Mother Olga Yaqob of the Boston Archdiocese was invited by the priests and deacons of the Roman Catholic Deanery of Franklin County to speak at a weekend retreat for the incarcerated men of the Franklin County House of Correction recently.
This Lenten retreat was a time for reflection, contemplation, and growth. Each of the men learned throughout the weekend that their lives matter, from the very moment of conception to natural death. They, and we, are reminded that no matter the sin, God forgives those who seek reconciliation. In a time of great political pressure from all sides to treat human life as a throw away commodity, most especially concerning the death penalty and deportations, Mother is a voice of love and reason for both justice and compassion.
The Daughters of Mary of Nazareth is an Apostolic and Contemplative Community of Religious Women. They are a private association of the faithful in the Archdiocese of Boston founded in 2011 by Mother Olga of the Sacred Heart. Their ministry is focused on loving God and our neighbors through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
www.dmnazareth.org/
Following is from a note of thanks Mother Olga sent to Franklin County Sheriff Chris Donelan at the conclusion of the retreat:
“Sheriff Donelan:
“Words would never be enough to thank you and all your officers for your hard work and commitment to serve the men who have been entrusted to your care, not only for justice to be served, but most of all, by providing such an opportunity for them. You truly serve them above and beyond. This was my second time coming to this retreat. There is no doubt that facilities of correction can offer a lot for the inmates, from discipline as well as time and space to look into their lives.
“I am originally from Iraq and for 7 years I served in the prison of Abu Gharib as a humanitarian worker, volunteering to bring food and medicine. No chaplaincy system was allowed there, coming to America and serving at our prisons here, one of the major differences, it was the freedom that is there for prisoners to practice their faith.
“I told the prisoners that room where you provided for them to meet, to pray and to share, it felt like the little cave of Bethlehem where Jesus came to dwell in their midst. Your generosity and openness for the prisoners to have such a time of prayer and retreat, you gave them the opportunity to go to Bethlehem and to meet Jesus, Who came to be born right there in their midst and deep within their hearts.
“It was beautiful to see some of the inmates chose to go to confession, not because they were Catholics, but they said “I just want to be free.” Two of them grew up in a Christian denomination. It was moving to watch their joy and their embrace as they came out of confession, celebrating their freedom in God who loves them. All this and many more would have not happened without your support and the gracious commitment of your officers and staff.
“I’ve been to many prisons for service, but never seen an atmosphere like the one where you serve at as a sheriff. Some of your officers even paid quarters for our lockers, so that the sisters could keep their belongings without paying anything.
—Mother Olga Yaqob