Archdiocesan Commissionfor Prison Welfare celebrates patron's feast

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat

The five jail facilities within the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Caceres celebrated the feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe on Aug. 14. A Triduum Mass was observed in all the facilities ahead of the saint's feast day. Outreach activities were also done during the said occasion.

In one of his homilies, Maximilian Ministry Director Fr. Jayson Gaite, spoke of the deep devotion of Kolbe to the Blessed Virgin Mary, urging PDLs (persons deprived of liberty) to foster and nurture their spiritual relationship and devotion not only to Mary, but also to Jesus Christ.

Priests from the Archdiocese who also celebrated masses during these time were Fr. Leoniel Arce Belen, Fr. Erwin Bismonte, Fr. Sanny Apin, Fr. Rammel Pajenago, Fr. Emil Valeza, Fr. Jhun Oliva, Fr. Eric Bobis, Fr. Ralph Christian Golina, Fr. Ace Baracena, and Fr. Conrad Flores, FFI.

Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish Franciscan priest, founded a spiritual Army of Mary in 1917, now known as the Militia of the Immaculata. This global Catholic movement for evangelization aims to encourage others to consecrate themselves to Mary.

Kolbe was imprisoned in 1941 and was later transferred to the Auschwitz concentration camp. While imprisoned, he remained steadfast in his faith, leading others in prayer to Mary. He was also described as selfless by his fellow prisoners. In 1981, Kolbe was canonized by John Paul II.

Upon the establishment of the Archdiocesan Commission for Prison Welfare in 2014, St. Maximilian Kolbe, patron saint of prisoners, was chosen as the patron of the Commission as well; thus, the Ministry was named after Kolbe. To date, service providers and volunteer priests continue to cater to the needs of the PDLs in the Archdiocese.