Sr. Theresina Santiago, OSC
November 8, 1938 – November 19, 2021
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Virtually on Saturday, November 27th at 10am. Please go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button on the home page.
Celebration of Life: Saturday, December 11th from 2pm to 4pm at the West Center Chapel.
<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>
Mother Theresina R. Santiago, OSC
Beloved Abbess of the Poor Clare Nuns of Omaha
November 8, 1938 to November 19, 2021
She was born Monina Teresa Reyes to parents Delfin and Teresa (Reyes) Santiago, in Manila, Philippines. She was the fourth of six sisters, Vilma, Ophelia, Sonia, Olivia and Victoria. Sister’s early education took place in the Philippines.
At the age of 17, Sr. Theresina joined the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres, a French Order which made it to the Philippines by way of Vietnam. After 48 years with the Sisters of St. Paul, Sr. Theresina discerned a call to the Contemplative Life. Leaving family and country behind she traveled to the United States and with the help of her spiritual director, was introduced to the Poor Clare Nuns of Omaha. She entered the novitiate of the Poor Clare Nuns, February 2004. Professed Solemn Vows, February 2006.
Sr. Theresina was a gifted woman with many talents. Her early years of study allowed her to earn many degrees, including her Ph.D. in Theology from the Angelicum University in Rome, Italy. She will be most remembered for her biggest accomplishment under her leadership and that is the building of the Poor Clare Monastery in Elkhorn, Nebraska. This building project came to Sister in a dream and it took almost eight years to complete. Her energy and enthusiasm came from her love of God which was her driving force behind everything she did. The starts and stops of the building project never discouraged her. She knew God had an “anointed time” for His project to be completed. Despite health issues during her 65 years of Religious Life she never allowed them to get in her way. She surrendered everything to the Lord and He graced her with all that she needed to accomplish and do His Holy Will.
She is survived by her four sisters; cousins; nieces and nephews;and her Community the Poor Clare Nuns of Omaha.
11 Comments
Sorry to hear of the loss of Sister Theresina
Thinking of all the Sisters of Poor Claire. Sister Therisina and Sister Mary Claire were such a blessing and so nice. There absence will impact us all immensely, however Heaven has hailed two new saints. May God Bless them and all the Sisters.
With much love & with tears will my prayers go out to the Sisters of Poor Claire. Both Sister Theresina and Sister Mary Clare will be remembered in my prayers as two beautiful sisters who had shown kindness to everyone. We now have two great saints in Heaven!
Sister Theresina was a “Woman of Prayer”. May she rest in peace.
May they rest in peace. Great thanks to Mother Theresina for all the prayers! The sisters will be among the saints in Heaven.
The Poor Clare presence in Omaha for so many generations has been a great blesing and witness to prayer and contemplation. May the Journey to the Kingdom for Sr. Theresina bring her the many blessings of watchng over the Community of Poor Clare Sisters and being a guardian of the Rule of St. Francis and Clare who inspirited such heroic witness to the Gospel, simplicity of life, and cntemplative devotion.
With my prayers and sympathy to each of the Poor Clare Sisters, their families, friends, and benefactors.
Many blessings and fulness of hope in the Resurrection of Christ and all his prmises.,
Fr. David La Plante
We send our condolences and prayers to all the Poor Clare sisters. Sister Theresina was a great force in planning the design & move to the Elkhorn location. She will be missed.
I am sad to learn of Sr. Theresina’s sudden death. I will miss talking to her when I called for prayer fo r many.My prayers and comfort to her community of sisters. = and all who knew her.
So sorry for the loss of dear friends, Mother Theresina and SrMary Clare, always available for us when prayers needed.. I feel so blessed to have all the sisters in my life , for many years now. We have two new saints in heaven.
My Condolences to all the Poor Clare Nuns remaining.
“Jesus I Trust in You”,
Joholloway
Deepest sympathy to the Poor Clare Sisters and all our relatives in the Philippines
Sorry for the Loss of Both Sr Theresina And Sr Mary Clare Brown.
David W Glavin K of C St Francis De Sales Burnaby BC Canada
Sign Guestbook