Maria Beatriz del Rosario Arroyo

Maria Rosario of the Visitation
founder, Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines
Born	17 February 1884 Molo, Iloilo, Philippines
Died	14 June 1957 Molo, Iloilo, Philippines
Honored in	Roman Catholic Church
Feast	14 June

Maria Beatriz del Rosario Arroyo (Maria Rosario of the Visitation) (February 17, 1884 - June 14, 1957) was a Filipino nun and the founder of the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines.

Early life, education and religious career

Arroyo was born on Feb. 17, 1884, in Molo, Iloilo to Ignacio Arroyo and Doña Maria Pidal as the only daughter of three children. Her 2 brothers were Jose Maria Arroyo and Mariano Arroyo. Jose became a senator in 1919 while Mariano was governor of Iloilo in 1928.

She was baptized at the Sta. Ana Church in Molo on February 20, 1884 by Fr. Agapito Buenaflor and was named Ma. Beatriz del Rosario Arroyo. Her Parents were her first teachers in Christian values. A noteworthy tradition of her family was alms giving. Mother Rosario participated in this corporal works of mercy. This made her aware of the misery and plight of the poor and be more compassionate with them.

The greatest obstacle to her piety could have been their affluent standard of living. With this wealth, she could have lived the life of a vain princess but she lived without superfluity. Unspoiled by the abundance surrounding her, she preferred a simple life. When she became an heiress, she donated her inheritance to the congregation.^{Citation Needed}

Mother Rosario first attended classes at the Colegio de Sta. Ana, a private school in Molo. In preparation for her first communion, she was transferred to Colegio de San Jose administered by the Daughters of Charity. She stayed at the Colegio until she finished her elementary education. She joined the Manila Beaterio de Sta. Catalina and to become nun on January 3, 1914. She was taught at the Beaterio of Manila and in Lingayen.

Despite her wealthy upbringing, Arroyo chose a life of poverty and devoted her life with ministry to the poor. She became a nun in the Dominican Order.^[1] With the help of two other Dominican nuns, Arroyo would eventually create the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary, a Filipino congregation, on February 18, 1927. Elected the First Superioress General of the Congregation at the Congregation's First General Chapter of January 3–6, 1953, she had 32 years of holy service. Madre Sayong or Madre Maestra died on June 14, 1957, in the order of sanctity.

Today, with a membership of over 250, the congregation runs multiple schools, colleges and retreat houses.^[1] She is also a distant relative of former Philippine President and now congesswoman of pampanga Gloria Arroyo.^[1] Her congregation has professes sisters in the Archdioceses of Capiz, Jaro, Manila and the Dioceses of Bacolod, Imus, Mati, San Jose de Antique and Tagum and in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, USA, Diocese of Honolulu, Hawaii, Diocese of Chalan Kanoa and Diocese of Ngong, Kenya in East Africa and Rome, Italy.^[2]

Beatification Process

Arroyo is currently in consideration for sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church with several miracles being investigated which are attributable to her.^[1]

Mother Rosario Arroyo Commission

Sister Eleanor Garlito, member of the Mother Rosario Arroyo Commission, stated on June 17, 2008 (Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines), that: "We actually launched our movement in 2004 but it was only recently when we were assisted by Vatican City-based Fr. Sam Silloriquez, who talked with Mother Visitation Alecto, former superior general and now head of the Commission."

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines stated that "Mother Rosario's congregation said she personified optimism and unfaltering trust in God's loving providence and added through her unconditional self-giving, she enriched others. Despite her family background, she was a great lover of poverty and did much to alleviate the miseries of the poor, materially and spiritually. She was well known for her assiduous mortifications, unceasing prayers and purity of life. Mariquita Arroyo Tuell and Rosario Arroyo Porta, closest living relatives, daughters of Gov. Mariano Arroyo of Molo, Iloilo City.Last Oct 7,2008 a mass was held in Dominican sisters convent in Ilo-ilo city which was attended by members of the Tuell and Porta families (Rosario A.Porta and family). Mariano and Delores Arroyo had three children: Manuel Arroyo, Remages Legaspi, and Mariquita Arroyo. Mariquita is the oldest living relative to Mother Rosario (her niece). Mariquita resides in Indiana, USA and has two children, grand niece to Mother Rosario, Anne Tuell Walsh of Elizabeth, Indiana, USA, and grand nephew to Mother Rosario, Chris Tuell of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Senator Arroyo and spouse Jesusa Lacson from Negros Occidental had 7 children, one of whom was Ignacio Arroyo (father of Philippine First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo).

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} "Mother Rosario Arroyo, a Dominican nun, is closer to beatification". Asia News. http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=3348&size=. Retrieved 2008-03-22. 
2. ^ GMA NEWS.TV, Mike Arroyo's kin may become a saint - report

External links

• Domican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines
• New Saints website

Persondata
Name	Arroyo, Maria Beatriz Del Rosario
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	February 17, 1884
Place of birth	Molo, Iloilo, Philippines
Date of death	June 14, 1957
Place of death	Molo, Iloilo, Philippines