Sister Philomena Agudo, FMM – North Smithfield

Sr. Philomena Agudo, FMM, passed away on January 2, 2021, at St. Antoine Residence, North Smithfield.

Born in Davao, the Philippines in 1925 to Isidoro and Mercedes Agudo, the oldest of six children, the family had many experiences especially during the occupation in the Second World War.

She entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in 1949 making Final Vows in 1955. Well prepared for teaching, Sr.Philomena had earned Teacher Certification, as well as a BA and MA in Education. She taught in O.L. of Loreto Academy in Legarda, Manila, did catechetical work in public schools and during her spare time, visited prisoners in the National Penitentiary. She was sent to Cebu City for Stella Maris School in Cebu.

In 1964, she was missioned to Djakarta, Indonesia, where she was principal of Regina Pacis International School. In 1967 she was appointed Juniorate Mistress in Bongor and two years later a part-time counselor at Churches' Counseling Center in Singapore. Two years after that she was directress of Hal Sing Dewasa Commercial School for Girls.

In 1972, she was missioned to the United States to study at Boston University and earned a doctorate in pastoral psychology and counseling. Then she was missioned to the House of Affirmation for clergy and religious having difficulties. Invited by the Sisters of St. Francis in Sylvania, Ohio, Philomena became the director of their Renewal Program. She later became the director of the Renewal Programs in the Philippines and Hong Kong and Macao for a year from 1982.

At St. John the Baptist Community in 1984, she was missioned to be a psychotherapist, counselor and retreat director as well as to give workshops. In 1985, she was invited to be a counselor at a Consultation Center in Toledo, Ohio. A year later she became administrative coordinator at LaSalette Pastoral Shrine Counseling Services. In 1992, Philomena was missioned to St. John the Baptist Convent serving as director of retreats and pastoral workshops. She was later appointed coordinator of Our lady of Peace Community in Fruit Hill and served generously from July 1994 to December 1997. In 2018, Philomena’s mission was to En Karim Community at St. Antoine Residence where she was always a person of prayer and spirituality. Much respected for her skills and deep spiritual wisdom, Philomena's constant motto in life has always been: “May God’s Holy Will be done until the end.”

She had a private burial service at the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, Fruit Hill Ave., North Providence.