Dec. 29, 1962 and professed her perpetual vows on Jan. 10, 1968 in Sta. Rita, Pampanga, Philippines.

She received her bachelor's degree in elementary education from the Pontifical University of Sto. Tomas, Manila, her masters degree in Religious Education from the Pontifical Institute of Regina Mundi, Rome and the Catholic School Leadership Program from the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas.

Her years of ministry included teaching in the Dominican Schools in Manila. She was sent to the mission in 1989 in Rome, Taiwan and the United States where she lived her missionary zeal as schoolteacher, prefect of discipline, catechist, Catholic school administrator and spiritual director of Legion of Mary in Oxnard, California.

Sister María Begoña held various positions in the Congregation of the Religious Missionaries of St. Dominic including Mistress of the Novices and Juniors; Secretary of the Provincial Councils in the Philippines and Taiwan; local Superior in the Taiwan communities; Member of the General Council in Rome; and Secretary of the Delegate of the Prioress General in the United States.

Three stepsisters, Olympia Delicana, Leonora Divinagracia and Amelia Deanon survive her.

Bishop Michael Mulvey celebrated the Liturgy of Christian burial on Dec. 16 at St. Paul the Apostle. Interment was at Seaside Memorial Park.