Catholic Men Organization (CMO) under St John Paul M’phakati at Kaggwa Parish in Lilongwe has asked Catholics incarcerated in various correctional facilities across the country to use their time in jail to mend their relationship and deepen their faith in Jesus Christ.
The CMO chairperson Boniface Chibwana sounded the advice at St. Denis Parish at Maula Prison on Sunday during a holy mass they celebrated with Catholics currently serving jail at the prison.
CMO members handing over cartons of soap to the inmates after Holy Mass
“Your incarceration has a purpose. And that purpose is to prepare you for a greater commission to serve the Lord when you are released from here,” said Chibwana, adding that their visit was aimed at reminding the inmates about the God’s unwavering love for mankind.
He said they were particularly with the level of faith the inmates demonstrated during the celebration of the mass.
“We’ve seen people who have unwavering faith in God despite being incarcerated. We are particularly inspired to see that you continue celebrating mass and receive the Holy Eucharist. This is very important for you as you serve your time here,” he said.
The lay Catholic movement for men also donated K300, 000 worth of soap in line with almsgiving during Lenten period, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday.
Chibwana assured that the movement will continue visiting and ministering to the inmates both in spirit and body.
St. Denis Parish Council chairperson Henry Machilika thanked the CMO for the visit and donation of soap.
Machilika stated that the donation will go a long way in addressing the hygiene problems among them inmates.
Parish priest Father Peter Muwanga urged the inmates to demonstrate good behaviour to the prison authorities to show that they are indeed reformed.
On his part, Maula Prison chaplain Sergeant Maxwell Kagame expressed the management’s gratitude to the CMO for the support to the inmates.
“We are very grateful to St. John Paul M’phakati CMO for the donation. As you might be aware, many of these inmates don’t have relatives living within Lilongwe, and, therefore, they depend on well-wishers to help them with toiletries and other basic necessities,” Kagame said.
