Sister Emilia Atencio, OP

“Blessed be God who refused me not my prayers nor His kindness”

~ Psalm 66:20

For 60 years I have worked with prayerful people and learned that prayers are answered. I am grateful to my dear family, my Dominican Sisters, people with whom I have worked, my friends, my pupils, and all those who have helped me in my pilgrimage of life.

I was born on April 5,1935, to very good parents, Miguel Antonio and Cordelia Atencio. I have three younger brothers, Willie, Isaac, and Eugene Philip. I am glad our Dominican Sisters taught school in my home parish of Santa Cruz, because when I felt called to be a Sister, I chose Marywood.

I always wanted to be a teacher, so after attending Aquinas College, I was assigned to teach intermediate grades. I taught, learned, and really enjoyed my 22 years in the classroom. My teaching years were in Michigan and later in New Mexico. In 1980, I was asked to do parish work at the Historic parish of St. Francis in Ranchos de Taos. I was there for ten years. In 1990, I was fortunate to go to the new parish of Santa Maria de La Paz in Santa Fe. Something new for me was being on the Building Committee for a new Church building that was built in 1995. After 10 years, I went to the historic St. Francis Cathedral for about 14 years. I was lucky to minister in two Historic parishes because they had a Docent Ministry. That gave me a chance to share my religion, my faith, my culture, and the New Mexico art with many visitors who came to the old Historic Churches. After retirement, I continue to be a volunteer Docent at the Cathedral in Santa Fe.