LONDON, NOV. 23, 2012 (Zenit.org).- During Prisons Week (November18-24), the Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, Archbishop Antonio Mennini visited Feltham Young Offenders Institution, which is located on southwest London. Archbishop Mennini celebrated Mass for the young inmates on Wednesday.
In his homily, Archbishop Mennini invited the young people to spend a little time each day with God.
Referring to the words of Pope Benedict XVI when he visited a prison in Rome during Lent this year, the nuncio commented that reflecting on the three falls of Jesus. “The secret that all of us need to be reminded of is that when we fall, and in different ways we all do, the important thing is to get up, to rise again, ask forgiveness and trusting in the Lord, to start anew,” he said.
“We are all God’s children and none of us are perfect, so it is a consolation to know that God does truly love us and that, even the disciples in the Gospels did not always get things right and that even they needed to be forgiven too.”
The archbishop also praised the work of prison chaplains: “May I also pay tribute to the work of your Catholic chaplains and the help and encouragement that they try to give you at this difficult, but very challenging and hopeful time in your lives. Their task is an important and very worthwhile one.”
Archbishop Mennini assured all present that he would pray for them and asked for their prayers as well. “And finally, please pray for the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI and for me, his representative and be assured that I will pray for you too,” he said.
