April 27, 2025
In his bull for the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope1, Pope Francis’ called for the abolition of the death penalty:
In every part of the world, believers, and their Pastors in particular, should be one in demanding dignified conditions for those in prison, respect for their human rights and above all the abolition of the death penalty, a provision at odds with Christian faith and one that eliminates all hope of forgiveness and rehabilitation. In order to offer prisoners a concrete sign of closeness, I would myself like to open a Holy Door in a prison, as a sign inviting prisoners to look to the future with hope and a renewed sense of confidence. 2
At our convent in Waco, Texas, the Sisters have had the unique experience of visiting monthly the 7 women currently on Death Row in Texas for the last three years. Thanks to the ministry of Deacon Ronnie Lastovica, all 7 of these women have had profound conversion experiences, and 6 out of the 7 have become Catholic, as well as Oblates3 of our Community. Author Lawrence Wright recently featured this story in a deep-dive article in the February 2025 edition of THE NEW YORKER4 magazine.
In December 2021, Deacon Ronnie Lastovica5, a permanent married deacon who has a full-time ministry at the prison, first had the intuition that there could be a beautiful connection between this community of contemplative sisters and the women on Death Row. After prayer and discernment, we decided to accept his invitation.
One of the sisters described how the incarcerated women have been witnesses of true Christian hope:
These women have taught me what true Christian hope is. They have so honestly faced their brokenness and suffering — whether that be through a painful past, a terrible crime, or the injustice of being falsely condemned — and have had the courage not to despair. They have to continuously look death in the face and see beyond it to the eternity of joy and peace promised us freely by the mercy of Christ, no matter what we have done. Whether we have committed terrible crimes, or are simply weighed down by the battle against our own vanity, selfishness or pride, when we acknowledge this and desire to receive Christ’s free gift of grace, we are all worthy to live by the joy and freedom of Christ. But it takes a lot of courage and humility to accept this free gift. These women have taught me that.
A woman on “Light Row” shares her thoughts
Britanny Holberg, who has been on Death Row for over 25 years, relates her thoughts during a dark moment of despair on her first day in prison:
The words [of King David in Psalm 50] changed my perspective from one of despair and hopelessness into one of gratitude and restorative hope. What he did for David he longs to do for us as well. Lord change our perspective in times of trouble. Instead of despair, fill us with gratitude.
She also shared her own perspective on the Sisters’ visits to Death Row:
[The Sisters’ visits are] a way to see the infinite love of Jesus for those who may not believe they are worthy of such love. Jesus said he came for the sick, and prisons are filled with the sick who so desperately need to see his love reflected in the eyes of another. This ministry is so desperately needed because there are souls behind these walls who need to know the redeeming love of Christ. They need to know that nothing separates them from the love of Christ Jesus.
[1]https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/bulls/documents/20240509_spes-non-confundit_bolla-giubileo2025.html
[2]]https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-appeal-prayers-federal-death-row-grace-inmates.html
[3]https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/258507/texas-religious-sisters-care-for-their-sisters-in-christ-on-death-row
[4]https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/02/17/the-nuns-trying-to-save-the-women-on-texas-death-row
[5]https://www.ncregister.com/news/prison-ministry-2025-jubilee
