Every month, a group of nuns from Texas visit the women on the state’s death row to provide spiritual support and pray with them. These nuns have formed a close bond with the women and have become good friends with them.
A group of women, all convicted of killing another person, have formed an unlikely bond with a group of holy sisters. Despite their differences, the sisters’ unwavering faith and commitment to peace guide their interactions with these women.
Upon her initial visit to the maximum-security prison that houses the women on Texas’ death row, Sister Pia Maria felt a sense of apprehension. Along with the other nuns, she was wary of entering what they perceived to be the most perilous area of the facility and expressed her nervousness at the prospect of meeting the incarcerated women.
The judge has ruled that the convicted murderer, who has been on death row for 33 years, must either be retried or released. To learn more about this case, click the link below.
As she was preparing to meet the women who had committed crimes that were deemed unspeakable by her and the other nuns, she found herself at a loss for words. The thought of what they would talk about once they started conversing was perplexing. She couldn’t help but worry whether she would be able to make it out of the prison.
Upon entering the prison, Sister Pia and her sisters shared with Catholic News Agency that they experienced an immediate shift. “All the barriers just dropped,” Sister Pia explained. It was as if they were “just immersed” in the environment.
“We were laughing and talking as friends, feeling a sense of peace and spiritual presence,” she recalled. “During our first visit, we were able to connect and bond in a remarkable way. It was truly amazing, and we felt it was the grace of God.”
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For several years now, the Sisters of Mary Morning Star, a contemplative Catholic order situated near Waco, have been paying monthly visits to the death row inmates at the Patrick L. O’Daniel Unit prison. During this time, they have formed genuine friendships with the women, resulting in six out of seven of them converting to Catholicism. The nuns have been dedicated to this cause, and their efforts have borne fruit in the form of meaningful relationships and spiritual transformations.
According to CNA, The Sisters of Mary Morning Star is a fairly new order that emerged from a place of suffering around a decade ago. At present, they operate ten convents across the globe. The convent in Waco, which is located about 90 miles south of Dallas and Fort Worth, serves as their base.
According to Sister Pia, the sisters and she refer to Texas’ death row as “Light Row.” She explained that this nickname is a tribute to the camaraderie and spirituality that they discovered there. The living conditions, she added, resemble those of monks and other religious communities.
According to Sister Pia, the prisoners have transformed into “oblates,” which refers to individuals who are not official members of the sisterhood but embody its principles and values. Essentially, they are laypeople who desire wholeheartedly to live by the sisterhood’s values while still existing outside of it.
At first, Sister Pia had doubts, but she now shares that she and her fellow sisters receive more from the death row inmates than they can offer. She finds it highly rewarding to be able to interact with them.
The sisters do not offer any assistance to the death row inmates regarding their cases or avenues to appeal their sentences. Their support is limited to providing spiritual guidance and companionship, which helps the inmates cope with the harsh conditions of Texas’ death row. There is no provision for any legal aid or support to potentially reduce their sentences to life imprisonment.
The women on Texas’ death row are currently without execution dates, but the sisters are mentally preparing themselves for the potentiality that their friends could be subject to capital punishment at any given moment, should the state decide to schedule their executions.
While the execution of women is a rare occurrence, Texas, known for executing the highest number of individuals, has executed six women to date. It is important to note that these women were sentenced to death and their executions have been scheduled.
According to CNA, the nuns gained entry into the prison thanks to Deacon Ronnie Lastovica, who serves as the pastoral care coordinator for the Diocese of Austin. Deacon Lastovica had been preaching to inmates at the prison for several years. The prison is situated in Gatesville, a town located approximately 38 miles west of Waco and 100 miles north of Austin.
According to reports, he got in touch with the prioress of the sisters and proposed a visit to the prison. Although initially hesitant, the prioress eventually agreed to the visit, considering whether it aligned with the mission of the sisterhood. Following this, arrangements were made, and the group of women made their way to the prison.
The women in prison have been taught by the nuns on how to live a life like theirs despite the restrictions they face. The nuns eagerly anticipate their monthly visits to the prison.
