"Working here has been challenging, but it has given me an appreciation of the people's tenacity for life under such harsh conditions."

Agriculture is a practical mission and a holy calling for Maryknoll Sister Aurelia Atencio, an agronomist, as she helps peasant farmers who toil in the potato fields of the Andes Mountains in Perú.

Sister Aurelia entered the Maryknoll Sisters Congregation in 1966 from Amarilla, New Mexico. She studied at Mary Rogers College at Maryknoll, N.Y., after which she was assigned to Lima, Perú. From 1970-74, Sister Aurelia earned both her B.S.and M.S. in Agriculture and Agronomy at New Mexico State University. She also received her Certificate in Theology and Spirituality from Sangre de Cristo Center in New Mexico.

After serving in various capacities at the Maryknoll Center, including as a photographer for the Sisters, Sister Aurelia returned to Perú. She served as a member of a pastoral team at the Instituto de Educación Rural in Palermo, Ilave, Pilcuyo and Vilquechico, where she continues to work with indigenous farmers.