Sr. Purificacion G. Bautista

Sister Purificacion "Pia" Bautista, 89 years of age, suddenly, but gently, passed away on early in the morning of July 23, 2026, in her apartment in Appleton, WI. Her niece was with her at the time.

Pia was born in Tarlac, Tarlac, Philippines on July 21, 1937, daughter of Francisco Bautista and Honorata Goingco.

Pia was one of five young women under the spiritual guidance of Fr. John P. Delaney, SJ, who became the founding sisters of what is now the Region of Cenacle Asia. Pia left the Philippines for the United States to enter religious life with the Sisters of the Cenacle in 1958 in Ronkonkoma, NY not knowing if she would ever return to the Philippines. However, the five of them and one American Sister sailed for Manila in 1967.

Having entered the Cenacle on September 16, 1958, she was a dedicated Cenacle Sister for nearly 68 years. She freely and fully gave of herself wherever she was missioned: Chicago and Warrenville, IL, Quezon City and Indang, Philippines, Carmichael, CA, Metairie, LA, New Haven CT, Madison and Appleton, WI. She gave her services accompanying individuals and groups searching for spiritual meaning in their lives, directing retreats, teaching faith-formation classes, developing a specialized program for the Archdiocese of Chicago, and being a hospital chaplain.

Pia Bautista is survived by her brother, Benjamin (Linda) Bautista.

Pia is preceded in death by her parents, Francisco and Honorata Bautista; her siblings, Rosendo Bautista, Elacio Bautista, Boy Bautista, Juanita Roman, Abelardo Tinio, and Emidio Tinio; as well as several in-laws, nieces, nephews, and grandnephews.

A Catholic Mass in her memory will be said at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 10th at St. Joseph Church, 404 W Lawrence Street, Appleton, WI. Rev. Ray Stadmeyer, OFM Cap, presiding.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at a later date at the Cenacle Sisters' Chicago residence's chapel. Inurnment will be at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cenacle Sisters at cenaclesisters.org or 3800 W. Peterson Avenue, Chicago, IL 60659.