“This was a great celebration for the whole Catholic community in the Briscoe Unit,” Dr. Woodward said. “We’re the first Catholic institution of higher education in Texas to offer a program of sacramental preparation in a prison, and we had multiple guys asking if they could be in the program the next time it’s offered.”
Thirteen inmates of the Dolph Briscoe Unit of the Texas Department of Corrections in Dilley made OST history June 25 as the first graduates of the first Catholic faith formation program in a Texas prison. They received Certificates of Pastoral Formation for completing Oblate School of Theology’s Instituto de Formación Pastoral/Pastoral Formation Institute (IFP/PFI), a pilot program begun in 2014.
Following prison guidelines, only the first names of the graduates were given. They include Maximilian, Marcos, George, David, William, Aisea, Jace, Rolando, Christopher, Juan, Javier, Jermarcus and Matthew.
The program and the ceremony were just like those conducted on the OST campus. Dr. Scott Woodward, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean; Bonnie Abadie, Director of the Lay Formation Institute; and Rita Velazquez, Associate Director of Lay Ministry, conferred a certificate on each graduate.
The ceremony was combined with a Mass, concelebrated by Bishop Emeritus Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI, and Father Ruben Garcia, pastor of St. Joseph Church in Dilley. Deacon Robert J. Leibrecht, director of Criminal Justice Ministry for the Archdiocese of San Antonio, assisted at the altar.
To participate in the IFP/PFI formation program, each inmate needed the approval of the Briscoe Unit’s warden and a recommendation by the chaplain, and was required to complete the admission process for Oblate School of Theology.
“This was a great celebration for the whole Catholic community in the Briscoe Unit,” Dr. Woodward said. “We’re the first Catholic institution of higher education in Texas to offer a program of sacramental preparation in a prison, and we had multiple guys asking if they could be in the program the next time it’s offered.”
Rita Velazquez, IFP director, said the inmates had been eager to enter the two-year faith formation program when they first learned of it, and their enthusiasm remained high as they moved through it. “That was evident at the graduation; they were very happy and excited.” For some, it was their first completion of requirements for a certificate that is equivalent to a diploma, she added.
Those in the program already were in dorms that maintained a Christian-based environment and provided opportunities for small-group meetings and prayer groups and opportunities for retreats and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
“It was a pilot program, and it was very successful,” Velazquez said. “It’s born wonderful fruit. We’re going to start another cohort, and we already have 26 participants
The new graduates who remain in the Briscoe Unit are very supportive of the new ones and encourage them to participate in the program. That’s a plus and a confirmation that they got the gist of the teaching that prepares them to continue with further faith formation.”
Velazquez said that the pilot program was “a very special and unique opportunity for OST’s Instituto de Formación program. For me, the program truly represents the Oblates’ mission to serve those most in need, the vulnerable, and the imprisoned.”
Deacon Leibrecht said that six of the recent graduates will mentor new participants, lead table discussions and answer questions. “They’re present on the unit 24/7, so they can spend more time answering questions from other inmates than we can,” he explained.
One inmate, David, expressed delight with the course because there was a specific agenda for each session and instructors answered all questions and treated them respectfully. “It gave me a better understanding of the universal church and of prayer.
Would I do this again? Yes! I could go on for days about how great this program is and its benefits,” he said.
Another inmate, Marcos, said he enjoyed learning about Catholic history and the rosary. “I learned the importance of being able to commit myself to something and be responsible, and to conduct small groups. I am very blessed to have gone through the IFP,” he commented.
*Photo courtesy of Jordan McMorrough