Bishop Vincent celebrated the Mass of the Lord’s Supper by visiting a prison and washing the hands of several prisoners today.
Imitating Jesus washing the feet of his disciples on Holy Thursday, Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv was at the John Morony Correctional Centre, Berkshire Park for the Mass.
In attendance were 45 prisoners and four staff including Catholic Chaplain Br Cyril Bosco CFC.
VIEW: Images from Bishop Vincent’s prison visit here or below.
Welcoming the prisoners and gathered staff, Bishop Vincent said today’s Mass was primarily about service and love.
This Mass is “symbolic of our commitment to serve each other, remembering Jesus,” Bishop Vincent said.
“We Christians are called to love. We are loved by God inherently.”
RELATED: Pope Washes Feet of Prisoners at Holy Thursday Service
This is the fourth time that Bishop Vincent, as Bishop of Parramatta, has visited a prison on Holy Thursday.
Due to COVID restrictions, Bishop Vincent instead washed the hands of the prisoners.
The washing of the feet was in the time of Christ carried out by servants and lowly slaves and is an act of service that all Christians must imitate.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv delivering his homily for the Holy Thursday prison Mass 2021. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
This was also highlighted in the Gospel Reading (John 13:1-15) with Jesus saying to his disciples “‘You call me Master and Lord, and rightly; so I am. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you.’”
In his homily, Bishop Vincent said, “Jesus came to heal. The act of a slave, of a servant, is the washing of the feet. Jesus acted in the name of love.”
At the conclusion of the Mass, Jesus, Remember me was sung.
Following the Mass, Bishop Vincent spoke with the inmates at an afternoon tea, distributing wooden rosaries.
John Morony Correctional Centre, is a medium-security facility for male prisoners.
Wooden rosaries received by prisoners at the Holy Thursday prison Mass 2021. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
