Anti-Death Penalty 'Dead Man Walking’ Author Coming to West Des Moines

Sister Helen Prejean, the author of  Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty, will make a special guest appearance next week as with Dowling Catholic High School students stage a play based on her book.

On Tuesday, she’ll make a presentation to junior class members who will have read her book, and then have lunch with the cast of the school play. That evening, she will speak at an open house for the general public, from 6 to 7:15 p.m., prior to the 7:30 p.m. Dowling production of the play.

"We are very excited to have Sr. Helen Prejean visit and present to our students and the community. She has a powerful message and life story that I believe will connect with and inspire us. Having the students read the book and then see the book acted out in the play gives power to her message. Sister's message of love and forgiveness should resonate with all,"  Jerry Deegan, Dowling Catholic High School president said in a news release.

The public has two other chances to see Dowling’s production of Dead Man Walking. It premieres Sunday and will be presented again Monday.

Note, the content of this play deals with some mature themes and might not be suitable for all ages.

According to her web site, Sister Helen began her prison ministry in 1981 when she dedicated her life to the poor of New Orleans. While living in the St. Thomas housing project, she became pen pals with Patrick Sonnier, the convicted killer of two teenagers, sentenced to die in the electric chair of Louisiana’s Angola State Prison.

She repeatedly visited him as a spiritual adviser, a role that opened her eyes to the execution process in Louisiana. Her book based on her experiences made the 1994 American Library Associates Notable Book List, was No. 1 on the New York Times Bestseller List for 13 weeks and was made into a major motion picture starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn.