At the first light of dawn, Thursday of the Octave of Easter, April 8, 2021, Jesus our Master and Lord definitively called to himself our sister. Sr. M. Oliva – Irene Paula Pacheco Camacho born on June 29, 1932, in Juchitepec (Mexico). The seventh of eight children, Irene entered the Congregation which was taking its first steps in Mexico, thanks to the missionary sisters who had arrived from Italy on September 20, 1952.
Little more than twenty years of age, on May 13, 1956, she left her family and was received into the community. It was the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, and she joined the young women beginning their journey of formation in the religious life. On January 5, 1959, she entered the novitiate together with eight other young women, and the following year, on January 6, 1960, she made her religious profession in the DM Community of Mexico City. In the same community, on January 6, 1965, she sealed her consecration to God definitively with the perpetual profession.
At a young age, in 1966, she was appointed as superior of the community at the Society of St. Paul in Mexico City and then at the Divine Master Community. From 1972 to 1976 in the Divine Master community of Guadalajara and then again in the again in the community at the Pauline seminary in 1977. She was appointed Regional Councilor in Mexico from 1976 to 1979, and in the United States from 1993 to 1996, giving proof of her great love for her vocation and mission, with a profound sense of belonging to the Congregation.
Talented in embroidery and sewing, which she had learned in the family, she soon dedicated herself in the workrooms of the various communities to which she was sent in obedience: Guadalajara DM (1971) Monterrey (1979). She was then called as a missionary to cross the Mexican border to join the communities in the United States. After a brief stay in Rome in 1980, she arrived at the community of the Society of St. Paul in Los Angeles (USA) on December 16, 1981, together with Sr. M. Nieves Salinas, who is also from Mexico.
She is remembered by the sisters as a person of prayer, of dedication to the Congregation, first in the Mexican Province and then in the Delegation of the United States.
Sr. M. Oliva often shared stories of the beginning of the house in Mexico. She told of the trust in Divine Providence, which never allowed his children to go without what was necessary: having received sacks of flour and sugar from benefactors, they baked cakes or cookies to sell and obtain the funds necessary for the construction and the maintenance of our house. She was a pioneer in the Mexican Province, but she placed her gifts at the service of the Congregation wherever she was. During the years of her initial formation, she had the grace of meeting Blessed James Alberione while he was visiting the Pauline communities in Mexico City. In her conversations at table, even in these last weeks at the Fresno community, she loved to speak affectionately about the Founder and she enjoyed remembering and sharing stories and anecdotes.
Sr. M. Oliva was gentle, peaceful, very humble and filled with goodness, a women of prayer and industrious until the end! During the last years she had many health problems, but she continued to offer herself peacefully for as long as the Lord gave her the strength. She never refused a request in the workroom, not even the most demanding requests that other sisters did not feel to undertake. She was always willing to substitute others, especially in the kitchen, when she was aware of the need for an extra hand. Rarely was there any complaint on her part.
Sr. M. Oliva incarnated well her baptismal name, Irene, which was transformed into a new name with the religious profession. She was truly a person of peace, of serenity, and dedication. Her love for the Congregation, its charism, especially in those aspects in which she was specialized at the service of the priesthood of Christ in his ordained ministers. Her liturgical tailoring was always done with precision, beauty and joy. She distinguished herself everywhere for her precision: in Los Angeles, in Staten Island, Boston and Fresno. She was always grateful to the sisters who taught her various skills for the apostolate and gave her the opportunity to develop her many talents.
A few months ago, transferred from Boston to the community of Fresno, she immediately distinguished herself by her gentleness, serenity and devoted service, leaving among the sisters and the Friends of the Divine Master an indelible mark. Last March 17, she was hospitalized and underwent surgery for a fractured femur. On Easter Monday she was transferred to a nursing home for the necessary rehabilitation. Lovingly assisted by the sisters, especially by Sr. M. Nieves, she often manifested an ardent desire to return “home”, that is, to our heavenly “home”. The risen Lord too her “home” during the Octave of Easter.
With Mary Most Holy, the Mother of God, and the women of the Gospel, early in the morning when it was still dark, she met the risen Master and responded to his definitive call in loving obedience. Sr. M. Oliva, now that you enjoy the reward of the faithful and prudent disciple, intercede for us, for the Delegation of Ireland/United States and the Province of Mexico, asking for the gift of new and generous vocations.
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