Sister Yolanda Escamilla

Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Sister Yolanda entered the School Sisters of St. Francis from St. Joseph Parish there in 1974 and professed first vows in 1975 at Mount Assisi Convent in Pittsburgh.

It was as a seventh-grader at South San Public School that she first felt called to religious life and the same community of Catholic Sisters who taught and directed the CCD program at her home parish.

Over these five decades, Sister has lived in dedication to the service of God’s people – whether serving meals at Mount Assisi Convent, through missionary work in Chile, caring for the elderly, teaching CCD, doing social work, or ministering as a teacher’s aide.

But she has not walked alone. “My family and community have always prayed and praised and the Father, Son and Holy Spirit with me on the journey,” she says.

Her compassion, perhaps, has been most evident over the more than 20 years she spent as a caretaker and assistant activities director with Living Day’s Adult Daycare Center in San Antonio.

A soft-spoken soul, Sister Yolanda brought her experience and kind heart to Pittsburgh in 2024, where she serves her community and continues her life’s work in service as a volunteer at Mt. Assisi Place personal care home.

“God has always been present, loving and forgiving,” Sister says. “I look back gratefully and forward with hope.”