PRISONERS SUNDAY - 12TH OCTOBER 2025

This Sunday 12th October is Prisoners Sunday. Today we invite people to pray for prisoners, their families and their victims. Pope Leo askes us as Christians to reach out to those who live in the margins of society including prisoners. We can do this through our prayers and raising awareness.

It is difficult for some to pray for prisoners but they are mentioned specifically by Jesus in Matthew 25 where he identifies himself with those who are behind bars.

Prisoners’ Sunday is a moment in the year prompting us to pause and consider the men, women, and children who inhabit our prisons and places of detention. People in prison are rarely the recipients of sympathy. Their concerns and travails barely register with the general public. In fact, public opinion on penal matters often seems to favour longer, harsher sentences. Despite Christian directives on themes of forgiveness, redemption, and love for all of humanity, even the church-going population are largely ambivalent. The recent synodal process, a collective deliberation about issues that are important to ordinary Irish Catholics, did not stir enough concern for the plight of prisoners and their families to warrant a mention. Below is an interview with Sr Imelda Wickham, a Presentation Sister from Wexford who has done sterling work as chaplain in one of Ireland's most challenging prisons. Her experience and perspectives are worth listening to. Below the interview link is a prayer for all prisoners this day.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

https://soundcloud.com/user-163044907/imelda-wickham

Prayer for Prisoners.

‘We pray your grace Lord Jesus for prisoners and their families, who walk their sentence with their loved one. We pray your healing Lord for the trauma that has caused them to hurt themselves, their families and their victims. We pray they will turn to You and begin their journey of recovery, finding compassionate support in our Christian society. Jesus, We trust in you. Amen’.