Mother Antonia Tribute

For ten years, Tony Granillo was incarcerated in El Pueblito de La Mesa prison, where he met Mother Antonia, the “Prison Angel.” Her presence, he recalls, radiated love, peace, and mercy. Even the guards and officers respected her; when she was there, no one dared to harm anyone.

Antonia Brenner was twice divorced and had raised seven children when she gave up her comfortable life in Southern California to live in a small prison cell in the border city of Tijuana.

The onetime Beverly Hills resident became a nun at age 50, and for more than three decades devoted her life to serving not only those behind bars, but also others on the outside who were poor, sick, and vulnerable.

For ten years, Tony Granillo was incarcerated in El Pueblito de La Mesa prison, where he met Mother Antonia, the “Prison Angel.” Her presence, he recalls, radiated love, peace, and mercy. Even the guards and officers respected her; when she was there, no one dared to harm anyone.