Memory of Sr. María Lizt Panta Mendoza

Sr. María Lizt Yesenia Panta Mendoza, born on 20 March 1980, in Túcume, Chiclayo, Lambayeque, daughter of Mr. José Hilario Panta and Mrs. Libertad Mendoza, is the fifth daughter of the family.

She was baptised on 20th June 1982 in the Church of San Pedro de Túcume in Chiclayo and confirmed on 18th September 1997 in the parish of Malabrigo, Virgen del Carmen. She lived most of her life in Puerto Malabrigo, together with her siblings and her mother.

He came to know our Congregation through Priest Salvador

She participated with us in a vocational experience in 1997, from then on she kept in contact with us throughout that year. On March 19, 1998, she asked to join our Congregation for the first time, after some time she returned to her family environment and from there she continued with her Christian commitment to the Church in her town, always keeping in contact with the sisters.

On 27 December 2002, she again applied for admission and was admitted to the Aspirancy. She developed as a cheerful young woman, committed to the tasks entrusted to her.

In January 2003, she began her Postulancy training, during which time she was very dedicated to working with families.

On 4 January 2004, she applied to enter the novitiate and was admitted to this stage of formation. During the two years that this stage lasted, Sister Lizt stood out for her love of music and singing, she devoted herself with affection to the sick, visiting them and bringing them Holy Communion, she assisted them with great dedication, she was very patient with them and gave them space to listen to her.

On the 8th of January 2006 she took her first vows and on the 15th of August 2010 she took her perpetual vows, consecrating herself as a member of our religious family "Franciscan Sisters of Bamberga", in our chapel Mary Queen of Peace. Sister Lizt was characterized by her closeness to the most fragile in our society, she had a special affection for the families and the elderly, she was very attentive to the national reality, as well as to prepare some detail to cheer up the sister who was celebrating her saint's day or birthday.

During her formation she was animated at all times by the love of Jesus.

Singing and the guitar were her companions in the apostolate, with these great gifts she joyfully shared the Good News of the Gospel with children, the elderly and families, always giving her heart and soul to the mission entrusted to her.

Since his Postulancy year, she supported various catechesis in the Chapel of Mary Queen of Peace and in 2005. She collaborated in the Confirmation Catechesis in the Parish of St. Anthony Mary Claret. That same year she began his university studies at Marcellin Champagnat University, majoring in Social Sciences and Religious Studies, graduating in 2009.  She knew how to combine her studies with her catechetical work and her professional practices, carried out in the schools. "Sagrada Familia" and "Santa Maria Goretti". In 2007 she was sent to the community of "San Francisco" - in the district of Salamanca, from where she supports the school Shuji Kitamura - in the district of Santa Anita, as a teacher of religion in the levels of Primary and Secondary, also collaborating with the Pastoral of the School.

In 2011 she began her work at the Santa Maria Goretti Private School, where she joyfully animated the liturgies and pastoral work of the school.

In January 2013 she was sent to the Fraternity "Santa Clara" - Chimbote, during her short stay in this fraternity she continued to accompany the sick and elderly in home visits, she also took charge of the Family Catechesis and the Legion of Mary of Our Lady of Fatima; and until the month of July she worked as Academic Coordinator in the Libardoni School in Chimbote, her stay in this city was until the month of September, returning to Lima for medical treatment.

In 2014 she was diagnosed with Lymphatic Cancer, leading to a deterioration of her health, however, her trust in Jesus and Mary strengthened her in this long process of illness.

Even in the difficult moments of her illness, Sr. Lizt was always present, giving her contribution to the community, sharing her reflections. She was always reminding the sisters of the celebrations that were coming up, the readings she gave at the conventual chapters and retreats.

With our Legionary Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, she shared moments of prayer to our mother the Virgin Mary, to whom she had a special affection, through the recitation of the Holy Rosary and the reflections of the Marian lectionary she deepened his great Love for Jesus through Mary.

The art of composition and drawing inspired her to write the prayer and the logo of our V Regional Chapter, 2022 to 2025, thus making her present among us, even though she was physically unable to be present due to her illness.

During the time of the pandemic, moved by her impetus to continue evangelising, she did not wait and took part in a course on virtual dynamics, a tool that would help her to accompany the children of the Tarma Charity by means of zoom. She also gave her time to the mothers of the Tablada soup kitchens, and whenever she could, she found an opportunity to share her faith with all those who were close to her.

Sr. Lizt always manifested her great love for Jesus through prayer preparation where she creatively shared her faith and trust in the One who had called her.

Her love for her religious vocation allowed her to develop her talents and put them at the service of those in need, her fidelity to God's call allowed her to find a path of happiness and joy.

On 11 February, the feast of the Virgin of Lourdes, our Mother the Virgin Mary opens her arms to take her to meet her beloved Jesus. Our Sister Lizt was called by God to meet Him, to share with Him the Kingdom promised to all humanity. She made a journey of maturation to become a seed of life, and so, as she matured, God welcomed her into his arms as a beloved daughter.

Dear Sister Lizt "IN the arms of God, we leave you".