Prisoners’ Sunday in the Year of Jubilee: A Door to Hope

Prisoners’ Sunday, which fell this year on 12 October, is the National Day of Prayer and Action for prisoners, their families, and all those affected by the criminal justice system. It is a moment for us to reflect, pray, and act in solidarity with those often forgotten or judged solely by their past.

This year, fourteen Catholic Cathedrals across England and Wales have been holding Prisoners’ Sunday or Prisons Week Masses, alongside countless parish celebrations. Dozens of Pact staff were out in churches across the country, talking about the work we do and how people can support us. 

Pact was founded over 125 years ago as the Catholic Prisoners' Aid Society. Today we serve people of all faiths and of none, but our Catholic heritage continues to shape the way that we work. We respect everyone's human dignity, we walk with love and care alongside prisoners and their families and we believe that everyone can make a fresh start.

At the start of this Jubilee Year, Pope Francis opened five Jubilee doors, including one in Rebibbia Prison in Rome. There, he reminded us that the door represents the heart of each person. Whether inside or outside prison walls, we are all invited to “fling open the doors to our hearts and understand that hope never disappoints."

But it's never too late to support Pact. This Prisoners' Sunday we have been asking people to consider three different ways that they can support us:

• Offering their time to volunteer with Pact
• Keeping prisoners and their families in their prayers
• Making a donation to Pact.

I'd like to thank everyone who is taking part in this year's celebrations. By keeping the door of our hearts open, we are choosing hope for all those affected by imprisonment.

Julia Corcoran, Head of Faith in Action, Pact