I’ve always admired the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (ICM). Not a few of them are deeply engaged in advancing social justice. Uncompromising, brave, intelligent, and gifted with unwavering compassion, they have sculpted a beautiful memory of the faith and struggle journey of the people.
Before the Christmas holidays, two religious sisters—well-loved, respected, and admired by the masses, activists, and others involved in the social movement for change—passed on to embrace the gift of eternity, both in people’s memory and in the realm of angels and saints. They were shining examples of living out a religious life compatible with serving the poor and loving our neighbor. As they were facing the sunset of their life, they continued to push many endeavors for social justice to flourish.
On Dec. 11, 2024, Sister Lydia Lascano, ICM, crossed over to eternal life. She was a faithful servant of God and the people, and a source of confidence for workers and farmers who see her as a church ally and kapatid in their struggle for their rights. She never failed them despite the limitations of the church as an institution. She stayed in urban poor communities like Bagong Barrio and in the workers’ picket lines under the program “inserted communities.” Here, the religious literally “inserted” themselves into the lives of the poor in the belief that doing so would help them understand the pain, suffering, and hope of the poor in their daily struggles.
Sister Lydia had great respect for the Promotion of Church People’s Response and was unafraid to be identified with this faith-based organization. Seeking justice and peace amidst repression was innate in her. Her faith articulation was loud and clear, simple and sharp, prophetically challenging and engaging.
On Dec. 21, 2024, Sister Emelina Villegas, ICM, bid her final goodbye to her earthly journey. Her name will always be mentioned as one who worked well in contemporary workers’ movements in the Philippines. She was an unapologetic defender of labor rights, human rights, and the dignity of the people.
Being the board president and one of the founding members of the Center for Trade Union and Human Rights, she came to understand that the holiness of church work means having to sit with laborers who are victims of exploitation. She did not care if she would be accused of being a communist when she stood by them in asserting the correctness of struggling for a just living wage, the welfare of workers, and freeing our country from foreign domination.
As the Advent season and Christmas remind us of hope, peace, joy, and love, we praise the lives of Sister Lydia and Sister Emelina, who brought hope in the midst of despair, peace as we pursue justice, joy that defies surrender, and love that teaches us to offer our life for the sake of others!
Paalam Sister Lydia, Sister Emelina. Your testimony will be forever remembered.
You will be in the flowers of this land, blossoming with grace and beauty. You will be in the flowers that bring fresh new hope each day. You will be in the wind dancing the dance of people’s struggles. You will be in the moonlight gently reminding us of our humanity. You will be in the sunrise, welcoming the challenges of the day. You will be in the sunset reminding us to “number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalms 90:12).
You will be in our songs and poetry that speak about the beauty of struggle and hope.
Dss. Norma P. Dollaga,
kasimbayan@yahoo.com.ph