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On Saturday evening, March 7, Archbishop Blase Cupich came to the juvenile detention center in Chicago to celebrate the confirmation of five young men, all 16 or 17 years old. All are being tried as adults. Amidst the strain and stress of the possibility of spending many years in prison, they wanted and worked hard to better understand their Catholic faith. Through the guidance of volunteers from the Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation in Chicago, they were confirmed by the archbishop of Chicago. The PBMR is co-sponsored by the Cincinnati and Kansas City Provinces.
Archbishop Cupich’s presence and his pastoral and open attitude won the hearts of everyone. He greeted the law enforcement officers as he came into the facility, stopping to speak with each one. As he went upstairs to the visitation area, he stopped to speak to the families who were waiting to visit their children. Making his way through the facility and into the chapel area, even before he took off his coat, he immediately went over and introduced himself to the youth and their families who were grateful and overwhelmed that the Church had not forgotten them. His presence and attitude demonstrated that this was not about the archbishop, this was about youth who, though locked up, were part of the Catholic family.
During the liturgy, he told the young men, “God the Father and Son comes to you in the Holy Spirit because of his love for you. Believe it. This sacrament is a gift because it relieves you of the burdens you carry and calls you a son of God. You receive, in this sacrament, a love that no one can take from you.”
Tears flowed from mothers and family members as they heard their children being called good, something they hadn’t heard for a long time. As much as this sacrament and the visit from Archbishop Cupich meant to the kids, it may have meant even more to their families. They needed to hear that they were still a part of the Catholic family.
Story & photo provided by Fr. David Kelly, C.PP.S.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]