Before a gathering of inmates and prison staff, the Holy Father, in his homily during the Mass of the Lord's Supper at the Rebibbia Women's Prison in Rome, recalled that Jesus, through the act of washing the feet, makes us understand the vocation. Service and in the face of Judas' betrayal reminds us that God always forgives everything.
Vatican News
“Jesus forgives everything. Jesus always forgives. “He only asks that we apologize.” This is the call of Pope Francis in his short homily at the “At Coena Domini” Mass this Holy Thursday, which is celebrated, as usual, in the headquarters of a Roman penitentiary. In the women's section of Rebibia Prison, and under a large tent in the prison courtyard, His Holiness the Pope presided over the Lord's Supper Mass in the presence of about 200 people, including inmates, former inmates, correctional staff, and some families. Rebibia Women's Prison includes 370 female inmates, and is considered one of the two most important centers in the east of the capital. Italian.
The moment of celebrating the Mass of the Lord's Supper in the Rebibbia Women's Prison in Rome
Jesus came to serve
The Pope arrived at the prison in the afternoon, and greeted the women gathered, before standing next to the altar prepared for this occasion. After reading the Gospel of Christ's Last Supper, taken from the story of Saint John, Francis wanted to draw attention to two specific moments. First, the washing of feet that Jesus did for his disciples before the Last Supper:
“Jesus humbled himself, and this gesture makes us understand what he said: ‘I did not come to serve, but to serve.’ “He teaches us the way to serve.”
Then Francis mentions the second “sad” incident, the betrayal of Judas.
“Judas is incapable of love, and then money and selfishness lead him to this ugly thing. But Jesus forgives everything. Jesus always forgives. “He only asks that we apologize.”
It was a gesture that allowed Christ to show His absolute love. The Pope stressed that “Jesus forgives everything, and always forgives. It is our turn to ask for forgiveness.” In impromptu words during his homily, Francis recalled the story of an elderly woman who told him: “Jesus never tires of forgiving, but we are the ones who tire of asking for forgiveness.” Then the Pope repeated his call:
“Today let us ask the Lord for the grace not to get tired. Always, we all have small failures, big failures – everyone has their own story. But the Lord always waits for us with open arms, and never tires of forgiving.“.
The Pope performs the ritual washing of the feet of inmates at the Rebibbia prison in Rome
In conclusion, the Pope returned to the topic of the call to service, prior to the ritual of washing the feet that Jesus performed for his disciples, as he himself announced:
“It is a gesture that draws attention to the call to service. Let us ask the Lord to cause us all to grow in the call to service.
Monsignor Diego Ravelli, head of papal liturgical ceremonies, presided over the mass.
Foot washing
Immediately after the homily, the Pope proceeded to wash the feet of twelve prisoners, aged between 40 and 50, of several different nationalities: Italy, Bulgaria, Nigeria, Ukraine, Russia, Peru, Venezuela and Bosnia. The excitement was evident on the women's faces. Afterwards, Monsignor Diego Ravelli, head of papal liturgical ceremonies, presided over the mass.
The celebration concluded with a few words of thanks from Nadia Fontaine, Director of the Centre. Afterwards, the Pope was presented with a basket of food prepared by the prison women, a rainbow rosary, and two shawls made by the inmates. His Holiness the Pope also presented a painting of the Virgin Mary to Rebibia Prison.
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