Cecilia Lizares Lacson: Mother of 17 children (A eulogy through offertory gifts)

IT WAS Mother’s Day when Cecilia Lizares Lacson, gasping her last breath, raised up her arms heavenwards and then closed her eyes, ending a beautiful life lived to the fullest.

Having given birth to seventeen children all growing to full term, rearing them, caring for them, parenting them, loving them and providing for their physical, mental, emotional, psychological and spiritual needs is truly a feat.

Motherhood is the most demanding of all vocations and also the most rewarding. Seventeen children is a tough act to follow, but Tita Celiang seemed to have lived it with a special grace of proficiency. That’s why the Good Lord called her home on the most significant of days, Mother’s Day.

I was looking at our genealogy book and from the year 1945 to 1964, in the space of 19 years, Tita Celiang was not in labor only in 1955 and 1961.

A daughter, Rose Marie, passed on when she was shy of 11 years old and a son, Mario, likewise has gone ahead. The 15 children during the funeral mass for their Mother, expressed their memories, their thoughts, their love for Tita Celiang in a processional offering.

This was the testimony of her life as seen, as caught by her children.
Daughter, Beging, Sister Margaret, a Maryknoll nun, narrated as each gift was presented to the Lord.

Mamel and Tommy started with 2 candles symbolizing their Papang (Herman Lacson) and their Mommy who by their living examples gave them the gift of faith to be the light in their lives.

“May the faith that they nurtured in us continue to grow and enrich our lives and that of our families and the people we relate with.”

Doodle and Coyette offered baskets of flowers of many colors.

“Mommy had 17 children, each one with his or her own personality. We value Mommy’s gift of acceptance of each child as she or he is. As a mother, she could see the beauty and gift of each child. May we continue to learn from Mommy’s example to accept and to love each other as they are.”

Lindy offered a small piano as a symbol of their Mother’s gift of music in her heart and hands. “We remember the many moments that she filled our home with her piano music. We thank Mommy for passing on her love for music and the gift of piano playing to all her daughters.”

Jimmy offered a book, newspapers and Time magazine, symbols of their Mommy’s love for reading and for books. “Mommy loved her story books, her magazines. The encyclopedia was always close at hand whenever there was a need to look things up. Before cataracts hindered her vision, Mommy would read the newspapers from cover to cover. She always kept abreast of the news. May we follow Mommy’s example of opening our hearts to the world by educating ourselves and informing ourselves of current events.”

Bingo held her Mother’s book on the Liturgy of Christian Prayer. “Mommy always had a thirst for spiritual enrichment. Mommy’s prayer was never the formula kind of prayer. Joining the Casa Maria and the OCDS deepened her spirit of contemplation. Like our Mother Mary, Mommy always pondered things in her heart. Bad news or good news or chismis—no matter what—all went into her quiet heart without judgment. May we all be gifted with the same spirit of listening and pondering and silence that Mommy practiced in her life.”

Rose offered a house with open doors and windows, a symbol of their Mommy’s hospitality. “Everyone was always welcomed in Mommy’s home: the many mahjong and domino tables that were served, the many parties that were hosted in her large house for her children. We pray that we may deepen and strengthen our own gifts of hospitality to welcome all in our hearts and in our homes.”

Dot offered a miniature heart as a symbol of Tita Celiang’s generosity not only to her children but to the many others in need. “Anyone who came to our door asking for help never left empty handed. She was always mindful of the many religious institutions that she helped in her small ways.”

Bernard and Gerard offered baskets of fruits to symbolize the many gifts that were reaped by their Mother in her lifetime. “To mention a few, Mommy had 17 children, 26 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Many of her children and grandchildren belong to prayer communities. One son has joined the Casa Maria; one daughter has joined both the Casa Maria and the OCDS; one daughter is a Maryknoll sister; one granddaughter has joined the Numerary of the Opus Dei. Perhaps none of us can claim to be as intelligent as Mommy but many of us have excelled in our chosen profession.”

The 3 eldest children, Sergio, Bo and Bibing offered the bread and wine as they gave thanks for the lives of their Mommy and their Papang.

“In the Eucharist, we are united with CHRIST’S death and Resurrection. We believe that Papang and Mommy are now reunited with CHRIST in the communion of saints. In this Holy Eucharist, may we receive the gift of communion, the gift of oneness, with one another and our beloved dead, through Jesus Christ, our Brother, and Savior.

An offertory procession that unfolds the story of an 87 year old Mother, Cecilia Lizares Lacson, who lived a whole and holistic life, praying and contemplating, playing music, giving and receiving, reading and educating, sowing and reaping, accepting and affirming but most importantly LOVING!