For 12 years Sister of Mercy Natalie Rossi has been a full-time chaplain at the State Correctional Institution for Women outside Erie, Pa., a minimum-security facility primarily for women nearing release. With chaplains from other faiths she coordinates programs, supervises volunteers and spiritual activities, and handles paperwork. She also makes daily visits to women in the prison infirmary and conducts pastoral counseling sessions in her office.

“My life is energized by my ministry to women in prison, a ministry of spirituality and creativity,” Sister Rossi says. “I see the women thirsting for the truth and unfolding their inner goodness. I see their eyes wanting to believe, to hope that they can make better choices; that they can begin to live out the truth of who they are: daughters of a loving God created in God’s image.

“I believe religious life is a ‘call’ as is every walk of life. One needs to search one’s inner being to listen to one’s gut. One needs to pray for guidance and wisdom for where God is leading—to listen to the promptings of the Spirit within. God does not care what we do or where we are, but wants us to begin to live out the truth of who we are.”