The Guadalupan Missionaries of the Holy Spirit wish to share that on March 21, in the City of Los Angeles, CA, Sister Ernestina was called by God, the Merciful Father, to live eternally with Him.

Sister Ernestina was born in the city of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico on Oct. 4, 1944. She was the youngest of seven children. Her parents were Narciso Hernandez and Maria del Carmen Lozano.

Sister Ernestina entered the Guadalupan Missionaries of the Holy Spirit on Dec. 17, 1968. She pronounced her First Vows on Aug. 15, 1971 in Morelia Michoacan, Mexico.

She carried out her mission in Mexico and in various cities throughout the United States including Miami, Belle Glade, Colorado, Los Angeles, and Birmingham, AL.

She arrived in Alabama on July 2002 along with Sisters Candelaria Hernandez and Rosa Maria Reyes, who were invited by Bishop David Foley to work with the Hispanic community of the Diocese of Birmingham.

After visiting the twenty-two Hispanic communities in the Diocese of Birmingham where Mass was celebrated in Spanish, and identifying the priorities, their missionary work focused on evangelization and formation of leaders.  

Sister Ernestina, along with Sister Felicitas Almanza, ministered at the South Hispanic Ministry Center located at St. Peter the Apostle in Hoover. From there they served the communities of Prince of Peace, St. Francis Xavier, Montevallo, Clanton, Ashland, Alexander City, Roanoke, Sylacauga, and Anniston.

Sister Ernestina was small in stature but a great missionary. Carrying the Guadalupan priestly charism as a banner, “I work so that Hispanic leaders meet Christ, discover their personal gifts and become protagonists of their own history in their communities.”

She will always be remembered for her joy, her great taste for music, poetry and dance, especially Puerto Rican merengues. She wrote poetry and composed several songs dedicated to the mission. She was a teacher, educator and catechist, even before entering religious life.  

The Cross of Christ was present in her life after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease while she was living in the Eutaw community. She was in the Eutaw community for some time, where she lived difficult days as her disease progressed. In August 2017 she moved to Los Angeles to live at Casa Rougier, the congregation's home for retired and sick sisters. She passed away at St. John of God Nursing Home in Los Angeles, CA.

Throughout her missionary work, Sister Ernestina touched many lives with her dedication, words of hope, her capacity to love and listen, her spark and constant joy. People loved her, and will continue to love her and remember her for years to come.