Across the country, the Jesuit Institute is quietly making a difference, bringing spiritual support and guidance into prisons and into the lives of those affected by the criminal justice system.
The significance of this work has also been highlighted internationally. In a feature on Vatican News, Linda Bordoni interviewed Vron Smith and Sarah Young from the Jesuit Institute, exploring how Ignatian spirituality brings hope and accompaniment to prisoners, their families, and chaplains. Vron explains: “One of the things we are privileged to see as we walk alongside people is seeing what God does when God is given that opportunity to love somebody and for them to receive it. When people know they are deeply loved by God, something can shift and change within them.” You can read the full article here.
Fr Paul Nicholson SJ, the recently appointed Director of the Jesuit Institute, also reflected on this ministry in a recent interview for Radio Maria England, where he spoke alongside Sarah Young. He described the privilege of engaging with prisoners on a deeply spiritual level, witnessing moments of faith and transformation. In the conversation, he highlighted the many ways the Jesuit Institute helps people encounter God through Ignatian spirituality and discover hope and renewal, even in the most challenging circumstances. You can listen to the full interview here.
For the Jesuit Institute, this work is rooted in Ignatian spirituality, which emphasises listening, reflection, and accompaniment. The Institute’s programs provide prisoners with opportunities to reflect on their lives, consider the changes they wish to make, and experience a sense of dignity and hope in difficult circumstances.
In the video below, Sarah Young speaks of the profound impact the ministry is having. Reflecting on one man she had accompanied, she described how the visits had sparked a glimmer of hope in his life, offering him a sense of possibility even within the walls of prison.
Beyond the prison walls, the Jesuit Institute extends its support through Online Retreats in Daily Life specifically designed for those affected by the criminal justice system. These include retreats for prisoners and former prisoners, offering structured guidance and reflection to help them navigate the challenges of life in and after prison. Families of those in prison can also take part, finding space for prayer and spiritual grounding.
Chaplains, including prison chaplains, have their own dedicated retreats, providing tools for reflection, resilience, and ongoing support in their ministry. The Institute also runs Weeks of Guided Prayer and Retreat Days within prisons, helping inmates experience a retreat amid their daily routines.
You can find out more about this work on the Jesuit Institute's prisons page here.
As the Institute continues this vital work, it relies on the generosity of supporters. Contributions help sustain retreats, provide resources for prisons, and offer chaplains the support they need to continue their ministry. Those who feel called to make a difference can do so online here: Jesuit Institute Donate.
Prisoners’ Sunday is not just a day of prayer; it is a reminder of the human dignity that persists even behind prison walls, and of the ways communities can accompany and support those affected by the justice system. Through the Jesuit Institute’s work, prisoners, their families, and chaplains are given hope, reflection, and the tools to imagine a better future.
Photo by Hasan Almasi on Unsplash
