In a remarkable mission of mercy and hope, the Sisters of the Good Shepherd of Divine Providence have begun a heartfelt outreach to incarcerated women in Poland, aiming to restore dignity and offer a path toward reintegration. Working closely with the Krzywaniec Prison Institute, the Sisters are combining spiritual formation with practical support to help women rebuild their lives, according to Sr. Krzysztofa Kujawska.
This collaboration, which began in April, is centered on both group sessions and one-on-one conversations with the women behind bars. While the group discussions focus on predetermined themes related to life skills and spiritual growth, individual meetings allow for deeper connection and personal healing. The initiative aligns perfectly with the charism of the Congregation to walk alongside women in difficulty, not only in words but in meaningful action.
The Sisters currently run two active group programs within the prison, offering guidance in both faith and life after release. âOur support doesnât stop at the prison gates,â Sr. Krzysztofa explained. âWe help them with finding housing, employment, or psychological care. Some even come to live with us after they are released.â
Unlike traditional shelters or institutions, the Sisters donât run separate centers. Instead, they open their religious communities as homes, welcoming former inmates with warmth and without judgment. âThey are free to stay as long as they wish, even for life,â Sr. Krzysztofa said. âThis is our charismâto provide a home that sends no one away.â
Beyond counseling and companionship, the Sisters assist in small but vital waysâsending parcels, delivering letters, and coordinating support with prison staff. Such gestures can mean the world to women who have been cut off from family ties and friendships, often broken by the isolating reality of incarceration.
This ministry is deeply rooted in the legacy of Blessed Maria KarĹowska, the Congregationâs Foundress, who dedicated her life to helping vulnerable women on the streets of PoznaĹ. âWeâre not there to judge,â Sr. Krzysztofa affirmed. âWe see them as women first ordinary people who deserve to be treated with respect and hope.â
The Sisters also invite the women to participate in local parish and community life, creating an atmosphere where trust naturally begins to flourish. This gradual trust-building process is key. âThey open up when they are ready,â she noted. âItâs they who decide when to take the next step. Thatâs when transformation truly begins.â
Sr. Krzysztofa recalls her first visit to the prison. âI wasnât sure what would happen next. But then one of them asked, âWhen are you coming again?â That was the moment I knew we were building something real.â
Encouraged by the progress in Krzywaniec, the Congregation is already considering extending its mission to more prisons across Poland. It wouldnât be the first time: the Sisters were active in GrudziÄ
dz Prison in the 1990s, and some of the women they helped back then continue to live in their communities today.
For the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, this is not just prison ministryâit is a living expression of faith, compassion, and the belief that every woman, no matter her past, deserves a future filled with hope.