We have become used to the familiar way of speaking of Pope Francis. He has a wonderful turn of phrase which is very down-to-earth and insightful. For example: “every act of mercy makes the world that little bit less cold”. Or this advice and encouragement to priests: “go to the margins and seek the lost sheep and don’t be a hairdresser, putting curls on the sheep already in the fold”.

This was a comment made by Fr. Barney McAleer, the secretary of the Department of Evangelization of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, when he was reporting on his visit with Rita Carey rsm to two prisons, Odi and Losbergfontein, situated about 50 km northwest of Pretoria.

Rita Carey rsm

Sr. Rita offers pastoral care in both institutions and over the past few months she has been facilitating a programme, the Alpha course, which seeks to introduce the basics of the Christian faith, described by its organisers as “an opportunity to explore the meaning of life”. Alpha courses are currently being run in churches, homes, workplaces, prisons, universities and a wide variety of other locations. The course is being run around the world by all major Christian denominations. It is a non-pressurised, fun and informative course where the participants share thoughts and explore the meaning of life. There is a special version for doing it in prisons.

At the same time, Sr. Rita has been running the Alpha course for other prison ministers.

On the weekend of the 1st and 2nd of December, 2013, there was a special celebration for the completion of the course. The first gathering took place in Odi Prison where 55 participants were able to take part. The celebration started at 9 o’clock with praise and worship. A number of people from Alpha groups in other parishes, who had special permission to join in the day’s proceedings, helped to facilitate the group discussions. The first talk was entitled “Who is the Holy Spirit?” A tea break followed – without tea, as the offenders do not have the luxury of a cup of tea or cool drink. So there was simply a break in the programme. The second input followed on the theme of: “Gifts of the Holy Spirit”.

Lunch was provided by outside caterers who came into the prison yard with tables, cloths and an array of dishes. Security had all been pre-arranged. It was an exceptional moment and raised the tone of the day. For the prisoners, the menu was very different to what they are usually served: something that was much appreciated.

After lunch there was a third talk on “The Way to receive the Holy Spirit’ After that, there was ministry. In groups each individual was prayed over for the opening of the heart and the acceptance of the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit into their hearts.

This was the high point of the day. This was the moment of repentance and the turning over one’s life to the Lord. In the context of life in prison with all its attendant pressures and temptations, this is a very important moment. One could sense that the participants were very conscious of the decision they were making and that they were taking it very seriously. It was a moment of great blessing in their lives. They would need the strength of the Holy Spirit to enable them to continue as witnesses of Jesus while in prison.

Certificates of completion were then presented to the prison participants and with a few final words of thanks and appreciation the day came to an end. It will be up to Sr. Rita to take the prisoners to the next level this year. For the ”outsiders” it was a learning and formative experience. Many had never been inside a prison, nor ever spoken to a prisoner. For them it was an enriching experience and a moment of evangelisation.

On Sunday 2nd December, Sr. Rita and Fr. McAleer went to Losbergfontein Prison where the programme was different to the one on Saturday. Confessions were heard in the corner of a corridor and Mass was celebrated in a little room that held fifteen people. The prisoners had done their best to arrange an altar and “a chair for Father”.  Again the atmosphere was one of peace and joy. Security arrangements were carried out to the letter but without any inconvenience. There was a great sense of co-operation from the authorities as was the case the day before at Odi Prison.

Fr. McAleer and Sr. Rita returned for another session on Monday morning. There was a simple celebration during which there was a presentation of certificates for having completed the Alpha course. Many of these prisoners had never received a certificate of any kind with their name on it. For them it was like graduating. They will hang the certificates in their cells with a great sense of their own self worth. As the new year unfolds, Sr. Rita will be back with “her boys” to accompany them on their journey.

Pope Francis would be very satisfied with this excursion to the margins.

Colleen Wilkinson rsm
South African Province