From Monitor staff reports

As part of his observance of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, our Holy Father Pope Francis hosted more than 1,000 prisoners from 12 different countries the world over at Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on Nov. 6. These special guests were joined by members of their families, prison chaplains and other volunteers involved in prison ministry.  Those attending this "Jubilee for Prisoners" – one of the final public events of the Year of Mercy – heard Pope Francis' message of hope directed especially to prisoners at the Mass and throughout the world.

In keeping with the Vatican calendar, Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., joined with the Holy Father's intention by celebrating Mass for the inmates in the 14 correctional facilities located throughout the Diocese of Trenton at the Fort Dix Federal Prison, the largest single federal prison in the United States, with about 5,000 men.  Many of the residents were accompanied by their families for the Mass, a special privilege extended by prison administrators for the occasion.

The prison is located on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

Taking as his theme Pope Francis' messages of mercy to prisoners, Bishop O'Connell was joined at the altar by his secretary, Father Michael Wallack; the diocesan director of Prison Ministry, Vincentian Father Martin McGeough; Fort Dix Catholic chaplain Father Sixtus Iwuji, who hails from Nigeria, and Deacon Mark Micali, who is assigned to St. Clement Parish, Matawan, and volunteers at Fort Dix in which he conducts weekly Communion services. Jeffrey Keller, volunteer and re-entry coordinator in Fort Dix and parishioner of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, made all the preparations for the Bishop's visit.

In his homily, Bishop O’Connell reflected on the “special love and concern” the Holy Father has for those in prison.

“Frequently, during his travels around the world, Pope Francis makes a point of visiting a prison,” said Bishop O’Connell, emphasizing that such visits are “more than simply a token gesture.”

The Holy Father, Bishop O’Connell continued, “is drawing on the very message of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Matthew’s Chapter 25, when he invites us to seek him, to find him, to love him in the person of the poor, the hungry, the sick and, yes, those in prison.”

Elaborating on the “works of mercy,” and how they are actions “prompted by the Lord Jesus himself, extensions of God’s loving mercy toward those in need,” Bishop O’Connell went on to differentiate between the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy.  The Spiritual Works of Mercy focus on the emotional and spiritual needs of others – to instruct the ignorant; to counsel the doubtful; to admonish sinners; to bear wrongs patiently; to forgive offenses willingly; to comfort the afflicted; to pray for the living and the dead. The Corporal Works of Mercy which offer material and physical help are – to feed the hungry; to give drink to the thirsty; to clothe the naked; to house the homeless; to visit the sick and those in prison; to bury the dead.

“These works of mercy are certainly not an exhaustive list of kind acts we can show others,” said Bishop O’Connell. “At the same time, the Lord Jesus does not present them as ‘nice things’ for Christians to do; no, they are presented by the Lord Jesus to his disciples as the criteria for judgment, final judgment, when God will ‘separate the sheep from the goats.’ They are the basis by which we will be judged.”

Referring to the Mass for prisoners that Pope Francis celebrated, Bishop O’Connell assured the inmates that although they were in Fort Dix, they were in the “heart and intentions” of the Holy Father.

“As your Bishop, I come to visit you today, joined to our Holy Father, to bring his love and encouragement to you, his message of mercy along with my own and that of the entire Diocese of Trenton as the Lord Jesus asks us to do.”

Quoting from Pope Francis’ homily, the Bishop said, “The message that God’s Word wants to bring us today is surely that of hope, the hope that does not disappoint.

‘May none of you allow yourselves to be held captive in the past! Even if we wanted to, we cannot rewrite the past. But the history that starts today and looks to the future has yet to be written, by the grace of God and your personal responsibility. By learning from past mistakes, you can open a new chapter of your lives. God is greater than our hearts. We need but to entrust ourselves to his mercy.’”

Exhorting the Fort Dix inmates to heed the Holy Father’s words, Bishop O’Connell said, “It’s up to you, my brothers.”

“Don’t sit around feeling sorry for yourself. Don’t waste time regretting that things didn’t turn out the way you planned. Don’t just wait for that lucky break to come your way. Give yourself that break! Hope does not disappoint, the Bible tells us. Have the courage to hope. Have the courage and the humility to drop to your knees and beg God’s mercy. Only his mercy can make a difference. And when touched by his mercy, share it with others.”

Offering words of acknowledgement to the family members and prison staff members, Bishop O’Connell said, “I encourage you, seek the mercy of God and be grateful for it.”

“God fashions the shoulder for the crosses you must carry on your journey,” said Bishop O’Connell. “He will see you through. God’s mercy and love are everlasting.”

Poignant Occasion

Reflecting on having celebrated Mass with the inmates in Fort Dix, Bishop O’Connell noted "It was a deeply moving experience for all of us to be together on such a beautiful afternoon."

"The presence of family members at Mass with the inmates meant a great deal to the residents."

After Communion, Father McGeough thanked the Holy Father for creating this "Jubilee for Prisoners" during the Year of Mercy and the Bishop for bringing the celebration to Fort Dix.  Following the closing hymn of the Mass, the Bishop and Father Wallack personally greeted each prisoner in attendance and his family.

The Bishop told the inmates that he promised to return and "The occasion really brought home to me the meaning of Chapter 25 of St. Matthew's Gospel's Corporal Works of Mercy," Father Wallack reflected.