Prison ministry

The Latest

Pope Leo XIV speaks with prisoners who attended his general audience on June 4, 2025.

2 prisoners from Rebibbia prison at pope’s general audience: ‘It was a great gift’

Jun 6, 2025

By Victoria Cardiel

This week two prisoners currently serving sentences in Rome’s Rebibbia prison obtained special permission to participate in Pope Leo XIV’s... Read more

Judy Henderson spent 36 years in prison for a crime she did not commit. Now she works with Catholic Charities helping women, children, and families in need.

Wrongfully imprisoned 36 years, Missouri woman still advocates for incarcerated mothers

Apr 27, 2025

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Currently an administrative assistant for Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Judy Henderson continues to assist incarerated mothers and families... Read more

Pope Francis meets with inmates in a surprise visit to the Regina Coeli prison on Holy Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rome.

Pope Francis’ love for prisoners remained until the end

Apr 24, 2025

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

Prisoners always held a special place in Pope Francis’ heart, and he demonstrated his love for them throughout his pontificate. Read more

Father Raffaele Grimaldi, inspector general of chaplains in Italian prisons.

Prison is where ‘I learned to be a priest,’ chaplain says after 23 years of service

Mar 11, 2025

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

Father Raffaele Grimaldi said the Holy Father knows “that those who have made mistakes need us to give them a... Read more

A nursery room is seen at the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic, and Correctional Center (WERDCC) in Vandalia, Missouri.

Catholic-backed prison nursery offers incarcerated moms ‘family-oriented’ space for babies

Feb 20, 2025

By Daniel Payne

The nursery program at the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic, and Correctional Center in Vandalia, Missouri, offers moms the opportunity to... Read more

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Senators cry foul after faith-based groups allegedly frozen out of prison program

Nov 14, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

Sens. James Lankford and Gary Peters expressed concern over what they see as a lack of transparency in the Bureau... Read more

Sister Pia Maria, third from left, and her fellow nuns of the Sisters of Mary Morning Star, a contemplative order near Waco, Texas.

Texas religious sisters care for their ‘sisters in Christ’ on death row 

Aug 4, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

The Sisters of Mary Morning Star regularly visit a group of women on death row, the majority of whom have... Read more

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Catholic charities unite to meet prisoner hospice needs 

Aug 1, 2024

By Anna Farrow

With a contribution of $15,000, Catholic Charities has provided the financial groundwork for Dismas and Journey Home to meet the... Read more

Bishop Earl Fernandes of Columbus, Ohio, carries the Blessed Sacrament during a procession at Pickaway Correctional Institution on June 28, 2024, at one of the stops on the Seton Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.

Seton Route holds prison Mass on National Eucharistic Pilgrimage

Jul 7, 2024

By The Catholic Times

On June 28, the Seton Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage visited Pickaway Correctional Institution in Orient, Ohio, for a... Read more

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Catholic prison ministry makes good use of large donation of Bible study materials

Feb 20, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

Working with a Catholic lay group called Kolbe Prison Ministries, Jerry Trzeciak leads three-day retreats for inmates. Read more

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, which was closed in 1989 and sold, which the Serenelli Project is hoping to purchase (left), and a home for ex-inmates reentering society owned by the Serenelli Project (right).

NFL’s Harrison Butker, Notre Dame give $10,000 to group creating ‘monastic village’ for ex-prisoners

Nov 11, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

The award was given to a Cincinnati-based initiative called the Serenelli Project, which will serve former inmates. Read more

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Christmas in prison? What it's like to celebrate behind bars

Dec 24, 2021

By Jonah McKeown, Kate Olivera

Prison is probably the last place people think of when they think about the holidays. Yet Christmas behind bars is... Read more

Sentenced to 30 years for murder, a Catholic inmate will profess poverty, chastity, and obedience

Jun 27, 2020

An Italian prisoner, sentenced to 30 years for murder, will make vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience on Saturday, in... Read more

Prison chaplains adapt as coronavirus limits their ministry

Mar 23, 2020

By Jonah McKeown

The worldwide outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) is beginning to touch one of the populations in the United States most vulnerable... Read more

Bishop Robert Guglielmone of Charleston celebrates Mass and Confirmation with inmates at Perry Correctional Institution.

For South Carolina inmates, Catholic prison ministry changes lives

Feb 4, 2020

By Perry West

A prison ministry in South Carolina brought five inmates into the Catholic Church this winter, with the help of a... Read more

Arizona home helps women rebuild lives after prison

Dec 30, 2019

By Perry West

Women leaving prison can face numerous challenges – from finding housing and employment despite a criminal record to repairing relationships... Read more

Development of prison catechesis program draws strong support

Dec 26, 2019

By Jonah McKeown

It took a Catholic evangelist just three days to raise the funds online for an apologetics and faith formation curriculum... Read more

Bishop Sebastian Chico confirms inmates at a prison in Campos del Rio, Spain. Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Cartagena-Murcia.

New bishop confirms 62 inmates in Spanish prison

May 30, 2019

In one his first acts following his ordination as bishop, a prelate in Spain confirmed 62 inmates at the Murcia... Read more

Ryan Prasad and Bob Buckham at St. Mary's. Courtesy of Ryan Prasad.

'I've encountered Him' - how one inmate lost everything and found Christ

Apr 18, 2019

By Kate Veik

Ryan Prasad desperately wanted to change his life.  Read more

With a lifelong Catholic at the helm, Oregon eyes prison reform

Apr 10, 2019

By Perry West

The head of the Oregon prison system is looking to make significant changes to the way the state views punishment,... Read more