Editors Note: the following reflection was written by someone who has faced incarceration and was originally published in the newsletter Voices from Prison and the Edge, a publication of the Augustinian…
The U.S. incarcerates far more young people than any other developed country. What can we do about it?
Prisons are often named “Correctional Facilities” yet have limited capacity to offer “correction” by way of restoration and healing. According to the American Psychological Association, a significant portion of those who…
As we journey towards Christmas, the Advent season invites us reflect on the hope we have that Christ has come and Christ will come again to free us. Yet, throughout…
by Jeremy Hiers, OSA The centurion found in Matthew 8:5-11 was a man who understood the concept of authority. He was someone both subject to the authority of those who…
Editors Note: the following reflection was written by someone who faced incarceration and addiction. It was originally published in the newsletter Voices from Prison and the Edge (issue #34), a…
Mary, Mother of Captives, give us your compassion for those in prison. Mend in mercy the broken in mind and memory. Soften the hard of heart, the captives…
One Sunday when I was still in seminary in Chicago, a classmate and I went to Mass. During communion time, we observed a mother approach to receive the Eucharist as she…
Editors Note: This reflection was delivered as part of a Reconciliation Mass at the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia highlighting those impacted by systemic poverty and Mass Incarceration.…
by Brian Dwyer On this 5th World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis elaborates on Jesus' message in Mark 14:7, "the poor you will always have with you." Pope Francis…
The issue of Mass Incarceration is linked to many other challenges and issues facing our society today. This is especially true when it comes to the issue of systemic poverty.…
The issue of Mass Incarceration is linked to many other challenges and issues facing our society today. This is especially true when it comes to the issue of addiction. The…
With 20% of the world's prison population, the United States has the largest rate of incarceration in the world. What does Saint Augustine have to say about how we respond to…
One of my most memorable experiences of jail ministry came during a recent visit to a group of detainees inside a jail. During the visit we read and discussed the Parable…
Serving those who would otherwise be abandoned According to the SentencingProject.org, while the U.S. is only 5% of the world population, it has over 20% of the world’s prison population. The…
Every person struggles with the search for happiness. Saint Augustine’s City of God portrays the human search for happiness as a struggle between two loves: love of the eternal (God) and love of earthly…
The United States has the highest rate of incarceration in the world. With 2.2 million people currently incarcerated, this represents an increase of nearly 500% over the past 30 years. Yet, two…