Sister Mary Monica de la Rosa dies peacefully at 81

Sister Mary Monica de la Rosa, IWBS, 81, died peacefully at Incarnate Word Convent on Saturday, June 16, following a lengthy illness.  Loving family members and IWBS sisters surrounded her at the time of her death.

Sister Mary Monica was born Maria Gloria de la Rosa on Sept. 23, 1930, in Brownsville, Texas to Tomas and Petra Castillo de la Rosa. She was baptized at Immaculate Conception Church in Brownsville and was confirmed at Sacred Heart Church in Corpus Christi by Bishop Emmanuel B. Ledvina, D.D. A greater part of Maria Gloria’s education took place in Corpus Christi, where she graduated from eighth grade at Sacred Heart School and received her high school diploma from Incarnate Word Academy. 

On Sept. 2, 1950, she entered Incarnate Word Convent in Corpus Christi, and at the beginning of her canonical novitiate year she assumed the name Sister Mary Monica.  She made her first profession of vows on April 19, 1952, and professed perpetual vows on June 4, 1955. 

Sister Mary Monica received her Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas.  She worked toward a master’s degree as a reading specialist at Texas A&I and also studied at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi and at St. Edward’s University in Austin.

Sister Mary Monica’s years of ministry include teaching at Santa Rosa de Lima in Benavides, Our Lady of Victory in Beeville, Corpus Christi Cathedral and Sacred Heart in Corpus Christi and St. Francis in Brownsville. Every year she taught her young students dances for Mexican fiestas. 

She spent many years instructing children in religious education in Corpus Christi, Beeville, Goliad, Edroy, Odem, Tynan, Benavides, Skidmore and Pettus.  Sister Mary Monica was involved in family ministry and was a devout member of the Cursillistas. She also served on the Congregation’s Apostolate Commission.  

In recent years, during her serious health condition, ministry included prayer and the offering of her suffering for the good of her family, her IWBS sisters, the Church and the world and for those who have died.  On May 12, Sister Mary Monica was honored at Incarnate Word Convent in commemoration of her 60th anniversary of religious profession, with many IWBS sisters, family members and friends in attendance.

Listening to music, dancing, fishing, cooking, painting, needlework and other activities relating to the arts were among Sister Mary Monica’s favorite hobbies and pastimes.  She enjoyed visiting with community members, her family and friends.

Her loving sister Veronica Herrera, her brother-in-law, Ruben Sais and many devoted nephews and nieces survive Sister Mary Monica. Among those preceding her in death were her parents Tomas and Petra de la Rosa and her sisters Alva de la Rosa and Guadalupe Sais.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Incarnate Word Convent in Corpus Christi on Wednesday, June 20. Burial followed at Rose Hill Cemetery in Corpus Christi.