Liturgical items for prisoners.

After his baptism, when Jesus went into the synagogue at Capernaum at the start of his ministry, he issued what we would now call his mission statement: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the prisoners and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” (Luke: 4:18).

The fate of prisoners appears several times in Scripture. Isaiah writes, “He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners.”  Echoing Isaiah, Jesus repeats these words throughout his ministry, most notably in the final judgement.  “I was in prison and you visited me.”(Matthew 25: 36). While we are called as Christians to care for those in prison, we cannot all visit prisoners. But there are things we can do to make their life easier.

One of these is the donation of liturgical items to those in prison, and the Society of St Vincent de Paul in Scotland is presently appealing for these items. The intention is to give them to catholic prison chaplains who will distribute them to prisoners throughout Scotland.

They include missals, prayer books, prayer cards, medals, and rosaries (not metal). Crucifixes and statues are not acceptable. Rev Kenny McGeachie, who is the national adviser to Catholic chaplains in Scottish prisons, notes that the prisoners greatly appreciate receiving these items. “Many of them hang the rosary or a holy picture above their bed,” he says.

If you have items of this kind that you wish to donate, please contact your local St Vincent de Paul Conference. Alternatively, please contact socialjustice@ssvpscotland.com.