Sister Mary Louise Becerra (formerly Sister M. Mathilde), CDP, entered eternal life May 19, 2022 at the age of 92. She was born August 10, 1929 in San Antonio, Texas to Francisco and Matilde (González) Becerra. She had six brothers and four sisters. Her baptismal name was María De La Luz. She answered God’s call to become a Sister of Divine Providence on June 21, 1952 and professed first vows on June 22, 1953.
Sister Mary Louise attributes her faith to the example and guidance of her father. She attended San Fernando School from fifth through eleventh grade, where she was taught by the Sisters of Divine Providence (CDP.) By the third year in high school she decided to enter the convent.
Sister Mary Louise’s personal desire was to become a missionary in South Africa. To her surprise, Providence led her to education. She obediently embraced this unforeseen plan. She taught elementary through high school in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Missouri and Mexico over a span of 48 years. Her Texas ministries included St. Michael’s, St. Anthony’s, St. Martin Hall Schools, and Holy Cross, Incarnate Word, and Providence High Schools in San Antonio and St. Louis School in Castroville. She remained active in education by volunteering until 2014.
Sister Mary Louise earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Our Lady of the Lake College, San Antonio, Texas in 1957 and a Master of Arts from the University of Texas in San Antonio in 1983.
As a Sister of Divine Providence, she was able to stay focused on that ever-persistent goal of a deeper relationship with God. May she watch over us as she enjoys the ultimate relationship with God.
She is survived by her sibling, Rosemarie Becerra Eguia, numerous nieces and nephews and her Sisters of Divine Providence. She was preceded in death by her parents Francisco and Matilde Becerra and brothers, Salvador, Frank, Ramiro, Alfonso, Louis and Carlos Becerra and sisters, Ana Maria Becerra, Beatriz Julia Espinoza and Dolores Gonzalez.
The Rosary is Thursday, May 26, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.; Wake, at 6:30 p.m. Mass of Resurrection is Friday, May 27, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. All services will be in Annunciation Chapel at Our Lady of the Lake Convent Center.
In lieu of flowers, you may wish to make a memorial contribution to the Sisters of Divine Providence, 515 S.W. 24th Street, San Antonio, Texas 78207-4619.