Sister Alicia was born in Mexico and came with her family to Oxnard, California, when she was 6 years old, where she continued her studies. Sister Maria Alicia entered the convent with the Sisters of Bethany while attending Ventura College, where she received her Associate of Arts degree.
She received her religious formation in Guatemala City, where she was for three years, and then returned to California. Her first assignment was at the Catholic Charities in Santa Barbara, then in Lompoc as Religion Teacher, and at La Purisima Catholic School in Religious Education. For many years, Sister Maria Alicia served as Director of Religious Education at Christ the King Parish and St. John Chrysostom, Holy Spirit, and St. Andrew.
She received her Master Catechist and Virtus Facilitator certificates at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Currently, she is the Mother Superior of her Congregation in Los Angeles.