Our Sunday Visitor Article
Deacons see prison ministry as blessing behind bars
Ministers say outreach does not induce fear but instead a joy of serving on the peripheries
In some of Jesus’ last words to his disciples before his passion and death, he implored them to act with charity and mercy to all of their brothers and sisters. “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me. ... Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me” (Mt 25:40, 45). Among the examples of mercy given by Jesus is visiting the imprisoned (cf. Mt 25:36).
This is a call that is passed down to followers of Jesus Christ through the centuries. In our day, in a particular way, this calling is fulfilled by dedicated laypeople and religious as well as priests and deacons who serve as chaplains at jails and prisons all over the world.