1. Prudence

Prudence is the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it; “the prudent man looks where he is going,” It is not confused with timidity or fear, nor with duplicity or dissimulation. It is called auriga virtutum (the charioteer of the virtues); it guides the other virtues by setting rule and measure. It is prudence that immediately guides the judgment of conscience. The prudent man determines and directs his conduct in accordance with this judgment. With the help of this virtue we apply moral principles to particular cases without error and overcome doubts about the good to achieve and the evil to avoid.

Fr. Domingo Collantes, OP, describes her pleasant affability and great prudence in her rule over the “beaterio” and prudent economy in the management of her family.

Fr. Francisco Gaínza, OP, in his Milicia, writes of Mother Francisca: “In the blamelessness of her conduct and in the face of tribulations, she could find a colorful mixture of simplicity and frankness in her pleasing friendliness and great prudence, in the government of her Beaterio, she could discover the merciful discretion mingled with the prudent economy in the management of her family. Mother Francisca was elected prioress and discharged her office for fifteen years, for a lifetime because her exemplary life, her zeal for the regular observance, her mortification, and other virtues shone in her guaranteed prudence of her government and established immense hope for abundant fruits in that new vineyard of which she was the custodian.”

Added Fr. Gaínza: “Re-established at the Beaterio, the Venerable Francisca devoted herself immediately to all the wishes of her fervent heart – the practice of the most sublime virtues – humility, silence, and the most ardent charity, mortifications were practiced jointly with her virtues and prayer, and the presence of God seasoned all the actions of her laborious life.

2. Justice

Justice is the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor. Justice toward God is called the “virtue of religion.” Justice toward men disposes one to respect the rights of each and to establish in human relationships, the harmony that promotes equity with regard to persons and to the common good.

The just man, often mentioned in the Sacred Scriptures, is distinguished by habitual right thinking and the uprightness of his conduct toward his neighbor. “You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.” . “Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.”

Shortly after the death of Mother Antonia, Mother Francisca and two others who just received the habit came to live in the house of Mother Antonia as in a convent.

There was a young woman of a Spanish-Japanese descent and a spiritual child of Fr. Juan de Santo Domingo who repeatedly requested him that she be introduced to Mother Francisca for she wanted to receive the habit. Fr. J. de Sto. Domingo left the decision to Mother Francisca. What could be Mother Francisca’s basis of her option? Was it just because she has an affinity with Fr. Sto. Domingo being his godchild? Will the community of three be able to afford an additional member knowing that they are short of means? Is it just because they needed more members in the community?

Mother Francisca knew this girl Jacinta to be devout and a lover of God. She begged to receive the habit which she has been longing for. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit Mother Francisca strongly considered her as being worthy to receive the habit taking into account of her being an upright person as observed. So, Fr. J. de Sto. Domingo vested her the habit of a Beata.

A few months later, Rosa, a very beautiful lady who was just a little more than 25 years old came to know about the community of Beatas, she came to seek for admission. Her father Capt. Prieto took her away from the College of Sta. Potenciana to be married off to a certain man whom she refused. Her words manifested maturity and she was observed to have a good spirit. Mother Francisca accompanied her to see Fr. J. Sto. Domingo who just returned from his canonical visitation. She talked with him with much prudence and humility as perceived by Fr. J. Sto. Domingo.

On the other hand, Mother Francisca gave her observation that is proper of her. She praised her for being humble and a lover of mental prayer. Not long after she received the habit which disappointed the father. Within a month, Capt. Bartolome Prieto came back very happy to see Rosa with the habit.

At another instance, Mother Francisca exhibited her upright conduct towards her superiors. It was a touching moment when the Archbishop, the Dominican Fathers and the Beatas agreed on their return to the Beaterio. The Archbishop issued a Decree approving the Beaterio. Mother Francisca and the Beatas notwithstanding the travails they went through during their 2 years and 3 months exile in Santa Potenciana submitted themselves, with all due respect to the Archbishop, to enclosure as a fulfillment of the Decrees of Pope Pius V.

3. Fortitude /Courage

Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions. It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause. “The Lord is my strength and my song.” “In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Mother Francisca was not a stranger to the sufferings of the Cross. Like the Crucified Lord, she experienced humiliation and rejection.

The first experience of suffering was, when the Beatas especially Mother Francisca started to urge Fr. Juan de Sto. Domingo about the Beaterio, an idea that was far from his thoughts. And because he was of the contrary opinion he would always say no to the idea yet she stood firm and strong. Inspite of the opposition of Fr. Juan, Mother Francisca courageously pressed on Fr. Juan de Sto. Domingo about the Beaterio. Out of his anger, he told her she was “impertinente” for she would not give in to his reasons. At the end, everything happened as she has said it would.

Another painful experience for Mother Francisca came from her own sisters. Temptations to abandon their vocation disturbed their relationships. Fidelity to prayer life weakened and some gave in to distractions brought about by long, gossipy chatter with visitors. Mother Francisca did not consent to the neglect of the observance of the rules of the community. Her great care in this practice exasperated some “Beatas” who turned cold to the fulfillment of their duties as religious. The Mother was obliged to reprimand them, because their conduct required it. Our Lord, however, permitted her patience to be tested further, for the discontented Beatas judged Mother Francisca as harsh and over-rigorous. One of them complained to the Archbishop of the extreme sternness of Mother Francisca. The whole affair would lead to the Beatas’ expulsion and to the Beaterio. They packed off to exile in tears, told to divest of their religious habits and dispensed from their vows.

This was a severe blow dealt on the foundress, who saw destroyed in a moment what took years to build. Inspite of this affliction, Mother Francisca showed herself courageously patient and tolerant.

Another humbling experience of Mother Francisca was she and the Beatas were caught in the middle of quarreling ecclesiastical authorities. Great was her pain on being denied the Eucharist as a result of the excommunication by the Archbishop of Manila, yet faced trials with courage.

On one occasion Mother Francisca complained to Fr. Juan that many Beatas no longer felt obliged to obey her since they had been dispensed from their vows, yet she stood firm bearing the pain of rejection with firmness.

However, in the end, her patient endurance and courage to trials were rewarded.

4. Temperance

Temperance is the moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods. It ensures the will’s mastery over instincts and keeps desires within the limits of what is honorable. The temperate person directs the sensitive appetites toward what is good and maintains a healthy discretion: “Do not follow your inclination and strength, walking according to the desires of your heart.” . Temperance is often praised in the Old Testament: “Do not follow your base desires, but restrain your appetites.” . In the New Testament it is called “moderation” or “sobriety”. We ought to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world” .

Francisca de Fuentes was married young, however her marriage did not last long. She was left without children. In this new state, she had other opportunities or options on how to devote her time for the rest of her life. Could she have considered a second marriage or remain a widow spending her life in the comfort of her home?

But the Lord looks into the heart. God in his wisdom called Francisca de Fuentes to cling only to him with greater freedom of heart, body, and spirit.

Following the call to a new way of life, she gave herself truly to the service of God with much profit to her soul and much perseverance in mental and vocal prayers, so that her house seemed to be an oratory.

Her intimacy with God directed her desires not to earthly goods to enrich herself rather she chose to give up what she had even what was necessary for her living and gave them to the poor. She was filled with the love of God so that she tried to do everything for the sake of the beloved. She saw God in the sick so that she would go to San Juan de Dios Hospital to bring something to eat for the unfortunate sick to whom she distributed and served food.

The experience of Mother Francisca during the 2 trying years of exile in Santa Potenciana was a test of her inner disposition. Divested of their habit and dispensed from their vows of obedience and poverty, she and the Beatas returned to their lay state. In fact they were already addressed as Doña. Mother Francisca was aware of the attitudes of some of the Beatas who were inwardly restless. Many would like to go home. Some parents would like to take them home from Sta. Potenciana.

Possessed with a balanced temper she was able to weigh the things of God above self-gratuity. It never cross her mind of abandoning the life she was called to or remain in the lay state. All these tribulations, trials, and sufferings were worth bearing for the sake of the Beloved.

The visit of the Fr. Provincial was an opportunity for the Beatas to make their options. He stood by the door of the sala and said in a loud voice: “Señoras, the door is open for those who would like to go, do not wait to give us any more troubles, but to those who will persevere, the Order will not fail them.

The words of Fr. Provincial reproving the disgruntled Beatas grieved Mother Francisca very much. She was hurting deep inside but her love for the Beaterio out of charity sustained her. She did not waver in her desire to give herself truly to the service of God all her life.