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The Prison Angel: Mother Antonia's Journey from Beverly Hills to a Life of Service in a Mexican Jail
The winners of the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for international reporting tell the astonishing story of Mary Clarke. At the age of fifty, Clarke left her comfortable life in suburban Los Angeles to follow a spiritual calling to care for the prisoners in one of Mexico's most notorious jails. She actually moved into a cell to live among drug king pins and petty thieves. She has led many of them through profound spiritual transformations in which they turned away from their lives of crime, and has deeply touched the lives of all who have witnessed the depth of her compassion. Donning a nun's habit, she became Mother Antonia, renowned as "the prison angel," and has now organized a new community of sisters-the Servants of the Eleventh Hour—widows and divorced women seeking new meaning in their lives. "We had never heard a story like hers," Jordan and Sullivan write, "a story of such powerful goodness."Born in Beverly Hills, Clarke was raised around the glamour of Hollywood and looked like a star herself, a beautiful blonde reminiscent of Grace Kelly. The choreographer Busby Berkeley spotted her at a restaurant and offered her a job, but Mary's dream was to be a happy wife and mother. She raised seven children, but her two unfulfilling marriages ended in divorce. Then in the late 1960s, in midlife, she began devoting herself to charity work, realizing she had an extraordinary talent for drumming up donations for the sick and poor.
On one charity mission across the Mexican border to the drug-trafficking capitol of Tijuana, she visited La Mesa prison and experienced an intense feeling that she had found her true life's work. As she recalls, "I felt like I had come home." Receiving the blessings of the Catholic Church for her mission, on March 19, 1977, at the age of fifty, she moved into a cell in La Mesa, sleeping on a bunk with female prisoners above and below her. Nearly twenty-eight years later she is still living in that cell, and the remarkable power of her spiritual counseling to the prisoners has become legendary.
The story of both one woman's profound journey of discovery and growth and of the deep spiritual awakenings she has called forth in so many lost souls, The Prison Angel is an astonishing testament to the powers of personal transformation.
On one charity mission across the Mexican border to the drug-trafficking capitol of Tijuana, she visited La Mesa prison and experienced an intense feeling that she had found her true life's work. As she recalls, "I felt like I had come home." Receiving the blessings of the Catholic Church for her mission, on March 19, 1977, at the age of fifty, she moved into a cell in La Mesa, sleeping on a bunk with female prisoners above and below her. Nearly twenty-eight years later she is still living in that cell, and the remarkable power of her spiritual counseling to the prisoners has become legendary.
The story of both one woman's profound journey of discovery and growth and of the deep spiritual awakenings she has called forth in so many lost souls, The Prison Angel is an astonishing testament to the powers of personal transformation.
264 pages, Paperback
Published May 30, 2006
33 people are currently reading
575 people want to read
About the author
Mary C. Jordan
3 books15 followersMary Catherine Jordan is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American journalist, best-selling author and National Correspondent for the Washington Post.
For 14 years Jordan was a foreign correspondent, and has written from nearly 40 countries. With her husband, fellow Washington Post journalist Kevin Sullivan, Jordan ran the newspaper's bureaus in Tokyo, Mexico City and London. She was the founding editor and head of content for Washington Post Live, which organizes political debates, conferences and news events for the media company.
Jordan also interviews some of the world's most accomplished people for the popular “What it Takes” podcast created by the nonprofit Academy of Achievement. Among those she has spoken with as part of this free podcast series, include singing legend Julie Andrews, artificial intelligence innovator Demis Hassabis, and Irish novelist John Banville.
Jordan, a daughter of Irish immigrants, was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. For her high school experience, she attended Saint Joseph Academy in Cleveland, Ohio (Class of 1979). She graduated from Georgetown University in 1983 and earned a master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 1984. In 1989–90, Jordan was awarded a Nieman Fellowship by Harvard University.
For a year at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, she studied W. B. Yeats and other Irish poets. She was given her first job in the newspaper business by Irish author and editor Tim Pat Coogan, who hired her to write a column in The Irish Press. She enrolled in Japanese language classes at Georgetown University before moving to Tokyo for four years and studied Spanish on a post-graduate fellowship at Stanford University before moving to Mexico for five years.
In 2018, Jordan was a national correspondent for the Washington Post writing about politics and the Trump administration and appearing on ABC, BBC, and other TV networks. She covered the 2016 campaign, writing in-depth political stories and profiles.
Jordan was also the founding editor and moderator for Washington Post Live, which hosted forums including "The 40th Anniversary of Watergate" in June 2012 that featured key Watergate figures including former White House counsel John Dean, Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee, and reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. It was held at the Watergate hotel.
She has interviewed many newsmakers all over the world including singer and songwriter Paul McCartney, Colombian novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Benjamin Arellano Felix, one of Mexico's most notorious drug kingpins.
She has written extensively about injustices and discrimination against women including the exceedingly low conviction rate of rape in Britain and the many girls in India denied schooling solely because they were not born male.
Jordan and Sullivan won the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting for their Post series on the "horrific conditions in Mexico's criminal justice system and how they affect the daily lives of people," as the Pulitzer Board described. https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/kevi...
Along with four Post photographers, Jordan and Sullivan were also finalists for the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting for their series of stories on the difficulties women face around the world. The Pulitzer jury called the series a "sensitive examination of how females in the developing world are often oppressed from birth to death, a reporting project marked by indelible portraits of women and girls and enhanced by multimedia presentations." https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/staf...
Jordan has also won numerous other awards including the George Polk Award, and accolades from the Overseas Press Club of America and the Society of Professional Journalists.
In 2016, Jordan was the winner of the Washington Post’s Eugene Meyer Award for her exceptional contribution.
For 14 years Jordan was a foreign correspondent, and has written from nearly 40 countries. With her husband, fellow Washington Post journalist Kevin Sullivan, Jordan ran the newspaper's bureaus in Tokyo, Mexico City and London. She was the founding editor and head of content for Washington Post Live, which organizes political debates, conferences and news events for the media company.
Jordan also interviews some of the world's most accomplished people for the popular “What it Takes” podcast created by the nonprofit Academy of Achievement. Among those she has spoken with as part of this free podcast series, include singing legend Julie Andrews, artificial intelligence innovator Demis Hassabis, and Irish novelist John Banville.
Jordan, a daughter of Irish immigrants, was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. For her high school experience, she attended Saint Joseph Academy in Cleveland, Ohio (Class of 1979). She graduated from Georgetown University in 1983 and earned a master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 1984. In 1989–90, Jordan was awarded a Nieman Fellowship by Harvard University.
For a year at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, she studied W. B. Yeats and other Irish poets. She was given her first job in the newspaper business by Irish author and editor Tim Pat Coogan, who hired her to write a column in The Irish Press. She enrolled in Japanese language classes at Georgetown University before moving to Tokyo for four years and studied Spanish on a post-graduate fellowship at Stanford University before moving to Mexico for five years.
In 2018, Jordan was a national correspondent for the Washington Post writing about politics and the Trump administration and appearing on ABC, BBC, and other TV networks. She covered the 2016 campaign, writing in-depth political stories and profiles.
Jordan was also the founding editor and moderator for Washington Post Live, which hosted forums including "The 40th Anniversary of Watergate" in June 2012 that featured key Watergate figures including former White House counsel John Dean, Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee, and reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. It was held at the Watergate hotel.
She has interviewed many newsmakers all over the world including singer and songwriter Paul McCartney, Colombian novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Benjamin Arellano Felix, one of Mexico's most notorious drug kingpins.
She has written extensively about injustices and discrimination against women including the exceedingly low conviction rate of rape in Britain and the many girls in India denied schooling solely because they were not born male.
Jordan and Sullivan won the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting for their Post series on the "horrific conditions in Mexico's criminal justice system and how they affect the daily lives of people," as the Pulitzer Board described. https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/kevi...
Along with four Post photographers, Jordan and Sullivan were also finalists for the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting for their series of stories on the difficulties women face around the world. The Pulitzer jury called the series a "sensitive examination of how females in the developing world are often oppressed from birth to death, a reporting project marked by indelible portraits of women and girls and enhanced by multimedia presentations." https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/staf...
Jordan has also won numerous other awards including the George Polk Award, and accolades from the Overseas Press Club of America and the Society of Professional Journalists.
In 2016, Jordan was the winner of the Washington Post’s Eugene Meyer Award for her exceptional contribution.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
September 1, 2016
The story of Mother Antonia deserves 6 stars. The writing that told it deserves 2.5 stars. This is the story of a Beverly Hills socialite, twice divorced mother of five who left everything behind to serve the despised criminals in deplorable conditions in a Tijuana prison. Her compassion for every person, infectious joy, tireless service, ability to reconcile enemies and passionate concern for the abused and neglected is quite an inspiration. This woman is certainly a saint.
June 25, 2009
Well, this was a pleasant surprise. This woman has had an incredible journey. Raised in an affluent Beverly Hills family,and well off herself, later in life she found herself searching for a deeper meaning to her existence. She had gone through two failed marriages and had seven kids. Her father had instilled in her an affinity for helping the poor. When she was 50 (and her kids were grown) she became a Catholic nun and moved into one of Mexico's worst(and nightmarish) prisons to help the inmates and their families. She had already been volunteering her services on a part time basis before deciding to make it her life's work, so she knew what she was getting into. She chose to live in a cell right along side the other inmates. She stepped in between guards and prisoners during riots. She ministered to the richest drug dealers and the poorest innocent inmates. She forgave, and ministered to, the worst murderers (some of whom murdered her friends) while at the same time comforting the victims families. She stood up to guards when they were brutally beating prisoners. She would get down on her knees and beg them to stop and they usually did stop. She walked straight through bullets flying; the inmates and guards would drop their weapons upon seeing her. It was interesting reading what her children thought of her decision to live this life. You would expect they would not approve. But they felt this was who their mother was meant to be and that it made perfect sense. This is a story of how God can turn bad into good when you possess sincerity and a heart that only wants to put God before others and do His will and not your own.
Mother Antonia is still alive. And I believe is still living in the prison. I need to do a little more internet research to find out her whereabouts. She was asked to create an order of nuns so that her work will continue. Here is info from the nuns' website--
The Eudist Servants Of The Eleventh Hour is a new branch, a twig sprouting on the 400 year-old tree of the extended spiritual family of St. John Eudes, whose strong branches include the Congregation Of The Sisters Of Our Lady Of Charity, our Eudist sisters, and the Congregation Of Jesus And Mary, our Eudist priests. Both of these orders were founded by Saint John Eudes, close friend of Saint Vincent de Paul, in the early 17th century. The Eudist Servants Of The Eleventh Hour is an association of the faithful whose members are sisters who are mature women who love Jesus and want to follow Him by serving the poor and the needy. The Eleventh Hour refers to the scripture where Jesus calls the last, and signifies that the community is for older women, generally between the ages of forty five and sixty five. The reference to St. John Eudes is recognition that the community is part of the Eudist Congregation, and it is also in honor of St. John Eudes spirituality. In 2003 the Eudist Servants Of The Eleventh Hour community was formally accepted by Bishop Rafael Romo Munoz of Tijuana, Mexico.The community's mission is to minister to the poor and the needy, to bring to them the love of Jesus Christ. To accomplish this members must, in their hearts and in their lives, bear the pain of the poor, the imprisoned, the sick, the rejected, the forgotten and the abandoned children of God. Members of the community serve, with the permission of the local Bishop, in a variety of locations in Mexico and the United States, and perform a variety of services. Mother Antonia Brenner, the Servants founder and current superior of the community, serves by ministering to prisoners and guards at a prison in Tijuana, Mexico. Several other sisters work alongside her in Tijuana. Sister Kathleen serves her ministry in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, Louisiana as a prison chaplain. Still another Servant, Sister Lillian, serves in her home area of Texas, tending to the elderly in nursing homes.
The Servants operate a ministry center, Casa Campos de San Miguel, located just three blocks from the La Mesa penitentiary. The Casa is a refuge for women leaving prison and for women visiting incarcerated family in the nearby prison, and also for women and children who have come to Tijuana for treatment for cancer. The sisters also have a convent nearby, Corazon de Maria, which serves as the community headquarters and is also a residence for some of the sisters in Tijuana. Corazon de Maria is also used as the community’s house of formation. Still other sisters and associates live in the United States and commute daily to Tijuana to visit area hospitals and comfort patients and their families.
All of the sisters are self-supporting, both economically and with their own health care. Vows are taken for a one year period and then renewed annually, if mutually agreeable.
http://eudistservants.org/site/index.php
Mother Antonia is still alive. And I believe is still living in the prison. I need to do a little more internet research to find out her whereabouts. She was asked to create an order of nuns so that her work will continue. Here is info from the nuns' website--
The Eudist Servants Of The Eleventh Hour is a new branch, a twig sprouting on the 400 year-old tree of the extended spiritual family of St. John Eudes, whose strong branches include the Congregation Of The Sisters Of Our Lady Of Charity, our Eudist sisters, and the Congregation Of Jesus And Mary, our Eudist priests. Both of these orders were founded by Saint John Eudes, close friend of Saint Vincent de Paul, in the early 17th century. The Eudist Servants Of The Eleventh Hour is an association of the faithful whose members are sisters who are mature women who love Jesus and want to follow Him by serving the poor and the needy. The Eleventh Hour refers to the scripture where Jesus calls the last, and signifies that the community is for older women, generally between the ages of forty five and sixty five. The reference to St. John Eudes is recognition that the community is part of the Eudist Congregation, and it is also in honor of St. John Eudes spirituality. In 2003 the Eudist Servants Of The Eleventh Hour community was formally accepted by Bishop Rafael Romo Munoz of Tijuana, Mexico.The community's mission is to minister to the poor and the needy, to bring to them the love of Jesus Christ. To accomplish this members must, in their hearts and in their lives, bear the pain of the poor, the imprisoned, the sick, the rejected, the forgotten and the abandoned children of God. Members of the community serve, with the permission of the local Bishop, in a variety of locations in Mexico and the United States, and perform a variety of services. Mother Antonia Brenner, the Servants founder and current superior of the community, serves by ministering to prisoners and guards at a prison in Tijuana, Mexico. Several other sisters work alongside her in Tijuana. Sister Kathleen serves her ministry in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, Louisiana as a prison chaplain. Still another Servant, Sister Lillian, serves in her home area of Texas, tending to the elderly in nursing homes.
The Servants operate a ministry center, Casa Campos de San Miguel, located just three blocks from the La Mesa penitentiary. The Casa is a refuge for women leaving prison and for women visiting incarcerated family in the nearby prison, and also for women and children who have come to Tijuana for treatment for cancer. The sisters also have a convent nearby, Corazon de Maria, which serves as the community headquarters and is also a residence for some of the sisters in Tijuana. Corazon de Maria is also used as the community’s house of formation. Still other sisters and associates live in the United States and commute daily to Tijuana to visit area hospitals and comfort patients and their families.
All of the sisters are self-supporting, both economically and with their own health care. Vows are taken for a one year period and then renewed annually, if mutually agreeable.
http://eudistservants.org/site/index.php
January 20, 2014
I had the opportunity to speak with Mother Antonia several times over the phone in the year or two before she died. Even by phone, she exuded peace, kindness, and love to the extreme. I had heard a bit about her life at the time and that a book had been written about her so, because the sound of her voice made such an impression on me, I was eager to learn more about her. The writing style and narration of the book were okay, but not great. I am still glad I read it and am inspired by her life's work.
September 9, 2019
‘She told us about poor people locked up for years for stealing food, about the famous drug dealers whose bullet-blasted bodies she had washed and dressed for burial. We listened, and we were hooked. Together, we have been interviewing people as journalists for more than forty years. We have interviewed presidents and rock stars, survivors of typhoons in India, and people tortured by the Taliban in Afghanistan. We had never heard a story quite like hers, a story of such powerful goodness. This was a tale that needed telling’
‘She shuffles her feet carefully along the prison’s cement floor, her outstretched hands feeling the way along the walls. Finding the stairway leading up, she realizes she is not alone in the blackness. The men have stayed with her. She doesn’t know if there are five or fifty, but she feels them and hears them all around her like a human shield. She is the closest thing to heaven most of them have ever seen, this woman who brings them pillows and pure white bandages, who keeps the guards from beating them, who never stops hugging them and telling them they are loved. They call her Mother. And they are going to take a bullet rather than have La Madre die tonight.’
‘Over the years, inmates have sometimes lied to her, stolen from her, even swiped her cell phone, but she doesn’t let it get her down. She sums up her philosophy this way: “Live within the day. Forget about yesterday; it’s over. Take everything bad and negative, and toss it away. Learn to step out from what is holding you back. To hate people will not change anything; to love them will.” ‘
‘She shuffles her feet carefully along the prison’s cement floor, her outstretched hands feeling the way along the walls. Finding the stairway leading up, she realizes she is not alone in the blackness. The men have stayed with her. She doesn’t know if there are five or fifty, but she feels them and hears them all around her like a human shield. She is the closest thing to heaven most of them have ever seen, this woman who brings them pillows and pure white bandages, who keeps the guards from beating them, who never stops hugging them and telling them they are loved. They call her Mother. And they are going to take a bullet rather than have La Madre die tonight.’
‘Over the years, inmates have sometimes lied to her, stolen from her, even swiped her cell phone, but she doesn’t let it get her down. She sums up her philosophy this way: “Live within the day. Forget about yesterday; it’s over. Take everything bad and negative, and toss it away. Learn to step out from what is holding you back. To hate people will not change anything; to love them will.” ‘
October 3, 2009
I really enjoyed this book. It was especially pertinent to me since I read it as we left Mexico. This is a story about a woman who, after having raised 7 children, decides to devote her life to serving prisoners in Tijuana's largest prison. She actually moved in there and lives in a cell. She showed loved to everyone at the prison from the prison guards who were brutally beating the inmates, to the inmates themselves who sometimes just needed someone to listen to the victims who needed to be able to forgive. I loved her message of trying to find good in everyone--drug dealers and murderers included--as well as the message that forgiving frees us and allows us to live our lives unencumbered by stifling emotional chains that can kill the soul.
The book ended with the idea that anyone can make a difference in the lives of others, "One day as she was making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to take to prisoners, she paused with a puzzled look on her face.
'You know,' she said, 'people think what I do is so extraordinary. But look at me, what am I doing? Anyone can do it. There are so many things people can do. It doesn't have to be enormous. It's the little things. Anyone can make a sandwhich.'"
The book ended with the idea that anyone can make a difference in the lives of others, "One day as she was making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to take to prisoners, she paused with a puzzled look on her face.
'You know,' she said, 'people think what I do is so extraordinary. But look at me, what am I doing? Anyone can do it. There are so many things people can do. It doesn't have to be enormous. It's the little things. Anyone can make a sandwhich.'"
January 15, 2019
Her biography is so engrossing I read the first 158 pages before I realized it was 2:30 in the morning and I was exhausted. I resented having to stop reading to go to sleep.
But the writing itself is merely a vehicle for her story. And perhaps the writing should be underwhelming so the words do not eclipse the woman.
https://medium.com/@heathermedwards/t...
But the writing itself is merely a vehicle for her story. And perhaps the writing should be underwhelming so the words do not eclipse the woman.
https://medium.com/@heathermedwards/t...
April 10, 2023
Writing style: bad
Content: amazing
Definitely worth reading. This woman gave so much to the world and her life is inspiring.
Content: amazing
Definitely worth reading. This woman gave so much to the world and her life is inspiring.
January 8, 2014
I first heard about Mother Antonia in a New York Times article written about her shortly after her death in October 2013...Her story seemed completely unreal. A twice-divorced Catholic mother of seven from Beverly Hills, California, feels called to become a nun and serve the poor. When none of the religious communities will accept her because of her marital history and her age, she sews her own habit, moves to Mexico, plants herself in a cell in one of the most notorious prisons, and begins loving and serving those around her. Her presence and example prompt changes in prison administrators and guards as well as the prisoners and their families. Guards treat inmates with more dignity. Prison riots simply stop when she walks in to harm's way. People find hope again when a single person shows them kindness. Incredibly far-fetched, isn't it?
Mother Antonia might be one of the most real people who's ever lived.
Despite a fairly privileged upbringing, the woman born as Mary Clarke was aware of the poor and disadvantaged from a young age and often felt "a gnawing feeling inside her, a sense that there were important things she needed to do." In addition to raising her seven children, she threw herself into charity work, organizing contributions to be sent to war-torn Korea, running Christmas parties at children's hospitals, and opening her home to orphans on holidays. But after her second divorce, it just wasn't enough.
She had been visiting the La Mesa prison in Tijuana, Mexico, regularly for several years and "every time she left, she had the nagging feeling she was letting someone down, leaving behind someone who needed her." The prison warden had offered to let her stay overnight and so, after much prayer and thought and "wrestl[ing] with the idea" she decided to make the leap. Despite the fact that no religious order would accept her, she put on a homemade habit and moved to La Mesa. Mary Jordan and Kevin Sullivan report, "She blazed her own trail...She believed down to her toes that God had chosen this life for her and that He had been shouting His plan to her for years."
To read the rest of this review, visit Build Enough Bookshelves.
Mother Antonia might be one of the most real people who's ever lived.
Despite a fairly privileged upbringing, the woman born as Mary Clarke was aware of the poor and disadvantaged from a young age and often felt "a gnawing feeling inside her, a sense that there were important things she needed to do." In addition to raising her seven children, she threw herself into charity work, organizing contributions to be sent to war-torn Korea, running Christmas parties at children's hospitals, and opening her home to orphans on holidays. But after her second divorce, it just wasn't enough.
She had been visiting the La Mesa prison in Tijuana, Mexico, regularly for several years and "every time she left, she had the nagging feeling she was letting someone down, leaving behind someone who needed her." The prison warden had offered to let her stay overnight and so, after much prayer and thought and "wrestl[ing] with the idea" she decided to make the leap. Despite the fact that no religious order would accept her, she put on a homemade habit and moved to La Mesa. Mary Jordan and Kevin Sullivan report, "She blazed her own trail...She believed down to her toes that God had chosen this life for her and that He had been shouting His plan to her for years."
To read the rest of this review, visit Build Enough Bookshelves.
November 22, 2022
Her age, her health, her background was never a factor in her latter year at this place. She loved people, and they knew it. She never felt those acts of kindness were extraordinary, she just did it one thing at a time, and believed anyone could do this. Maybe, but not many would do this because another persons hardship more than our own requires selflessness. If she didn't have immediate access to what the person needed, she'd find it. I think one of the things that touched me the most was when someone said to her "you love the unlovable" to which she replied "I love those who others think are unlovable". She lived a life that screamed that everyone is worthy of care whether or not they appear to deserve or earn that care. People are of value and worth, and when you are God's ambassador then provision, protection, and peace will always be there as needed
June 26, 2019
Loved this book. Not a dull moment in it: someone is always doing something - living life in a prison right alongside the prisoners … guess it makes sense that there should never be a dull moment.
In addition to the action - including caring-in-action - this book is inspiring, hopeful, heartfelt and heart-warming, and though it's got some advice, I never felt preached to or bored with endless sermons. Getting a look at Sister Antonia's life (not all of her proud or outstanding moments, either, but rough spots, too, where she feels she made mistakes just like we all do) makes one wonder what it is he or she might be able to do to help someone, somewhere and how great that might feel to give someone something that's needed and somehow improve a life.
In addition to the action - including caring-in-action - this book is inspiring, hopeful, heartfelt and heart-warming, and though it's got some advice, I never felt preached to or bored with endless sermons. Getting a look at Sister Antonia's life (not all of her proud or outstanding moments, either, but rough spots, too, where she feels she made mistakes just like we all do) makes one wonder what it is he or she might be able to do to help someone, somewhere and how great that might feel to give someone something that's needed and somehow improve a life.
July 20, 2014
Reading this for my Catholic women's book club. An astounding story and very inspirational thus far.
FINAL
Interesting and inspirational. Definitely did a good job of making me look at my own life and not complain about the sacrifices I make or the undertakings I have going on for God. Could've been a bit more insightful into Mother Antonia's internal state. We are given a lot of actions but not so many circumstances where we see her own doubts, growth, or development once she is in full swing.
That said, I definitely can recommend it. And it's a quick read.
FINAL
Interesting and inspirational. Definitely did a good job of making me look at my own life and not complain about the sacrifices I make or the undertakings I have going on for God. Could've been a bit more insightful into Mother Antonia's internal state. We are given a lot of actions but not so many circumstances where we see her own doubts, growth, or development once she is in full swing.
That said, I definitely can recommend it. And it's a quick read.
November 23, 2016
This is one of those books that you finish and think on for another month or so. I am still processing the levels of surrender, service, patience and humility this woman showed to drug dealers and murderers and corrupt cops and judges.
She allowed and asked other people to help her in her ministry and opened her prisoners up to incredible opportunities. If our prison systems worked with this kind of rehabilitation in mind, I know our economy, justice system and communities would be much better off. Loved, loved, loved this book.
She allowed and asked other people to help her in her ministry and opened her prisoners up to incredible opportunities. If our prison systems worked with this kind of rehabilitation in mind, I know our economy, justice system and communities would be much better off. Loved, loved, loved this book.
April 25, 2013
I am probably not the best person to rate this book. I found it interesting at first, and I believe Sister Antonia was a unbelivably wonderful, saintly woman. However, when I got to page 175 I was getting bored with all the stories about the drug cartel etc. I started scanning pages until the last chapter, which I did read, to finish the book.
May 16, 2023
I do wish it had been written but Mother Antonia herself but the authors did well. As someone who works in a prison in the United States, I will think of these stark contrasts forever. As a Catholic woman, I will think of Mother’s unending love forever. I have been telling everyone I know about this book since I picked it up and will likely continue to do so.
March 10, 2011
Decent story,but poorly written. Very flat. It read as a lists of accomplishments, with very little emotion.
November 9, 2021
Another book finished with my friend.
What an extraordinary woman Mother Antonia was. I’m surprised I hadn’t heard of her before.
This book is well worth the read if you need some inspiration.
What an extraordinary woman Mother Antonia was. I’m surprised I hadn’t heard of her before.
This book is well worth the read if you need some inspiration.
November 9, 2021
This is a remarkable biography of a very inspiring woman. She lived love, forgiveness, and hope.
February 19, 2019
This book was given to me by a friend to read and it is one of those life changing books that stay with you for a lifetime.
This is the story of Mother Antonia as told by her family, friends and herself. She spent the later years of her life ministering and living at a prison in Tijuana, Mexico. She selflessly loved on both prisoners and guards at the facility. She met the physical needs of the people there and also the emotional and spiritual needs they didn't realize they had. She was not perfect and was well aware of her need for God to be present in her work.
This book is extremely moving with personal stories of those she helped and of her own life. I found myself in tears often and moved by the compassion and humility she was able to show to people that no one else would have even spoken to. Not very many people are able to find and work in their hearts calling, but Mother Antonia was one person who was. She sacrificed greatly and did not even see it as a sacrifice. At the same time she paved the way for other people to help however they were able. This is well worth the read and may very well end up changing you.
This is the story of Mother Antonia as told by her family, friends and herself. She spent the later years of her life ministering and living at a prison in Tijuana, Mexico. She selflessly loved on both prisoners and guards at the facility. She met the physical needs of the people there and also the emotional and spiritual needs they didn't realize they had. She was not perfect and was well aware of her need for God to be present in her work.
This book is extremely moving with personal stories of those she helped and of her own life. I found myself in tears often and moved by the compassion and humility she was able to show to people that no one else would have even spoken to. Not very many people are able to find and work in their hearts calling, but Mother Antonia was one person who was. She sacrificed greatly and did not even see it as a sacrifice. At the same time she paved the way for other people to help however they were able. This is well worth the read and may very well end up changing you.
January 14, 2009
This book has had an incredible impact on me. It is not a literary standout, but the story of Mother Antonia is phenomenal and inspirational. A twice-divorced, mother of seven leaves her ultra-comfortable life in Beverly Hills to live in La Mesa prison in Tiajuana, Mexico and minister to the inmates there. The love and grace which she pours out to everyone with whom she comes into contact is astounding. She has no regard for their guilt or innocence, because she is not there to judge them but to serve them. She is the very picture of Christ's love in action.
The other encouragement I took from this book was the fact that Mother Antonia was 50 when she decided to move into La Mesa, and she is in her 80s today and is still living there! It makes me realize that our lives can change direction or focus at any time, and we can still be productive servants at any time or stage of our lives.
So . . . it looks like the plans for retirement in Florida have been tossed out the window. La Mesa, anyone????
The other encouragement I took from this book was the fact that Mother Antonia was 50 when she decided to move into La Mesa, and she is in her 80s today and is still living there! It makes me realize that our lives can change direction or focus at any time, and we can still be productive servants at any time or stage of our lives.
So . . . it looks like the plans for retirement in Florida have been tossed out the window. La Mesa, anyone????
February 12, 2008
My mom bought me this book for Christmas and at first I was not sure what to think of it or how I would relate to it but I am so happy she got it for me because I was so moved by this womens incredible story of sacrifice and true charity. Whether you are of the catholic faith or not this book is still so moving on so many levels and after you finish reading it you will think about your life and what you are doing to help those around you. This incredible women left everything she had ever known to spend her life willingly living inside a Mexican prison to help the inmates and show them the pure love of Christ. This women hugged convicted murderers and brought grown men to tears with her unbelievable love and compassion. Its an incredible story that is very beautiful and emotional. Everyone needs to read this book!
July 6, 2016
A most excellent book. You MUST read this fascinating, true life story!
This story is one which will shock you, amaze you, and still uplift you. It's happening in our lifetime, and the names, events, and places you will remember from reading about them in the news.
The truly inspirational story of a woman who had lived the good life in trendy, affluent southern California, children, and a thriving business - and gave it all up to serve, and bring God's love, to the poor, helpless and forgotten poor in prison in Tijuana, Mexico.
Are you of a certain age and wondering if your life matters, now that you're retired or thinking about it? Mother Antonia's story will give you a whole new point of view! I couldn't put this book down - and now I can't wait to get busy on MY next chapter.....you'll see what I mean when you read this unbelievable (yet true!) story!
This story is one which will shock you, amaze you, and still uplift you. It's happening in our lifetime, and the names, events, and places you will remember from reading about them in the news.
The truly inspirational story of a woman who had lived the good life in trendy, affluent southern California, children, and a thriving business - and gave it all up to serve, and bring God's love, to the poor, helpless and forgotten poor in prison in Tijuana, Mexico.
Are you of a certain age and wondering if your life matters, now that you're retired or thinking about it? Mother Antonia's story will give you a whole new point of view! I couldn't put this book down - and now I can't wait to get busy on MY next chapter.....you'll see what I mean when you read this unbelievable (yet true!) story!
May 19, 2009
An absolutely amazing true story about a woman born into riches in Beverley Hills, who goes through two divorces, has eight children, and after raising them herself becomes involved in charity work for a Tijuana prison. She becomes so touched by the conditions that she feels called to become a nun. When she is not accepted by any of the convents because of her age, she consults several priests, and answers her calling, making up her own vows and heading to Mexico in a homemade veil. This book tells of the horrible conditions in Mexico, the violent fights between drug lords, the brutal treatment of the destitute who end up in jail, and one woman's eternally loving outlook that transforms everyone she meets. Awesome!
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October 22, 2011It started out pretty good, but then I got a little discouraged when she describes how she pretty much discards her 7 children to do the charity works she feels she's "called" to do. In my opinion her priorites were mixed up. Her youngest child then 11 years old went to live with her ex-husband so that she could move into the jail in Tijuana. The authors interview her kids and one of her daughters says that she knew the kids came in second. Sad day!
I slowed down my reading after that and then just plunged through it to get finished. Too much about the terrible people she lived among and their crimes. Extraordinary that someone would give up their life like that, but sad that she did it at the price of her children.
I slowed down my reading after that and then just plunged through it to get finished. Too much about the terrible people she lived among and their crimes. Extraordinary that someone would give up their life like that, but sad that she did it at the price of her children.
January 24, 2013
When I saw this book I had totally picked it randomly then once I started to read it I was like this is an amazing book. It tells about a young woman who is a mother and a wife, she passes through hard ships like divorces and having to live in poverty once she marries her last husband everything was pure luxury and she had everything she could wish for except for happiness. Her marriage was really falling apart and to escape that sadness and anger she would help the poor in Mexico. She would go around collecting donations and would take them to where they were mostly needed. Once she did that she realizes that it made her happy and that it was her passion. That's how she became mother Antonia. This is an amazing book worth reading.
September 30, 2014
The remarkable story of a twice divorced woman who wanted to serve others. She gave up her comfortable life in Beverly Hills and moved in to a jail in Tijuana to provide comfort, not only physically, but spiritually to guards, inmates, and family members. She put her life at risk almost daily and made surroundings better for those who were there. Mostly, she made it better by breaking the tension and inviting love and compassion into the atmosphere, dissolving riots, anger, and depression.
She is a wonderful example of a true follower of Christ. A person who so emulates it, that you are drawn to her like a magnet. How she lights up the room and faces of those who are so miserable is such a credit to her diligence in following The One.
Inspiring!
She is a wonderful example of a true follower of Christ. A person who so emulates it, that you are drawn to her like a magnet. How she lights up the room and faces of those who are so miserable is such a credit to her diligence in following The One.
Inspiring!
July 14, 2016
This was a very interesting biography of an individual who found a path in life which for most would seem impossible if not unbelievable. I was not a huge fan of the journalistic style in which it was written, however it carried the information with enough emotional content and as a result avoided seeming like a long article. If you ever need to be reminded why feeling sorry for your lot in life is both a waste of time and energy, then this is the read that will set you straight. Within a society that lavishes praise and fortunes on sports activities, song contests, and entertainment, it is important to visit the world where suffering and hardship place you firmly back into reality. There is no excuse for our lack of compassion and discovering how to find it is within these pages.
April 3, 2009
"Prison Angel" is the biography of a divorced mother of seven who, in middle-age, decides to become a nun and follow her call to La Mesa prison in Juarez, Mexico. Although Jordan & Sullivan take the first several chapters to detail Mother Antonia's life before she began working at La Mesa, including her two divorces, the book is more a hagiography than a biography. Not that I minded. Jordan & Sullivan try to show that Mother Antonia is human, imperfect. Nevertheless, her goodness, tenacity, and faith make her imperfections forgettable and make her a living saint. With Mexico in the news so much lately, I often wonder what the now 80-something nun thinks of what is happening.
March 10, 2009
Story about a woman who leaves her comfortable life to live in a Mexican prison cell. While there she tends to the inmates, guards and the surrounding community. She treats everyone with equal respect and love, regardless of their crime or station in life. when asked how she could love a group of men arrested for brutally murdering a family, she said: ""I knew that once I choose who I love and who I don't, I am no longer God's servant."" Her love wasn't just in words or prayer, it was always through joyful action and service. Truly an inspiration for those who have any interest in serving others.
November 1, 2010
“Prison Angel”, tells the life of a divorced mother of seven who decides to become a nun and follow her call to La Mesa prison in Juarez, Mexico. Her goodness, tenacity, and faith condones her imperfections and makes her much more of a living saint. Giving up her comfortable world in suburban Los Angeles, mother Antonia practically sacrifices her life for the inmates in the Mexican prison showing them the pure love of Christ. Whether you are a believer or not, this book is very thought provoking and it moves you in so many levels that you would not even understand without reading it yourself. So go ahead and get a copy of your own and be prepared to be moved.
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