"You wish you could help every person who crosses your path," said Sr. Alicia Alvarado. "But sometimes all we have are words and spirituality, because economically and materially, we're at a loss and sometimes you feel impotent, not being able to help."

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.

The Medical Sisters of St. Joseph have helped hundreds of women trapped in "love jihads," a controversial term used to refer to Muslim men feigning love to marry girls from other religions and convert them to Islam.