New Delhi: Kolbe Home, Bengaluru a sanctuary of hope for children of prisoners and those in distress celebrated its 10th anniversary with thanksgiving, cultural events, and renewed commitment to its mission. The celebrations were presided over by His Excellency Most Rev. Joseph Susainathan, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bangalore, who led the solemn Thanksgiving Holy Mass and the public gathering that followed.
In his homily, Bishop Susainathan described Kolbe Home’s mission as a “living witness to God’s healing love,” praising the selfless dedication of caregivers and Prison Ministry India (PMI) volunteers as “true instruments of Christ’s compassion to the little ones who suffer in silence.”
The programme included a Eucharistic celebration, a cultural performance by children of Kolbe Home, Premodaya, and Jeevodaya, followed by a fellowship meal. Rev. Dr. Francis Kodiyan MCBS, CBCI Secretary to Prison Ministry India, welcomed the gathering and honoured the founders, benefactors, and volunteers who laid the foundation of Kolbe Home.
During the event, Bishop Susainathan released two books – My Journey with Brethren Behind Bars by Sr Adele Korah and Van Thuan Home by Sr Santan Nago FS. Fr Cyril O de M, in his vote of thanks, recalled the pioneering vision of Fr Sebastian Vadakumpadan, along with the blessings and support of late Archbishops Bernard Moras and Peter Remigius. Named after St. Maximilian Kolbe, the home began with six children and has since sheltered more than 100, currently housing 18 residents with holistic care in education, formation, healing, and life skills.
In the afternoon, Bishop Susainathan inaugurated the PMI Studio at the Prison Ministry India National Office, Carmelaram. The modern media hub is envisioned as a platform for digital evangelisation, offering awareness, advocacy, formation programmes, and prayer initiatives to strengthen the mission of prison ministry across India.
The anniversary coincided with Prison Ministry Sunday (August 10), observed across the Catholic Church in India with the theme “Fallen Humans May Rise Again on Wings of Prayer.” In his pastoral message, Mar Jose Pulickal, Chairman of the CBCI Office for Prison Ministry, urged the faithful to intensify prayers and acts of mercy for prisoners, echoing Jesus’ words: “I was in prison and you visited me” (Matthew 25:36).
As PMI celebrates this milestone, it recommits to bringing Christ’s light into prisons, restoring dignity to the forgotten, and walking alongside prisoners and their families on the path of healing and hope.