“For I was . . . in prison and you visited me”
Mt 25:35, 36
October Spotlight: The Corporal Work of Visiting the Imprisoned
There are two things to remember when looking at this work of mercy. Visiting doesn't always have to mean in person and a person can experience imprisonment in different ways. When we think of one imprisoned, we often have an image of physical bars that keep one locked in. However, there are mental, emotional and spiritual walls that can keep people imprisoned in as well. Fears, anxiety, depression and hopelessness are all “prisons” that hold people captive, keeping them from feeling the love of God. People can feel incarcerated without ever having committed a crime. These walls make one feel trapped and stop them from becoming children of God and from becoming the person God intended them to be.
Our Lord had compassion for those imprisoned by invisible walls as well as those imprisoned by real walls. There are numerous examples in Scripture, but the one that comes to mind is the story of the Gerasene demoniac (Mark 5:1-20) cured of his affliction and released from his cell by Jesus. It is important to remember that people in prison are still people, made in the image and likeness of God. No matter what someone has done, they deserve the opportunity to hear the Word of God and find the Truth of the message of Christ.
Pope Francis has made this work of mercy a hallmark of his pontificate. He often celebrates Mass on Holy Thursday in a prison, often washing the feet of the prisoners. During one of his recent homilies on Holy Thursday, Pope Francis addressed the prisoners and said: “Jesus loves us, without limits, always, until the end. The love of God for us doesn't have limits. There is always more, always more. He never tires of loving anyone.” On September 27, 2015, When the Pope visited Philadelphia he stopped at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, gave a short sermon and shook hands with inmates. He shared the following message with the detainees: "This time in your life can only have one purpose: to give you a hand in getting back on the right road, to give you a hand to help you rejoin society. All of us are part of that effort, all of us are invited to encourage, help and enable your rehabilitation. A rehabilitation which everyone seeks and desires: inmates and their families, correctional authorities, social and educational programs. A rehabilitation which benefits and elevates the morale of the entire community."
Whether someone is incarcerated behind bars or imprisoned by mental, emotional or spiritual walls, they deserve dignity as a human being and a child of God. People in prison are still people, made in the image and likeness of God. No matter what someone has done, they deserve the opportunity to experience the love of Christ. We need to share Christ's love and light with them.
This month's Saintly Inspiration comes from:
St. Thérèse of Liseux
Before she entered the convent Saint Thérèse learned about a criminal sentenced to death and decided to fervently pray for his conversion. Here is how she describes it in Story of a Soul:
“Just then I heard much talk of a notorious criminal, Pranzini, who was sentenced to death for several shocking murders, and, as he was quite impenitent…How I longed to avert this irreparable calamity! In order to do so I employed all the spiritual means I could think of, and, knowing that my own efforts were unavailing, I offered for his pardon the infinite merits of Our Savior and the treasures of Holy Church…I said in all simplicity: ‘My God, I am quite sure that Thou wilt pardon this unhappy Pranzini. I should still think so if he did not confess his sins or give any sign of sorrow, because I have such confidence in Thy unbounded Mercy; but this is my first sinner, and therefore I beg for just one sign of repentance to reassure me.’ My prayer was granted to the letter…The day after his execution I hastily opened the paper, La Croix, and what did I see? … Pranzini had mounted the scaffold without confessing or receiving absolution, and the executioners were already dragging him towards the fatal block, when all at once, apparently in answer to a sudden inspiration, he turned round, seized the crucifix which the Priest was offering to him, and kissed Our Lord's Sacred Wounds three times.”
St. Joseph Cafasso
An Italian Catholic priest who was a significant social reformer in Turin. He was one of the so-called "Social Saints" who emerged during that particular era.He is known as the "Priest of the Gallows" due to his extensive work with those prisoners who were condemned to death.
Agents of Mercy - Your mission, should you choose to accept... Help Visit the Imprisoned.
A few suggestions for agents of all ages:
- Pray for those who are imprisoned and for their family members. Pray for the conversion of those in prison. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged. (Mt 7:2) Pray for their journey towards healing and wholeness, for their communities, and for the victims and others affected by their crimes. Pray to support family and friends of those incarcerated or those who have returned to living in our communities.
- Pray for those who are imprisoned mentally, socially, physically or spiritually.
- Pray for/support efforts that seek the abolition of the death penalty.
- Make homemade cards for homebound parishioners or for those in nursing homes.
- Run errands, make a meal, visit with a neighbor who is elderly or has limited mobility.
- Help someone who is “imprisoned” by a disability or handicap. Be a friend or helper to them.
- One of our catechists suggested to her class that they do extra chores around the house to raise money for those impacted by hurricane Helene. There are still thousands of people imprisoned in their homes and towns due to this unbelievable tragedy and the parish will be collecting donations next week to support recovery efforts. There are also a number of local places collecting supplies.
- Bake cookies for Kairos ministries
- Educate yourself/learn more about our faith and serving the imprisoned
- Read the US Catholic Conference of Bishops document "Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice"
- Read "Pope Francis on the Death Penalty"
- Learn about and donate to Grace Inside
- Catholic Prison Ministries website
- Watch "Sister" and learn more about Sr. Helen Prejean and her ministry to prisoners.
- Advocate by talking/writing to legislators about supporting policies that uplift the dignity of the human person for those who are/were incarcerated. Such policies would address the criminal justice system, and issues such as sentencing and restorative justice.
- Donate religious materials (be sure to check requirements as they vary at each facility) to a prison.
- Volunteer to help out or donate to charities that provide assistance to prisoners and their families or give Christmas presents to children whose parents are in prison - see Prison Fellowship.
- Support/volunteer for Pamunkey Regional Jail here.
- Support programs that advocate on behalf of the unjustly imprisoned.
- Using all due caution, send cards and letters to prison inmates. See suggested guidelines here! Consider Pen-Pal Ministry
- Support job training and educational programs for prisoners. See OAR of Richmond
- Donate/volunteer with programs that assist at-risk juvenile offenders.