During Prisons Week, 18-24 November, the Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, Archbishop Antonio Mennini visited Feltham Young Offenders Institution in West London.
He celebrated Mass for the young inmates on Wednesday 21 November 2012.
In his homily, Archbishop Mennini invited the young people to waste a little time each day with God. Sharing a personal story from his youth, he said:
“When I was young, I remember how often my mother used to watch from the window of our apartment, when all I wanted to do was play football, daydream or chat with my friends, and she would call to me and remind me that I needed to study hard and that I should stop wasting my time. Although I didn’t always do as she asked, I knew that she was right and that what she said was important. In fact, her words have stayed with me till now but, in a different context, I should like to suggest that you should deliberately try to waste a little time each day – waste it with God in quiet prayer. Then you will come to know ever more deeply his love for you and discover “the will of his Father in heaven.”
The Archbishop 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.”
And assured all present that he would pray for them and asked for their prayers too:
“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.”
You can download the Apostolic Nuncio’s homily using the link in the top right-hand corner of this page.
cbcew.org.uk/prison-chaplains
Our directory of prison chaplains serving in England and Wales
