Did you know…many saints have been imprisoned for their faith and beliefs?

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Did you know that numerous Catholic Saints were imprisoned at some point in their lives? Many were imprisoned for their faith and endured persecution, suffering, and death for their beliefs. During their imprisonment, they remained steadfast in their faith and love for God.

Father Maximilian Kolbe

In this blog post, we will look at some of the Catholic Saints who were in prison and how their lives can be an example that can inspire us during the season of Lent.

St. Maximilian Kolbe is one of the most well-known Catholic Saints who was imprisoned for his faith. He was arrested by the Nazis during World War II and was eventually sent to Auschwitz concentration camp. There, he offered to take the place of another prisoner who was chosen to be executed. Maximilian Kolbe died in the gas chambers, but his selflessness and love for others continue to inspire people to this day. We can learn from his example of self-sacrifice and love for others, as he gave his life so that another might live.

St. Paul the Apostle

St. Paul the Apostle was also imprisoned for his faith multiple times throughout his life. Despite the persecution and suffering he endured, he remained steadfast in his faith and continued to preach the Gospel message to others. St. Paul’s example of perseverance and faith, as he endured imprisonment and persecution for the sake of the Gospel, teaches us about standing firm in our Christian faith during times of suffering and distress.

St. Thomas More

St. Thomas More was an English lawyer and statesman who served as Lord Chancellor under King Henry VIII. He was imprisoned and eventually executed for refusing to acknowledge the king’s supremacy over the Church.

Saint Edith Stein

St. Edith Stein was a German-Jewish philosopher who converted to Catholicism and became a nun. She was arrested by the Nazis during World War II and was eventually sent to Auschwitz concentration camp, where she died in the gas chambers. St. Edith Stein showed great courage and faith, as she remained steadfast in her beliefs even in the face of great suffering and persecution.

St. Joseph Cafasso

St. Joseph Cafasso was an Italian priest who ministered to prisoners and those condemned to death. He spent much of his life working in prisons and was known for his compassion and dedication to the spiritual needs of prisoners. St. Joseph’s life is an excellent example of service and love for those who are marginalized or imprisoned.

Catholic Saints who were imprisoned for their faith endured great suffering and persecution, but they also remained steadfast in their faith and love for God. During the season of Lent, we can learn from their example of self-sacrifice, perseverance, courage, and love for others. May their lives inspire us to grow closer to God and to live our lives with greater love, compassion, and dedication to the Gospel message.

 

 

 

 

 

References for this article:

https://thirdmill.org/seminary/lesson.asp/vid/21
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/06/23/st–joseph-cafasso–priest-of-turin-.html
https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_19981011_edith_stein_en.html
https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=370
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-thomas-more-499

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Volunteer and Team Spotlight: Stritch Students Making a Difference

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Our team consists of a variety of people who share their gifts and talents with Dismas Ministry. Key staff members, interns, and volunteers comprise our “mission family” at our operations located on the campus of Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

We are pleased to introduce the Stritch students, and members our team, to you. Some of the students are preparing for graduation, and others are moving onto summer internship and work opportunities. Before they conclude their work with us, we asked them to reflect on and share a brief statement about their time with Dismas Ministry.

Thank you to all of the Stritch students for their contributions to our shared mission in support of prisoners and their loved ones.

 

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Introducing Camillia Washington, Dismas Ministry Ambassador

We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with many people across generations who want to serve the poor and marginalized in our society. As a small nonprofit, Dismas Ministry continues to build relationships with individuals and groups who align with our mission. And, we are blessed to work with students, staff and faculty on the campus of Cardinal Stritch University, where our offices are located. Here is an inspiring story of one student, and member of the Dismas Ministry team, who is making a difference both on campus and in her community.

Camillia Washington is preparing for the future through academic, campus experiences

Camillia Washington, Dismas Ministry Ambassador

Cardinal Stritch University junior Camillia Washington is the personification of an involved college student. She is president of the Black Student Union, is in her second year as a resident assistant, and makes a mean latte at The Bean, Stritch’s on-campus café.

She credits her mom, Latoyia Washington, for helping her build a strong foundation from which she can learn how to balance her academic responsibilities, many activities and stay organized.

“I am grateful for all of the opportunities at Stritch that have helped me grow,” Camillia reflected. “The Wisconsin Grant has helped me tremendously by supporting my efforts to pay for school. The grant reinforces the belief of all students’ ability to attend college.”

The Milwaukee native is majoring in communications: business-to-business and social media and minoring in criminology and police and justice systems. This interdisciplinary academic focus allows Camillia to customize her studies and prepare her to make a difference. She wants to travel the world to compare and contrast justice systems and identify solutions that will have a meaningful and lasting impact.

“As a person of color, I believe I have a responsibility to bring attention to problems in the systems, especially those that affect People of Color,” Camillia shared. “I want to use social media as a platform for change and improvement.”

She has found the perfect opportunity to explore her interests more deeply right on the Stritch campus, which serves as home to Dismas Ministry, an organization that provides prisoners across the United States with the free Catholic scripture, faith and prayer resources they need to restore their relationship with the Catholic church and with God.

Camillia recently completed her first semester as the Dismas Ministry Ambassador. In this role she is building community relationships and promoting the mission and values of the Ministry.

“Serving as an ambassador really opened my eyes to the faith-based perspective of restorative justice,” said Camillia. “I am able to show my authentic self and improve my interpersonal, writing and verbal skills.”

Camillia has a clear vision for her future after graduating from Stritch. She wants to establish a non-profit organization that will serve and support children of single mothers.

Camillia Washington, Dismas Ministry Ambassador

“Supporting the community within my community is very important to me,” Camillia said. “I want to provide resources for children and give them opportunities that they might not have otherwise so they ultimately have the ability to stand on their own.”

There is no doubt that Camillia Washington will continue to use her skills and passion to make a difference for people and organizations around her.

“I am not done yet,” declared Camillia. “I have so much more to learn.”

 

Original post written by Kathleen Hohl, University Communications, kghohl@stritch.edu found at Camillia Washington is preparing for the future through academic, campus experiences (stritch.edu)

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Volunteer Spotlight – Faith Can Build a Bridge

By Tyler Curtis

Order of Malta Volunteers

The Order of Malta volunteers include, from left,
Steve DeGuire, KM, Mary Cesarz, Mike Cesarz, KM, Dan McCarthy, KM, Hon. Beth Hanan, DM

Every month, Dismas Ministry Board Member Dan McCarthy coordinates a special group of volunteers who visit our operations located at Cardinal Stritch University. This crew on campus is comprised of members of the Milwaukee chapter of the Order of Malta.

Dan serves in the role of Hospitaller with the Federal Association of the Order of Malta, a lay religious order of the Catholic Church. The Order of Malta is active in 120 countries, caring for people in need through its medical, social, and humanitarian works. Projects run by the Order provide sources of constant support for forgotten or excluded members of society.

Since May 2021, this dedicated group has been helping package Catholic scripture, faith, and prayer resources for delivery to prisoners and to the chaplains and volunteers who minister to them. When asked what they like most about volunteering with Dismas Ministry, Dan said: “We feel we are helping those in prison strengthen their faith or maybe even establish their faith for the first time.”

In serving prisoners and supporting chaplains, the Malta volunteers help support those on the margins. “Just knowing that we are supporting those in prison, and in prison ministry, makes us happy,” added Dan. “The Gospels tell us to serve those in need, and specifically calls out those in prison. And, our support of Dismas Ministry’s efforts helps us demonstrate our commitment to our faith.”

According to Dan, the packaging work they do is pretty straightforward. They take great care to ensure that the packages contain the right materials and the correct quantities requested. The packages are then sealed and mailed to jails and prisons located throughout the United States.

This volunteer team encourages others to learn more about Dismas Ministry and get involved. “The hardest decision is to start. Once you get past that you will find the work a great first step in helping those in need,” said Dan.

Thank you to Board Member Dan McCarthy and the Order of Malta volunteers who help us. Their contribution to the mission of Dismas Ministry is invaluable.  

 

This article was printed in our 2021 Fall Newsletter, Remember Me. 

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