Rest in Peace, Sister Mary Lelia Aguilar, OVISS

Sister Mary Lelia Aguilar (Dorina) was welcomed into eternal life by her loving God on Sunday, January 7, 2024. She was born to Hilario and Herlinda Pena Aguilar on December 22, 1932, in Port Isabel, TX. After graduating from Villa Maria High School, Brownsville, TX, she entered the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament on September 2, 1952, and professed perpetual vows on August 17, 1958.

Sister received her B.A. from St. Edward’s University, Austin, TX. She earned a Master of Education from Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, TX.

Her ministry included teaching and school administration in parochial and private schools in the Archdiocese of San Antonio and the dioceses of Corpus Christi and Brownsville. She worked at Sacred Heart, Corpus Christi Cathedral, Incarnate Word Academy, Christ the King and St. Pius X in Corpus Christi, Our Lady of Victory in Beeville, and St. Luke’s in San Antonio. Sister served as principal at Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Incarnate Word Academy, Villa Maria High School in Brownsville, and Blessed Sacrament in Laredo. 

From 1988 to 1998, Sister Lelia served as director of the annual A Little Bit of Mexico program, the cultural event introducing Brownsville’s Charro Days, rich with life, color, and culture. Also, in 1988, she opened a small summer program to provide language classes to children in Brownsville and Matamoros, MX. The small endeavor started in the Villa Maria High School Cafeteria. In 1992, Villa Maria Language Institute (VMLI) was formalized, and a building on campus was occupied year-round. Sister directed the Institute until she retired from active ministry in 2007. VMLI continues to serve the community to this day.

Sister Mary Lelia served on commissions and committees of the Congregation and was involved in Family Care ministry in Brownsville. After retirement from active ministry, she was assigned to the Motherhouse in Corpus Christi in 2009. 

All services will be held at Incarnate Word Convent, 5201 Lipes Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX, as follows:

• Rosary:  Thursday, Jan. 11 at 6:30 p.m.
• Mass of Christian Burial:  Friday, Jan. 12 at 9:45 a.m.
• Interment:  Friday, Jan. 12 at 11:30 a.m. at Rose Hill Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to “Incarnate Word Sisters Retirement Fund,” Attention:  Sister Annette Wagner, 5201 Lipes Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX  78413-5501.