Cecilia Josefita Trujillo was born February 24, 1918 in Flagstaff, Arizona, the second oldest child of Serapio and Virginia (Montano) Trujillo. Cecilia’s parents were born in New Mexico, her grandparents came from Spain. Twin daughters, Viola and Fabiola died in infancy and two brothers, Herman and Pedro also preceded her in death.

When Cecilia was four years old the family moved to Albuquerque where her mother died on November 3, 1922. After her mother’s death, Cecilia lived with her grandmother. She attended boarding school in Bernalillo, New Mexico and St. Vincent Academy in Albuquerque through eighth grade. After attending Washington Junior High School for two years she entered at Clyde on June 17, 1934, at age 16. Cecilia had been assured that she could finish school after entering, but when she arrived at Clyde the Academy was being closed.

After one year postulancy, she entered the novitiate on October 1935, during which time she worked at the printery and the infirmary kitchen. First profession of vows was on February 5, 1937, when she received the name Sr. M. Petronilla, returning to her baptismal name some years later. Three months before her profession day, Cecilia was saddened by the death of her grandmother. Final profession was on February 10, 1942. Her first assignment was providing for the Sisters’ needs through work in the vestry, a ministry which she continued at Clyde for about 25 years. January 10, 1965, Cecilia was transferred to our Tucson monastery where she remained until she moved into St. Benedict Health Care community at our St. Louis monastery on March 14, 1992.

Our beloved Sister Cecilia Marie will be remembered for her love for music and dancing, as well as her artistic and creative abilities. In Tucson she continued to surprise and delight all with the variety of her artistic creations: "eyes of God", hanging scenic designs, beautiful altar cloths, and woven stoles. She was also skilled in candlemaking, pottery, ceramics and clay. Her love for beauty was equally apparent in her artistery in gift-wrapping and even ordinary community duties.

Sister Cecilia Marie had a hunger for contemplative ideals, often reading books and listening to tapes on scripture and contemplative prayer. She found great comfort and strength in the guidance of Sr. Ludwigis Fabian, OSB in "sitting prayer" and considered it a special gift from God that Sr. Ludi was in Tucson to encourage and comfort her in her last illness.

Sister Cecilia underwent surgery for cancer in August 1991. In a letter written in early September 1991, she wrote: "As I was riding home August 23 from the doctor’s office, I closed my eyes and tears flooded down. I was very quiet, and these words came to me: "Be not afraid, for I am always with you, at your side."

I sang these words in my heart and a great peace came over me. I felt God very close to me, and has been ever since. I am very happy and that helps me...everyday. The sisters here are a wonder of love and understanding, and believe me, they are a marvel of love."

Sister Cecilia constantly expressed gratitude for the love and goodness she had experienced in Tucson, and seemed overwhelmed by the loving care extended to her in St. Louis. Amid her sufferings and discomfort she constantly prayed that Jesus would bring her home. Before Sister Karen left for an OSB Presidents’ meeting in Minnesota, Cecilia told her that she would wait until she came back. She did. Karen returned home on Wednesday evening, and Thursday morning Sister Cecilia notified the nursing staff that it was the day she was going to die. Sister Gladys assured her that she would not be alone, that her sisters would be with her until the end. And we were.

Throughout the afternoon and evening, Sister Cecilia’s room was a "gathering place" of prayer, presence and song as we witnessed and participated in our sister’s act of worship: the liturgy of her death. During our vigil of waiting with her, the "Suscipe", the Hail Mary, "Be not afraid", and many other appropriate hymns were sung, including some Spanish songs sung by Sisters Ramona, Mary Jane and Lupita. Everyone was aware of Sister Cecilia’s particular devotion to Mary so the Hail Mary was prayed aloud frequently. Although unable to speak to us, at one point she struggled to formulate one single word: "Mary." Sister Cecilia said that Mary would be with her at the hour of her death. We believe she had an experience we could not see.

On April 9, our vigil with her continued during vespers and after supper until the "eyes of God" looked with love upon our Sr. Cecilia Marie and called her home at 8:45 PM.