Our vocation as Christians is to discover in every prisoner the face of Christ.  This is true because Jesus taught that to visit a prisoner is to visit him, to care for a prisoner is to care for him and to reach out to prisoners is to see in that prisoner the face of Christ (Matthew 25:36).

Pope Benedict has also said: ‘Prisoners easily can be overwhelmed by feelings of isolation, shame and rejection that threaten to shatter their hopes and aspirations for the future.’  The answer to their suffering and anguish is that they hear the gospel, the message of God’s infinite compassion and forgiveness.

Prisoners who receive Bible Alive often write to express their thanks and give us feedback. Reading their letters, it is striking and always so encouraging to come in touch with what is often a renewed and refreshed faith. Equally striking is their hope, optimism and confidence in God. The men and women who strive to live out their faith in prison are examples to us all.

I have started reading Bible Alive ever since I came into prison. It helps me to develop my spiritual understanding as well as my faith.The truth we uphold at Catholic Today is that ‘there but for God’s grace go we’, recognizing that we are all sinners in need of God’s mercy and forgiveness and that we are brothers and sisters united by faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Another truth is that prisoners are very close to the Lord. It could be said that Jesus has a preferential love for prisoners. A convicted prisoner shared in Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross. The good thief repented, expressed sorrow for his sin and cried out to the Lord.  The Lord held out to him the hope of eternal life and the promise of paradise that very day! (Luke 23:33-43).

Great works of God’s power and grace go on behind prison walls.

Here is some of the feedback we have received from prisoners through the course of the year. They share readily and easily and gratefully how Bible Alive is helping them live their faith in prison and discover first hand that the Lord is by their side and with them.

There are so many people especially in prison who need to read and understand the words of our Lord Jesus ChristHMP Bure, UK
Bible Alive gives me further understanding of God’s Word and helps me gain insight into scripture. God’s Word plays a big part in my life. The more I learn the more I want to know and understand. After what I saw at home I turned my back on God and walked away. God did not do the same to me. So tell the readership to keep up the good work to give and teach people about God and God’s Word. God bless you.

HMP Hull, UK
I read Bible Alive every day and always find solace in it. There are some interesting articles in it too. So keep up the good work you do. There are so many people especially in prison who need to read and understand the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. And yes please send me a Rosary and Catholic Bible.

Wheatfield Prison, Ireland
Keep up the good work. Bible Alive reaches the funniest of places – churches, libraries, prisons, schools. Thank you for your help while I am in prison, you are doing a wonderful job helping people in prison.

HMP The Mount, UK
I have started reading Bible Alive ever since I came into prison. It helps me to develop my spiritual understanding as well as my faith. May God bless your good work. It is a good thing to have this Bible Alive in the chapel. I hope many inmates find out about it so they can find peace in their lives.
Having God in my life gives me peace. There is nothing harder than being a prisoner, but with God, He brought me new life, peace and understanding of life. Without Him I am like a big building with no base or foundation. I hope and believe God will forgive me for my sin. His Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I thank you for your Bible Alive, for the encouragement and support it brings. It has inspired me to live in peace and also educated me in many ways. I pray for your hard work and effort. May God bring peace unto you and bless you more and more.

HMP Coldingley, UK
Bible Alive gives you an in-depth understanding and a way to read things you might have missed or not understood. God’s Word plays a great part in my life as He helps me understand that you can trust Him when everyone else lies or lets you down.  So please keep up the good work, and thank you for all you are doing.

HMP Acklington, UK
Tens of thousands of people must be touched and influenced by Bible Alive. They may influence a turning point or it may save a person in the depths of despair from abandoning all further effort to continue the struggle. Your funds are well spent and very powerfully help prisoners. Thank you. I love the Catholic Church with a passionate love. I have failed my Church abysmally, but I still have my faith. I love the Mass, Communion, Confession and the Rosary. I say the daily prayer of the Church with gratitude for the wonderful things God has given me.

Bible Alive is a magazine which gives a daily reflection on one of the Mass readings of the day and also includes other articles and essays on our faith. www.alivepublishing.co.uk