Dear friends, with profound sadness and deep gratitude, we announce the passing of our dear +Sr. Mary Joan Salamanca, RGS, at the age of 91.
Born on May 29, 1934, in Nasugbu, Batangas, Sr. Joan made her first profession on May 31, 1966, in Quezon City. On December 18, 2025, Sr. Joan quietly slipped away and returned home to the Father.
In her 59 years as an apostolic sister of the Religious of the Good Shepherd, Sr. Joan served in our schools and shelters as a teacher, counselor, and administrator. She journeyed with poor communities in both rural and urban settings. From 1990 to 1996, she served as Province Leader of the Good Shepherd Philippine Province.
We thank God for the gift of her life and person, and we pray that we may emulate the witness of her life lived with utmost simplicity, humility, and deep compassion for those at the margins.
A few months before Sr Joan fell ill, she shared about the Vow of Poverty to a group of sisters on renewal program. She shared in particular her experiences in Tondo, Manila during the Martial Law and in Agusan del Sur where the sisters have a ministry among the Lumads.
She shared, “at the outset I would like it known that both pagan and Christian cultures of old know that the practice of poverty is not necessarily limited to religious groups. In practice it transcends mere economic poverty. It is voluntary, not a destitution or homelessness but ordered minimalism. To be truly poor one must use material things and talents whatever form or degree with a sense of coming from God and returning to Him in loving worship. Jesus, the Splendor of the Father, the Second Person of the Trinity became human born of the Virgin Mary. He was not just born a man – He came as a poor man. He lived, died and resurrected doing God’s will.
God is the author of the circumstances in our life. He knows our attempts to be His disciples; to be Bread of Rejoicing, the Wine of His Love, the Song of His Gladness, to become the Body of Christ. In time of small triumph and pain in doing God’s will, we pray give us this day our daily bread.”
Thank you, dear Sr. Joan. You touched so many lives in countless ways. We love you, and we will miss you!
