Ilongga nun from Molo nears sainthood

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

An Ilongga nun is on her way to sainthood after she was granted the title “Venerable” by Pope Francis on June 11, 2019.

Maria Beatriz del Rosario Arroyo, fondly known as “Madre Sayong” or “Madre Maestra” and founder of the Dominican Sisters of the Holy Rosary, was among the eight individuals who are on the path to eventual sainthood.

Arroyo was born on February 17, 884 to wealthy couple Don Ignacio Arroyo and Doña Maria Pidal of Molo, Iloilo City.

She was also the great grandaunt of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, husband of former president and outgoing House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,

Although born to a wealthy family, she preferred a simple life and participated in corporal works of mercy at an early age.

She entered the convent at the age of 27 and devoted her life to provide service to the poor and later founded the congregation of the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary, with the help of the two other nuns.

She was elected the First Superioress General of the congregation where she spent 32 years in service until she died on June 14, 1957, and was buried at the Molo cemetery.

On July 28, 2009, Archbishop Angel Lagdameo issued an edict declaring that he is initiating the “diocesan process for the Cause of the Canonization of the Servant of God Mother Rosario Arroyo de la Visitacion.

Recently, Pope Francis recognized the heroic virtues of Servant of God Maria Beatrice Rosario Arroyo, also known as venerable Maria Rosario of the Visitation, according to the Vatican News.

“With the promulgation of the decrees of martyrdom and of heroic virtue, the Servants of God are granted the title ‘Venerable.’ The next stage in the ‘causes,’ would be beatification, followed ultimately by canonization,” the Vatican news reported.

If granted, Mario Rosario of the Visitation would be third Filipino saint, after San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila and San Pedro Calungsod. (With reports from Vatican News)