Sr. Raphael Bordages, O.P.

Sr. Raphael Bordages, O.P. (Mary Rose) entered eternal life on Friday, May 17, 2024. Sr. Raphael was born in Beaumont, TX, on November 20, 1921, to the late James Dennis “Dennie” and Marie Bonnemaison Bordages. She was preceded in death by her siblings J.D. (Jr.), Phillip, Msgr. Martin, William (Bill), I.R. (Buddy), Patrick, Walter, and Sr. Denise (Dominican Sister). She is survived by her sisters Sr. Marie Bordages, Sr. Emily Bordages, Sr. Frances Marie Bordages, and Loretta Gary. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews, and other extended family members.

Sr. Raphael entered the Dominican Sisters of Houston in 1940. She earned a B.A. in English and Spanish at Dominican College, Houston. She completed advanced studies in Scripture and Theology at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, the Aquinas Institute, St. Louis, MO, and the Diocese of Beaumont, TX.

Sr. Raphael enjoyed fifty years in education ministry, serving at St. Mary School, Houston; St. Charles School, Nederland, TX; Holy Family School, Wharton, TX; Sacred Heart School, Houston; St. Francis De Sales School, Riverside, CA; St. Mary School, Orange, TX; St. Austin School, Austin, TX; St. Ann School, Nacogdoches, TX; St. Patrick School, Lufkin, TX; St. Anthony Cathedral School, Beaumont, TX; and Our Lady of the Assumption School, Beaumont, TX. She also served as Director of Religious Education at Sacred Heart Parish, Nacogdoches, TX.

Her congregational service included her ministry as a tutor and receptionist at the Villa de Matel, Houston, and receptionist and sacristan at the Dominican Sisters Motherhouse.

Sr. Raphael had an engaging personality. As a youth she was active in sports, especially in basketball (nicknamed “Dynamite”) and baseball. In her retirement she loved knitting beautiful scarves and caps for the Dominican Sisters Art Sale. She authored a book of poetry entitled “Reflections of a Little Nun.” Poetry and song leapt spontaneously from her heart on any occasion. Although small in stature, she embodied an inner greatness that issued from a life of 102 years, well lived and well loved.

Sister’s body will be welcomed at 4 p.m. and the vigil service will be at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at St. Dominic Villa Chapel, 6504 Almeda Rd. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 24, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Dominic Villa Chapel. Please see the Dominican Sisters of Houston website at www.domhou.org for live-stream information and links. Burial is at Forest Park Lawndale at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of the usual remembrances, donations may be made to Dominican Sisters of Houston, 6501 Almeda Road, Houston, TX, 77021.