01/09/2025
Fresh Start, Faith news
Prisoners' Sunday 2025
Prisoners’ Sunday is a day of National Prayer for Prisoners, their families and children. In this jubilee year, we have the opportunity to remember those impacted by the criminal justice system on Sunday 12 October 2025.
Pope Francis started this year of hope by opening five jubilee doors. The second was opened at Rebibbia Prison in Rome, where Pope Francis reminded us that we each can be prisoners in our own way. He spoke to the prisoners about the need to have hope in their hearts and not leave them closed.
Throughout Pope Francis’ papacy, he reminded us of God’s love and mercy, and he showed this by visiting those in Rebibbia Prison and washing the feet of prisoners. This Prisoners’ Sunday, we remember this legacy of Pope Francis and his reminder of Jesus’s words, “I was in prison, and you came to visit me”.
When Jesus speaks of visiting Him in prison, He is asking for us to spend time remembering those in prison and to not outcast them because of what they have done. In each of our churches, there will be someone who has first-hand experience of the criminal justice system. We can make them feel welcome. This Prisoners’ Sunday, we can think about how we can put our faith into action. Pact has many volunteering opportunities, including our Faith in Action volunteers- a representative in each parish who is the link person between the parish community and Pact. If you would be interested in this role, please do get in contact.