Bishop Earl Fernandes visited two prisons on April 2, Holy Thursday, to recite Morning Prayer with inmates and wash the incarcerated men’s feet.

The bishop made stops at Madison Correctional Institution and London Correctional Institution ahead of celebrating the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at Columbus St. Joseph Cathedral that evening.

He imitated Christ, Who, on the eve of His death, washed the feet of His Apostles. The bishop’s act of charity had a profound effect on the inmates.

Bishop Earl Fernandes washes the feet of men incarcerated at London Correctional Institution on Holy Thursday.

“The men feel that they’re forgotten, that they’re not seen. And often, they feel they are thought of as ‘less than’ … and there are a lot of people on the outside (of prison) that would make them feel that way,” said Mike Davis, administrator for religious services at London Correctional Institution.

“The bishop’s presence as well as the presence of the volunteers that come in remind them that they’re not forgotten and that they are children of the Master, like we all are, and we’re very appreciative of their presence here today.”

Five men incarcerated at the institution in London gifted a rosary to Bishop Fernandes that they had made for him.

Bishop Earl Fernandes hears an inmate’s confession while celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation at London Correctional Institution on Holy Thursday.

During his time at London Correctional, Bishop Fernandes celebrated the sacrament of reconciliation, hearing inmates’ confessions and absolving them of their sins.

The bishop prayed Morning Prayer, part of the Church’s Liturgy of the Hours, with approximately 27 inmates. The Liturgy of the Hours is prayed at set times daily by clergy and consecrated religious as well as many laity.

Members of the Order of Malta religious organization were also present. Men in the order, known as knights, and ladies, referred to as dames, facilitate medical, social and humanitarian projects worldwide.

Charles Mifsud, a knight in the Order of Malta, greets an inmate at Madison Correctional Institution after Morning Prayer. The Order of Malta has an active prison ministry, and a number of members in the Columbus region regularly visit prisons in the diocese.

Knights and dames in the order’s prison ministry made an additional visit to Madison Correctional Institution, also located in London, with the bishop on Holy Thursday.

(From left) Deacon Mark O’Loughlin, Bishop Earl Fernandes, Deacon Tom Rowlands and Father Matt Morris pray with inmates at Madison Correctional Institution.

Bishop Fernandes was joined by Deacons Mark O’Loughlin, of Columbus St. Cecilia Church, and Tom Rowlands, of Columbus St. Margaret of Cortona Church, and Father Matt Morris, who serves as chaplain for prison ministry.

Inmates at Madison Correctional Institution recite Morning Prayer, part of the Church’s Liturgy of the Hours prayed daily.

The bishop prayed Morning Prayer with approximately 31 incarcerated men at the institution and offered a reflection. The inmates expressed joy and humility at their diocesan shepherd’s visit.

The bishop washed the feet of 12 men at Madison Correctional, symbolic of Christ’s role washing each of His 12 Apostles’ feet.

Inmates at Madison Correctional Institution (above and below) recite Morning Prayer, part of the Church’s Liturgy of the Hours, with Bishop Fernandes during his visit to the prison on Holy Thursday.