Over a thousand inmates to take part in the Jubilee of Prisoners

At the celebration there will be "prisoners of all categories". The testimony of an inmate who experienced a conversion in prison, who will speak together with his victim with which he has reconciled; the brother of a dead person who has become the instrument of mercy, and forgiveness; a young minor who is serving his sentence and a prison guard.

 

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - More than a thousand prisoners and their families are set to take part, next Saturday and Sunday, November 5 and 6, in the Jubilee of the prisoners.  In a first ever, people who are in prison will take part in the Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s.

The event, presented today by Msgr. Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization, will involve more than 4,000 people, of which more than a thousand are currently in prison, from 12 countries in the world: England, Italy, Latvia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico , Netherlands, Spain, USA, South Africa, Sweden and Portugal. "Also of note is the presence of a Lutheran delegation, from Sweden".

There will be "prisoners of all categories" present at the event. "There will, therefore, be minors, persons in alternative prisons and detention centers, people in home detention and sentenced prisoners with different convictions ... in short, a real presence that marks a real commitment to providing a future and a hope beyond condemnation and the length of the sentence ".

Msgr. Fisichella said that the collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Justice has allowed six inmates to serve their service as volunteers of the Jubilee. "An intense experience lived by all in a spirit of genuine commitment and responsibility."

Regarding the program for the two days, it "will not deviate from the spirit with which we wanted to live the Jubilee." "On Saturday, participants will have the opportunity, in the Jubilee Churches, to confess and to make the pilgrimage to the Holy Door of St. Peter’s crossing the path of the Via della Conciliazione, to prepare for the celebration of the following day. From 7.30 they will be allowed to enter the Basilica, waiting for the Holy Eucharist which will be celebrated by the Holy Father at 10.00 ".

"A very intense moment, starting from 9.00 am, will be their testimonies. We will, in fact, as preparation for the Eucharistic celebration present four witnesses who embrace the overarching reality of the world of prisons. A an inmate who experienced a conversion in prison, who will speak together with his victim with which he has reconciled; the brother of a dead person who has become the instrument of mercy, and forgiveness; a young minor who is serving his sentence and a prison guard, who is in daily contact with inmates. We will also listen to their life experience, and we will understand that the theme of mercy is not a theoretical word, but a genuine daily action that often represents a real existential challenge. The testimonies will be interspersed with music and songs from the Papageno Choir, made up of volunteers and inmates of the "Dozza" Prison in Bologna. Some special features will also help to give greater significance to this day. First, the liturgical service will be served by inmates. The hosts that will be used for the Mass were produced by some inmates of the Milan prison, as part of the 'The Meaning of Bread' project, conceived and organized on the occasion of the Jubilee, and developed in collaboration with the Onlus Fondazione Casa dello Spirito e delle Arti.

"What is happening next Sunday in Saint Peter's, it will be reflected in many dioceses around the world who will join the Holy Father to solemnly celebrate this day with the prisoners. In recent months, we wrote to all the episcopal conferences worldwide, urging the bishops to live this Sunday visiting prisons and celebrating the Jubilee with inmates. There were many positive responses and we really think that the celebration will be echoed worldwide".

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