聖道明傳教修女會   聖文生省會Religious Missionaries of St. Dominic
Province of St. Vincent Ferrer

“Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” Matthew 25:21

With hearts filled with gratitude for a life generously given to God and His people, the Religious Missionary Sisters of St. Dominic announce the passing of our beloved Sister Rosario Lopez Reyes, OP.
 

Sister Rosario was born on October 6, 1944, in San Jacinto, Pangasinan, Philippines, the seventh of eight children of Olimpia Lopez and Manuel Reyes. Raised in a deeply Christian family, she nurtured an early desire to dedicate her life completely to God. Responding faithfully to that call, she entered the Religious Missionary Sisters of St. Dominic on April 28, 1966, and professed her First Religious Vows on January 4, 1969. After her Perpetual Profession in 1974, she embraced the missionary vocation with the zeal of St. Dominic, whose spirit of preaching and service became the guiding light of her life.

Her missionary journey first brought her to Taipei, Taiwan, where she began a lifetime of evangelization and education that would span several countries. Whether serving in the Philippines, Taiwan, or the United States, Sister Rosario faithfully proclaimed the Gospel not only through her words but, more importantly, through the witness of her life.

In 1985, she was assigned to Alice, Texas, a place she affectionately called her “first love.” There she touched countless lives as a classroom teacher, school principal, Religious Education Coordinator, diocesan Religious Coordinator, and local prioress. Her ministry later took her to Beeville, Santa Paula, California, Oxnard, and the rural communities of the Diocese of Alice, where she tirelessly brought catechesis, pastoral care, and hope to families often living in remote areas.

Even when health challenges required her return to the Philippines in 2006, Sister Rosario continued to serve with unwavering dedication, adapting her ministry to her strength while never losing her missionary heart. In 2021, she joyfully returned to the United States and became a member of Our Lady of the Rosary Learning Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, where she continued her quiet witness of prayer, presence, and service until the Lord called her home.

A lifelong educator, Sister Rosario believed that teaching was both a profession and a ministry. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Philippine Normal College (1964), a Master of Arts in Education (Curriculum and Instruction) from Michigan State University (1985), and a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from the University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas (2005). She generously used these gifts to form not only minds but hearts rooted in faith.

Those who knew Sister Rosario will remember her gentle smile, steadfast faith, humility, and compassionate heart. She lived the words of the prophet Micah, walking humbly with God, acting justly, and loving mercy. Her life reflected the Dominican charism of preaching through truth, charity, and joyful service.

Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on July 22 in Corpus Christi, Texas, and will be officiated by the Bishop Mario Alberto Aviles of the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Family, friends, former students, parishioners, and all whose lives she touched are invited to join in giving thanks for her remarkable life of faith and missionary service.
 

As we commend Sister Rosario to God’s eternal embrace, we rejoice in the promise of the Resurrection. After decades of faithfully proclaiming the Gospel and serving God’s people with love and humility, may she now receive the crown prepared by her Beloved and hear the words she lived her entire life to fulfill:

“Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.”

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

You may add this paragraph toward the end of the obituary, before the final prayer:

A Word of Gratitude

The Religious Missionary Sisters of St. Dominic extend their heartfelt gratitude to the Elizondo family, who lovingly accompanied and cared for Sister Rosario during the final chapter of her earthly journey. With great compassion, generosity, and dedication, they became a source of comfort, support, and family to her, ensuring that she was surrounded by love, dignity, and peace until the very last moment of her life. Their kindness and selfless service are a beautiful expression of God’s love and mercy. We entrust them to the Lord’s abundant blessings for the gift of their presence and care.

May God reward them for the love they shared with Sister Rosario and the consolation they brought to our Dominican family.