The work of our North American Sisters in prison ministry is one of the hundreds of ways in which Medical Mission Sisters around the world try to be a healing presence to those in need today.

Statistics reveal that children who experienced abuse are likely to become abusers themselves. In the U.S., many women in prison have a history of abuse, and many also have a history of drug addiction. Our Sisters try to bring healing and reconciliation to these women in a number of ways. Among them:

Houses of Healing
Sisters Nina Fritsch and Phyllis Backer conduct a 12-week Houses of Healing Course 3 times a year, at Philadelphia Industrial Correction Center (PIC) state prison. Sister Pat Travaline conducts the same program at Pinellas County Jail, in Clearwater, Florida. Each course has
10 - 15 women with a mixture of faith backgrounds.

Sister Nina describes the program: "It begins each week with a meditation, then guides the participants in a process of self-awareness; self-understanding; looking at the past (positive and negative); forgiveness of others and themselves; asking for forgiveness from others when appropriate; managing anger and grief; and ultimately realizing that life is worth living, and that the world needs their unique contributions." The course includes a textbook, written assignments, and certificates of completion.

Sister Nina, who spent many years in Latin America, recently started offering the Houses of Healing Course, in Spanish, at the Philadelphia Federal prison.