Journeying With Christ Behind Bars

Have you ever been in prison? Do you see Christ there in the disguise of a prisoner? Today the Catholic Church in the Philippines is celebrating PRISON AWARENESS SUNDAY with the theme “THE CHURCH THROUGH VIPS: Partners of PDLs in their journey towards wellness full of hope.” How has the Church journeyed with those in prison?

“Ako po si Randy Aguilar, dating PDL sa Davao City Jail since 2008 to 2017…at sa haba ng panahong iyon, napansin ko talaga na given ang pagtulong ng DAPMin sa mga PDLs, may dalaw man ito o wala. Ang DAPMin ang nagbibigay sa amin ng sabon, toothpaste, shampoo para sa aming personal hygiene, lalong lalo na sa mga walang dalaw. Ang DAPMin din ang nag improved sa aming buyon sa lahat ng selda.. naging puti na ang inidoro at naka tiles na ang sahig, kung kaya naman ang buyon ay nawala at naging komportableng Comfort Room. Ang DAPMin din ang nagbigay sa amin ng ventilation sa lahat ng brigada at doon ay naibsan ang sobrang init sa loob ng selda. Higit sa lahat, ang DAPMin ang nagpabago sa buhay ko. Sila ang naglapit sa akin ng pag-ibig ni Kristo na ngayon ay aking Diyos na sinasamba, pinupuri at aking Tagapagligtas. Salamat, DAPMin, tunay na kayo ang instrumento ng Diyos upang ang dating tulad ko na PDL, na dati’y nagpabalikbalik sa bilangguan ay ngayo’y nagpabalikbalik na sa Simbahan at tuloy-tuloy na ang pagbabagong-buhay. Sa ngayon po, ako ay limang taon nang nagwork sa DSWD, na may saya at sigla. DAPMin din po ang nagbigay ng trabaho sa akin sa DSWD. Sa awa ng Diyos, nakapagtapos na po ang aking anak na si Gabriela sa Ateneo de Davao ng BS Accountancy at licensed CPA na sya. Salamat sa inyong lahat sa DAPMin.”

The Davao Archdiocesan Prison Ministry (DAPMin) through its Chaplain Rev. Fr. John Cardinal SDB, is tasked by Archbishop Romulo Valles to carry out the Integrated Prison Pastoral Care Program of the CBCP-ECPPC in every prison and jail in the Archdiocese of Davao. The Program includes the following services: Worship, Formation, Service Advocacy (ex: Medical, Dental, Paralegal, Educational), Linkages, and Networking. DAPMin continuously provides these services to the PDLs of various jails in Davao City and neighboring communities, including IGACOS and Davao Penal Farm. One question frequently asked of the prison ministry volunteers is, “Why aren’t you afraid to enter the jails?” The answer lies not in fearlessness, but in respect and understanding. By strictly following jail visitation protocols and adhering to the rules and regulations of these highly secured facilities, volunteers ensure that their visits are safe and meaningful. Moreover, volunteers bring nothing prohibited inside; instead, they carry with them the love and mercy of Christ, recognizing that in serving the PDLs, they are serving Christ Himself. As the Gospel of Matthew reminds us, “I was in prison, and you visited me” (Matthew 25:36).

In this spirit, volunteers enter the prisons with one mission: to serve those most in need. The words of Jesus in Mark 2:17 resonate with the heart of this ministry: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Many people question why Catholics should extend help to those in prison, believing that those who have committed crimes deserve to suffer in isolation. However, as Christians, we are called to extend God’s love to all people, especially the marginalized and those who have strayed from the path.

Jesus Himself spent time with tax collectors, sinners, and outcasts, offering them not just forgiveness but also salvation and friendship. He did not avoid them nor condemn them, but instead, He reached out to them in their moral “sickness” and offered healing. This same message of unconditional love and mercy is at the heart of DAPMin’s mission. Pope Francis echoed this in his letter to prisoners in Velletri, reminding them, “Always be certain that God loves you personally.”

DAPMin invites the faithful to reflect on the Church’s mission to minister to the imprisoned. As Pope Francis continually reminds us, mercy knows no bounds. The PDLs, like all of us, are in need of God’s healing touch, and through the prison ministry, they are given the opportunity to encounter the transformative power of His grace.

The ministry encourages more people to join this noble mission. Despite initial hesitations or fears, those who step into the prison ministry find it a deeply rewarding experience. It is an opportunity to live out the Gospel message, serving Christ in the most unexpected places and bringing hope to those who need it most. (Marian Carmela Raquel – DAPMin)