Sister Bernardina González Florián, CCVI

Sister Bernardina was born Bernardina González Florián in Aldea Suchitán Santa Catarina Mita, Depto. de Jutiapa, Guatemala to Daniel González Hernández and Adelaída Florián Rivera. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word at Casa del Verbo Encarnado, Guatemala City in November 1985. Sister consecrated her life to God through Profession of Perpetual Vows at the Basílica of Esquipulas, Esquipulas, Guatemala on September 8, 1994.

Sister Bernardina took Spirituality and Theology courses at La Universidad Rafael Landívar, Guatemala to prepare for future ministry. She also took the Caregivers of Homes and Nursing Homes course, SOSEP, in Guatemala.

The skills she acquired served her well as she assisted others in many capacities. Her gift of service included Parish Ministry where she taught dressmaking and crafts, prepared children for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion, served as a Eucharistic minister and visited the sick at: San José Parish, Carolingia, Mixco, Guatemala; San Tolentino Parish, Intipucá, La Unión, El Salvador; and Santa Catarina Parish, Guatemala City. Sister also ministered with a Health Promoters Program in Huehuetenango, Guatemala, and other areas of need in Central America. She ministered to the sick and did rehab ministry with the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Guatemala City. She served in Pastoral Ministry at: Quetzal Parish, Ciudad El Quetzal, Guatemala; El Amparo de San José, Huehuetenango, Guatemala; and Santiago Apóstol Parish, Sacatepéquez, Guatemala. She also cared for the elderly at El Amparo de San José, Huehuetenango, Guatemala and El Hogar de Mi Hermano, Esquipulas, Chiquimula, Guatemala. She assisted retreatants at Casa de Retiros Verbo Encarnado, Sacatepéquez, Guatemala.

Sister Bernardina is survived by her brothers: Gerardo González Florián; Felicito González Florián, Guillermo González Florián and Manuel González Florián and two sisters: Juana González Florián and Maria Luisa González Florián, and many in-laws, nephews and nieces.

We extend a special thanks to the Sisters, staff at Villa De Matel, and other caregivers for their gentle and loving care during Sister’s illness.

Sister Bernardina’s body will be received at the Immaculate Conception Chapel, Villa De Matel, 6510 Lawndale Street, Houston, Texas at 5:00 PM on May 10, 2024, followed by Evening Praise and a celebration of her life. Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the Immaculate Conception Chapel at 10:30 AM on May 11, 2024. The Rite of Committal will follow at Villa De Matel Cemetery.