Our vocation as Christians is to discover in every prisoner the face of Christ.  This is true because Jesus taught that to visit a prisoner is to visit him, to care for a prisoner is to care for him and to reach out to prisoners is to see in that prisoner the face of Christ (Matthew 25:36).

Pope Benedict has also said: ‘Prisoners easily can be overwhelmed by feelings of isolation, shame and rejection that threaten to shatter their hopes and aspirations for the future.’  The answer to their suffering and anguish is that they hear the gospel, the message of God’s infinite compassion and forgiveness.

Here is some of the feedback we have received from prisoners through the course of the year. They share readily and easily and gratefully how Bible Alive is helping them live their faith in prison and discover first hand that the Lord is by their side and with them.

HMP The Mount, UK
I have started reading Bible Alive ever since I came into prison. It helps me to develop my spiritual understanding as well as my faith. May God bless your good work. It is a good thing to have this Bible Alive in the chapel. I hope many inmates find out about it so they can find peace in their lives.

Having God in my life gives me peace. There is nothing harder than being a prisoner, but with God, He brought me new life, peace and understanding of life. Without Him I am like a big building with no base or foundation. I hope and believe God will forgive me for my sin. His Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I thank you for your Bible Alive, for the encouragement and support it brings. It has inspired me to live in peace and also educated me in many ways. I pray for your hard work and effort. May God bring peace unto you and bless you more and more.

HMP Hull, UK
I read Bible Alive every day and always find solace in it. There are some interesting articles in it too. So keep up the good work you do. There are so many people especially in prison who need to read and understand the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. And yes please send me a Rosary and Catholic Bible.

HMP Coldingley, UK
Bible Alive gives you an in-depth understanding and a way to read things you might have missed or not understood. God’s Word plays a great part in my life as He helps me understand that you can trust Him when everyone else lies or lets you down.  So please keep up the good work, and thank you for all you are doing.

HMP Acklington, UK
Tens of thousands of people must be touched and influenced by Bible Alive. They may influence a turning point or it may save a person in the depths of despair from abandoning all further effort to continue the struggle. Your funds are well spent and very powerfully help prisoners. Thank you. I love the Catholic Church with a passionate love. I have failed my Church abysmally, but I still have my faith. I love the Mass, Communion, Confession and the Rosary. I say the daily prayer of the Church with gratitude for the wonderful things God has given me.

HMP Bure, UK
Bible Alive gives me further understanding of God’s Word and helps me gain insight into scripture. God’s Word plays a big part in my life. The more I learn the more I want to know and understand. After what I saw at home I turned my back on God and walked away. God did not do the same to me. So tell the readership to keep up the good work to give and teach people about God and God’s Word. God bless you.

Wheatfield Prison, Ireland
Keep up the good work. Bible Alive reaches the funniest of places – churches, libraries, prisons, schools. Thank you for your help while I am in prison, you are doing a wonderful job helping people in prison.

Kamfinsa State Prison, Zambia
My spiritual father, allow me to express my appreciation for helping me with the gift of the NRSV Bible. It was all I needed to improve my Church fellowship and cell studies.

Texas Death Row, USA
First!  Thank you.  May each one receive the abundance of blessing that I have received as I read Bible Alive.  It not only gives me food for thought, but also allows me to get a better perspective of the Bible by the way it breaks down what can be taken from the Bible verse of the day.  And I totally enjoy the stories of faith. And the Word brings me closer to God. It gives me the strength I need to make it through each day.  It fills my heart with love.

Texas Death Row, USA
Please tell your readers that they are without doubt incredible people of love, compassion, and sincerity. May God favour them with mercy and blessings unparalleled than anything imagined.  

I find Bible Alive encouraging and interesting as it uses comprehensible diction and it shows us the flow of history to our present values. The gifts of the Bible and Rosary would be appreciated and welcomed also, as far as I am concerned, but I don’t know if this facility would allow me to receive the Rosary.  I would gladly and humbly accept it if it were. Thank you.

By receiving Bible Alive we know the Pope is praying for us, and the entire Holy Roman Catholic Church!  Therefore, by the blessed Mother of Jesus, the Holy Trinity, and all the Saints, I personally believe that God has given me the security of his flock and Catholic Faith – and that makes me sane!

Texas Death Row, USA
Please say thank you to your readership. Bible Alive helps me every day I live here in Death Row and it has helped a lot in making me understand the Bible better. Please do send me a Bible and also yes on the rosary and how to pray the rosary. They will help in trying every day to be good and do good to others.

Arizona State Prison, Death Row, USA
I want to say a lot.  I hope that you understand how special your readership is. We here on Arizona’s Death Row are not allowed to work, and our outside communication is limited.  Bible Alive is necessary for our spiritual growth, God bless you all and thank you!! I look forward so much to the daily readings.  They bring me closer to the Lord and the readings increase my knowledge of God’s Word.  The real-life stories and articles are inspiring and uplifting as well.  Keep up the great work!!

It shows different perspectives and different outlooks in our faith.  It also encourages me to pray and meditate and to study the scriptures arduously. In fact I study God’s Word every morning when I am fully awake and ready to receive his message. Bible Alive helps to give views and advice on what I am reading.  I take notes and study them again and again.  

I have been on Death Row for seventeen years.  I know that there is a better place awaiting my arrival!!  I also know that no one is perfect.  We all fall short of the glory of God.  I have learned to be more patient and more understanding with the officers and inmates.  My faith also makes me feel special that God has entered my heart.  I love the Lord!!  I want to thank Bible Alive and all their readers for helping me with my walk with Christ.  God bless you and keep you always!! ■