helen prejean was born to augusta mae (née bourg; 1911–1993), a nurse, and louis sebastian prejean (1893–1974), a lawyer. she joined the sisters of saint joseph of medaille in 1957. in 1962, she received a bachelor of arts in english and education from st. mary’s dominican college in new orleans, louisiana. in 1973, she earned a master of arts in religious education from saint paul university in ottawa, canada.