Manila Archbishop Jose F. Cardinal Advincula encouraged inmates at the Manila City Jail to remain hopeful and to keep their faith inspired by the love of God and their families.
His Eminence presided over the celebration of the Holy Mass inside the Manila City Jail on June 11, on the Feast of St. Barnabas, said a Manila Archdiocese post.
In his homily, Cardinal Advincula shared the journey of Saints Pablo and Barnabas whose plans and dreams did not materialize. He said that in our lives, some prayers and petitions are not granted but this reality, he said, should not affect our faith and relationship with God.
“Let us trust that God’s plans are better than ours. He has prepared something better for us. Even if some doors were closed, know that there remain small crevices where the light of God shines through,” he stressed.
The Church leader urged the inmates not to give up on their dreams and to trust that new doors and windows will open for those who believe in God’s plans.
“Let us trust in the ways of the Lord. In God, there is no wrong timing, no bad timing, no wrong move,” the prelate said.
Cardinal Advincula expressed his gladness in spending time with the inmates and celebrating the mass with them. He brings with him, he said, the love of their families and the whole community of the Archdiocese of Manila.
The Manila City Jail also known as the Old Bilibid Prison is considered as the second most overcrowded in the world with 4,800 inmates as of March 2020 crowding an area that can only house 1,100 prisoners.