In Loving Memory...

Sister M. Guadalupe, CSC
(Maria Luisa Cardenas)
Birth: July 9, 1915
Profession: January 6, 1935
Death: August 3, 2008

Maria Luisa “Licha” Cardenas was born in Zinaparo, Mexico, to Luis and Antonia Mena Cardenas on July 9, 1915. She was the youngest of four daughters.

When Licha was 7 months old her father was killed defending Zinaparo during the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Cardenas and the girls moved to Guadalajara and later settled in Ventura, California.

Maria Luisa was enrolled in Holy Cross School where Sister Lorenzo was teaching first and second grades. Maria Luisa could not speak English, and she credits the kindness of Sister Lorenzo in her mastery of English. She then went to St. Catherine’s Academy for two years of high school. The kindness, generosity, strength and leadership of the sisters had a big influence on her life and her vocation. At the young age of 16 she entered the community with the blessings of her mother and Father Hurley, pastor of San Buenaventura.

In 1938 she made final profession and for the next 32 years she had her desire to teach small children fulfilled. She loved the children and they loved her. After major back surgery, she did pastoral ministry work, visiting the homebound and bringing them Communion. She then moved in order to work with the St. Vincent de Paul Society. She had the opportunity to live with several Filipino sisters. This was a good cultural experience and taught “Guadie” that cultural backgrounds are never a barrier to sharing Christ’s love.

Guadie received a telephone call at age 75 from Brother Stanley, CSC, in San Antonio, Texas, inviting her to come and work in his clinic with other Holy Cross priests, brothers and sisters. This was the crowning point of her love for the Holy Cross family. She was to make people feel at home, and she was a “pro” because of her natural sense of hospitality. She ministered at the clinic and then at Our Lady of the Pillar Parish, Corpus Christi.

She was urged to retire at age 78, but felt she had the energy to keep going. At age 80 she agreed to retire to Ventura. When her health was failing, Guadalupe came to Saint Mary’s where she received needed care. She never wanted to leave Texas, and wanted to return there up to a few years ago. She loved the people and they loved her. Spanish was her first language, and she related well to those who could not speak English. In her own quiet way Sister Guadalupe was invaluable to Holy Cross — always ready and willing to work with Spanish-speaking people — summers in Guatemala and a summer in Brazil.

Each year she wanted to attend the Hispanic Conference and was not happy when she could no longer handle the traveling and the schedule of the conference. This was very difficult for her, as she loved all who participated in the conference.

Guadie claimed that she never had time for hobbies after preparing for her class work. Her hidden talent came out while she was at St. Catherine’s, where she made things to be sold in the boutique and was awarded ribbons for her embroidery work at the Ventura County Fair.

These past few years were difficult for Sister Guadalupe, as she could not understand why she was at Saint Mary’s. She frequently packed to return to Texas or Ventura. Her packing included a few pictures and mementos of others. Everyday without fail she went to her ministry — working with the stamps.

Throughout her life her faith grew deeper, and a beautiful sense of the presence of God developed. For 77 of her 93 years she grew in love of God and Holy Cross. Sister had a sincere love and appreciation for her family, which is evident by the presence of so many who came from California to celebrate her life.

Early Sunday morning she heard God calling and died peacefully. Her infectious smile, willingness to give, and her sense of community are her legacies. Sister Guadalupe, may you now rest in the arms of the God whom you so deeply loved.

Written by Sister Thomas Anne Haugh, CSC

Read more about Sister Guadalupe’s life in her Journey, “Called by name.”

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry With the Poor Fund, Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556.