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. “Our support doesn’t stop at the prison gates,” Sr. Krzysztofa explained. “We help them with finding housing, employment, or psychological care. Some even come to live with us after they are released.”
Unlike traditional shelters or institutions, the Sisters don’t run separate centers. Instead, they open their religious communities as homes, welcoming former inmates with warmth and without judgment. “They are free to stay as long as they wish, even for life,” Sr. Krzysztofa said. “This is our charism—to provide a home that sends no one away.”
Beyond counseling and companionship, the Sisters assist in small but vital ways—sending 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 Karłowska, the Congregation’s Foundress, who dedicated her life to helping vulnerable women on the streets of Poznań. “We’re not there to judge,” Sr. Krzysztofa affirmed. “We see them as women first ordinary people who deserve to be treated with respect and hope.”
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. “They open up when they are ready,” she noted. “It’s they who decide when to take the next step. That’s when transformation truly begins.”
Sr. Krzysztofa recalls her first visit to the prison. “I wasn’t sure what would happen next. But then one of them asked, ‘When are you coming again?’ That was the moment I knew we were building something real.”
Encouraged by the progress in Krzywaniec, the Congregation is already considering extending its mission to more prisons across Poland. It wouldn’t be the first time: the Sisters were active in Grudziądz 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 ministry—it is a living expression of faith, compassion, and the belief that every woman, no matter her past, deserves a future filled with hope.