 “Dead Man Walking” is a very powerful film.

What feelings and/or reactions did

 It is a significant piece of work that exposes the injustice of the death penalty,
promotes the alternative course of forgiveness and compassion, and
demonstrates that hatred is the worst form of incarceration.

 What scenes and images in the film stand out for you? What meanings do these
have for you?
 In the first part of movie I saw a rosary in the hand , for it symbolizes in huge
conviction to our almighty and believed when a can’t resolved a specific problem
let God make a solution.

 How did the film affect you?

About the Film

 What do you think of Sister Helen’s attempt to minister to both sides - to the
murderer and to the families of the murder victims?
 What changes did you see taking place in Matthew Poncelot during the film?
What brought about these changes?
 What new information about the death penalty did you learn from viewing this
film?
 What new understandings about the experiences and needs of murder victims’
families did you gain from viewing the film?
 What new understandings about the experiences and needs of the families of
those on death row did you gain from viewing the film?
 Sister Helen’s family presents the argument that her community of faith would
benefit more if she were to help “honest” people. Do you agree?
 How can serving those on death row or their families benefit your community of
faith?

About the Issues Raised

 How were your own beliefs regarding capital punishment affected by watching
this film?
 Did you find yourself supporting Matthew Poncelot’s execution, or hoping that his
life would be spared?
 Early in Matthew’s relationship with Sister Helen, he tells her that he didn’t kill
anybody, but ultimately he confesses his real involvement in the crime. If
 Matthew’s original story to Helen had been true - that he had been present and
had participated in the crime by threatening the two young people but had not
killed anyone - how would that affect your view of whether he should live or die?
 We are not told of alternatives to the death penalty in Louisiana, but if you knew
that the alternative punishment was life imprisonment with no possibility of
parole, would you support the death penalty for Matthew Poncelot or the
alternative? Why?
 Do you believe victims’ families should have a role or a voice in determining the
sentence in a capital case? Should they have a role in the clemency process?
Why or why not?
 How does healing come to families grieving the loss of a murdered child? How
can faith communities help promote healing?
 How does healing occur for the family members of someone convicted of a
capital crime, or executed by the state? What is our role in assisting with their
healing?
 Many death penalty abolitionists believe that capital punishment denies the
humanity of the individual and the possibility of rehabilitation. How do you feel
about a convicted murderer’s capacity for rehabilitation?

In 1982, Sister Helen Prejean, a Catholic nun, started corresponding with a death row
inmate in Angola Prison in Louisiana. The experience changed the direction of her
ministry and propelled her into activism against the death penalty. Tim Robbins has
taken material from her book Dead Man Walking and reshaped it into one of the most
inspiring and positive portraits of Christian ministry ever put on film. Susan Saradon won
an Academy Award for her luminous portrait of Sister Helen Prejean.

Dead Man Walking (1995) presents a rounded and riveting look at the life and work of
this nun who demonstrates the spiritual practices of listening, forgiveness, and
compassion with a death row prisoner and with the parents of his victims. This
unforgettable film exposes the cruelty of death by lethal injection and offers instead an
alternate path based on love. It also shows that hate is the worst prison of all.

1. THE SPIRITUAL LIFE

"The spiritual life," according to Joan Chittister, "is not achieved by denying one part of
life for the sake of another. The spiritual life is achieved only by listening to all of life and
learning to respond to each of its dimensions wholly and with integrity."
2. FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS

In response to a question by the parents of the slain girl as to why she's ministering to
Matthew Poncelet, Sister Helen says, "I'm just trying to follow the example of Jesus who
said that every person is worth more than their worst act."

3. HATRED

In Real Love, Theodore Isaac Rubin writes, "Hate is chronic, deep, abiding hostility that
goes on and on spilling over and polluting all aspects of life. It is corrosive to self. It
blocks and destroys all other feelings, especially love. It contributes to bitterness and
cynicism."

4. HOLY LISTENING

The Quaker writer Douglas V. Steere has written, "Holy listening — to 'listen' another's
soul into life, into a condition of disclosure and discovery, may be almost the greatest
service that any human being ever performs for another."

5. YOU ARE A SON OF GOD

After Matthew Poncelet takes responsibility for murder and rape, Sister Helen says to
him: "You have dignity now, nobody can ever take that from you. You are a son of God.

es and Visions Feature by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

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If you want to see the brave, look at those who can forgive. If you want to see the
heroic, look at those who can love in return for hatred.

— Bhagavad Gita
Dead Man Walking

In 1982, Sister Helen Prejean, a Catholic nun, started corresponding with a death row
inmate in Angola Prison in Louisiana. The experience changed the direction of her
ministry and propelled her into activism against the death penalty. Tim Robbins has
taken material from her book Dead Man Walking and reshaped it into one of the most
inspiring and positive portraits of Christian ministry ever put on film. Susan Saradon won
an Academy Award for her luminous portrait of Sister Helen Prejean.

Dead Man Walking (1995) presents a rounded and riveting look at the life and work of
this nun who demonstrates the spiritual practices of listening, forgiveness, and
compassion with a death row prisoner and with the parents of his victims. This
unforgettable film exposes the cruelty of death by lethal injection and offers instead an
alternate path based on love. It also shows that hate is the worst prison of all.

This film runs 122 minutes and is rated R for a depiction of rape and murder. For a
review of the film and a plot synopsis, click here.

1. THE SPIRITUAL LIFE

"The spiritual life," according to Joan Chittister, "is not achieved by denying one part of
life for the sake of another. The spiritual life is achieved only by listening to all of life and
learning to respond to each of its dimensions wholly and with integrity."

What character qualities make Sister Helen Prejean such a helpful spiritual advisor?

Discuss the different perception of the spiritual life held by Sister Helen and her co-
workers and the Catholic prison chaplain. What is your definition of the spiritual life?

Dead Man Walking

In response to a question by the parents of the slain girl as to why she's ministering to
Matthew Poncelet, Sister Helen says, "I'm just trying to follow the example of Jesus who
said that every person is worth more than their worst act."

How would you describe Sister Helen's vision of Jesus Christ and his importance in her
life and ministry?

Jesus was a model of the compassionate person. He was also an executed prisoner
and a victim. Which of these -- and other attributes -- of Jesus are most meaningful to
you?

3. HATRED

In Real Love, Theodore Isaac Rubin writes, "Hate is chronic, deep, abiding hostility that
goes on and on spilling over and polluting all aspects of life. It is corrosive to self. It
blocks and destroys all other feelings, especially love. It contributes to bitterness and
cynicism."

Throughout this drama, Sister Helen is trying to find a way out of hate. What forces of
hate in other people resist her efforts?

Talk about the death penalty as a vehicle of hate, bitterness, and cynicism. Why do you
think this form of legally mandated murder so popular with the American public?

Dead Man Walking

4. HOLY LISTENING

The Quaker writer Douglas V. Steere has written, "Holy listening — to 'listen' another's
soul into life, into a condition of disclosure and discovery, may be almost the greatest
service that any human being ever performs for another."

Why does Sister Helen go to the families of the victims? What are their special
concerns? What does she learn from them?
How do you rate yourself as a listener? Who has taught you the most about the spiritual
dimensions of being present with another person?

5. YOU ARE A SON OF GOD

After Matthew Poncelet takes responsibility for murder and rape, Sister Helen says to
him: "You have dignity now, nobody can ever take that from you. You are a son of God."

What is Poncelet's response to being called a son of God? What does Sister Jean imply
when she says this to him?

Spin out what it means to you to be a son or daughter of God. Talk about your ideas
about being created in the image of God or the presence of the divine within you.

Dead Man Walking

6. THE FACE OF LOVE

Sister Jean's final words to Matthew Poncelet are: "I want the last thing you see in this
world to be the face of love. So you look at me when they do this thing. I'll be the face of
love for you."

7. FORGIVENESS

In her book Dead Man Walking, Sister Helen writes: "Forgiveness is never going to be
easy. Each day it must be prayed for and struggled for and won."

Sister Helen Prejean (Susan Sarandon) is a Catholic nun who exemplifies the
compassion of Jesus in her work with death row prisoners. While teaching in a
Louisiana ghetto, she begins corresponding with Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn), who
has been sentenced to death for the brutal murders of two teenage lovers. It takes all of
Sister Helen's patience to stomach this young man's anger, racial hatred, and callous
disregard of the suffering he has brought into the lives of others. At the same time, she
is shocked by the grim realities of prison life and the extent of Pocelet's isolation and
loneliness.

When all his legal appeals fail, Sister Helen agrees to be his spiritual advisor during the
remaining days of his life. Meeting the parents of the slain teenagers in court, she
eventually visits them and listens to their accounts of grief, rage, and loss.

During her vigil with Poncelet during his last hours on earth, Sister Jean is taken aback
by his torment and the chilly aloofness of prison officials who won't allow him to hug his
mother or listen to music. She also is forced to listen to arguments on the moral
rightness of capital punishment from a Catholic prison chaplain and several guards.

Meanwhile, Sister Helen has a salutary effect upon Matthew, helping him to take
responsibility for his acts and to seek forgiveness. In the anguished minutes before this
"dead man" walks to the execution chamber, she assures him that "Christ is here." In
the powerful scene when he is killed by lethal injection, she never wavers in her role as
the emissary of God's love.

Dead Man Walking presents a rounded and riveting look at the life and work of this
extraordinary Catholic nun. Her experience of working with a death row inmate changed
the direction of her vocation. Director Tim Robbins has taken the material from her book
and reshaped it into one of the most inspiring and positive portraits of Christian ministry
ever put on film. Susan Sarandon justifiably won an Academy Award for her luminous
portrayal of this nun,.

This important and unforgettable film exposes the cruelty of death by lethal injection and
offers instead an alternate path based on compassion and forgiveness. It also shows
that hate is the worst prison of all.