Sister M. Digna Vela, daughter of the late Emilio and Bertha (Cantu) Vela was born in Port Lavaca, Texas on August 16, 1942. Sister Digna’s early education was at Jefferson Elementary School and Travis Junior High School in Port Lavaca before she transferred to Nazareth Academy in her sophomore year and graduated from N.A. in 1960. She entered the convent on August 21,1960. She received the habit of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament on July 30, 1961 and pronounced her first vows on August 6, 1962. She began her college education at Annunciation College in Victoria, Texas and transferred to Incarnate Word College in San Antonio, Texas from which she received a B.A. degree with a double major in

English and Spanish. Sister then attended St. Mary’s University in San Antonio where she earned a Master’s Degree in theology. Sister Digna attended a spiritual direction program at Creighton University in Omaha, NE where she earned a Graduate Certificate on August 14, 2011in Spiritual Direction and Directed Retreats.

During her 60 years of service as a professed member of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, Sister Digna taught in the elementary and junior high schools at Our Lady of Victory School in Victoria, Immaculate Conception School in Sealy, St. Mary School in Nada, Our Lad y of Perpetual Help School in Selma, and Holy Cross School in Bay City. Sister also ministered in the following high schools: Nazareth Academy in Victoria, Blessed Sacrament Academy in San Antonio, and St. Joseph High School in Victoria. Sister began ministry for the Diocese of Victoria as Director of the Office of Catechetical Ministry serving in that capacity for 22 years. Beginning in the Diocese of Victoria and continuing at Incarnate Word Convent, for 18 years Sister was the Director and Editor of Disciples on the Journey, a Lenten lectionary booklet in English and Spanish for small groups. This booklet was sold to parishes throughout the United States. Sister Digna is presently the Director of Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament Amor Meus Spirituality Center at Incarnate Word Convent. Sister ministers by teaching courses for the Diocese of Victoria, speaking at conferences, conducting retreats and workshops, and giving spiritual direction.