Bishop celebrates Mass at Marysville prison

After a one-week weather delay, Bishop Earl Fernandes traveled to Marysville to celebrate a Mass for the Nativity of the Lord on Saturday, Dec. 31 at the Ohio Reformatory for Women (ORW).

The bishop was originally scheduled to visit the prison on Christmas Eve, but snow, wind and extreme cold that weekend forced the Mass to be postponed until New Year’s Eve morning.

The delay failed to dampen the enthusiasm of approximately 70 inmates and staff members who gathered in the rec room that serves as a Catholic chapel to welcome Bishop Fernandes and attend the delayed Christmas Mass.

He was joined on the altar by Father Joseph Trapp, the chaplain at the prison and the pastor at Plain City St. Joseph Church.

Father Trapp proclaimed the Gospel while inmates served as lectors for the first two readings, led the Responsorial Psalm and provided music for the Mass.

Adriana Guittierrez Santana, one of the inmates who attends the regular weekly Mass celebrated by Father Trapp on Thursdays at ORW, called the bishop’s visit a “huge” blessing and an emotional experience for her.

“It means everything to me that the bishop came here and took the time to be with us, that we’re not forgotten,” she said. “He has a beautiful spirit, and it shows in his smile. And his saying the homily and the communion prayer in Spanish was tremendous! I feel so blessed today!” 

Guittierrez Santana, who has been incarcerated at ORW for seven years, explained that she spoke little English when she arrived at the prison and that Father Trapp gave her a Bible and missal written in Spanish, her native language, which she said meant the world to her. 

Over the years, she said, she became proficient in English and that Father Trapp has learned some Spanish. 

In addition to the bishop speaking some Spanish during the Mass, a sign language interpreter assisted a deaf inmate. 

Observers noted that many women were visibly moved during the Mass, and some shed tears.

The Dec. 31 Mass was celebrated just a few hours after the death in Rome of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who retired from the papacy in 2013 after being elected in 2005. He was age 95 when he passed into eternal life on the final day of 2022.

“Pope Benedict XVI, who departed from his earthly life this morning and goes now to be with the Father, said that ‘each and every one of us must realize we have proof of the Father’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ … and that God has a plan for each of us,” Bishop Fernandes said in his homily. “No one is lost because, saint and sinner alike, He is merciful and is for us always.

“Jesus holds His arms wide to us – in the manger and on the cross – and calls us to join Him in eternal life. God sent us His only begotten Son, Jesus, who is the Light of World and the Gift of Eternal Peace.”

The bishop continued with his message of hope, saying, “God has come to us and has given the gift of His Son, Jesus, which means the Lord is salvation.

“He has come to save His people from their sins and to bring peace to the world. He has not come in power and in might but as a tiny child. He did not reveal Himself first to the great and mighty. Rather, He showed His sacred face to His lowly mother, a handmaiden; to her spouse, Joseph, a simple carpenter; and to the shepherds when the angel appeared to them and bade them go to Bethlehem to see this great event and to announce great tidings of gladness and joy.”

At a reception after the Mass, Bishop Fernandes chatted with inmates and staff members and blessed religious sacramentals and individuals.