Prison ministry

The Latest

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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

In Vancouver, prison ministry volunteers help change lives

Apr 10, 2019

A former inmate in Canada credits volunteers and staff members working in prison ministry in the Archdiocese of Vancouver with... Read more

Pope Francis speaks with personnel from the “Regina Coeli” prison Feb. 7, 2019.

Treat inmates with compassion, Pope Francis urges prison staff

Feb 7, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Often spaces of suffering, prisons should be places of hope and the possibility of redemption, Pope Francis told prison personnel... Read more

The Benedict XVI Institute's schola with Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone and Father Cassian outside San Quentin State Prison, Aug. 5, 2018. Photo courtesy of the Benedict XVI Institute.

Benedict XVI Institute At San Quentin

Aug 15, 2018

By Mary Farrow

When the Benedict XVI Institute in San Francisco formed a choir to teach Gregorian chant and sacred music to interested... Read more

Possible merging of sentencing reform with prison bill draws praise

Aug 7, 2018

The largest global Christian prison ministry is applauding reports that U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled a willingness to include... Read more

For chaplain, prison visits are about bringing Jesus – and meeting him

May 8, 2018

When Fr. Juan Carlos Cagliani goes on prison visits, he is not only seeking to bring Christ to the inmates,... Read more

Confirmation.

Bishop confirms 15 inmates at Mexican prison visited by Pope Francis

May 8, 2018

Bishop José Guadalupe Torres Campos of Ciudad Juárez, in Chihuahua state, Mexico, conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on 15 inmates... Read more

For former inmates, returning to society comes with challenges

Mar 29, 2018

By Courtney Mares

For the fourth time in his pontificate, Pope Francis will wash the feet of inmates at a prison on Holy... Read more

Pope Francis visits the Female Central Penitentiary in Santiago, Chile, Jan. 16, 2018.

Bars don't stop your ability to dream, Pope says at Chilean women's prison

Jan 16, 2018

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis visited a women's prison in Santiago on Tuesday, telling the inmates that while at times it might seem... Read more

Nearly 80 prisoners baptized in Argentina

Dec 8, 2017

Seventy-eight prisoners were baptized, confirmed, and received their First Holy Communion in an Argentine prison Dec. 1.  Read more