Religious leaders mindful of persons deprived of liberty beyond the Holy Week

A bishop in the Philippines’ Mindoro Island on Maundy Thursday, April 17, washed the feet of 12 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-Calapan City District Jail in Oriental Mindoro province.

The Holy Mass of the Last Supper and the washing of the 12 Apostles’ feet are part of the Holy Week tradition in the predominantly Catholic country. Bishop Moises Cuevas volunteers at the Sto. Nino Cathedral of the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan (AVC), including Merlito Bonquin, who oversees the cathedral's service desk for the PDLs.

Bishop Cuevas said that during previous foot-washing ceremonies at the cathedral, the sectors were represented, but there was one missing—the PDL.  So, on Maundy Thursday, Cuevas told the PDLs, "I know you can't go out, so I came here to wash your feet."

Before the procession, Bonquin served as Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Communion and had personal exchanges with Cuevas, who told him, "Liturgically, it's just washing of the feet, but I will kiss their feet. Even Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet, showing ‘service with humility,’ also his way of imitating Jesus.”

Bonquin related to Cuevas what the PDLs said during the disciples' recollection. “They were crying. They were pleased and grateful to have been chosen disciples, excited about this unforgettable experience, which they will carry in their minds and hearts even when already released from jail. Once a disciple, we will always be disciples. We should attend this Holy Mass of the Last Supper, live by its teachings, and spread His Word.

Before the event, Cuevas asked Bonquin if they were worried about the preparations and assured them, "Don't worry about everything."

Bonquin said, “The Bishop wants to bring hope in this Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope. Indeed, the PDLs were more inspired and not giving up on their challenges because there is a church that values the”m.

Beyond the Holy Week

The washing of the feet on Maundy Thursday is just one of the earlier efforts to give hope to the PDLs. 

Fr. John Dave Pineda, director of the Diocesan Youth Commission, said, “During the Bible Month in January this year, in their desire to share the Word of God, they returned, along with the youth, to the BJMP for the second year of distributing Hapagsalita.”

“While we were distributing copies of Hapagsalita, a man approached one of the youths with me. He was holding an old and worn book—one of the copies we distributed last year. He looks hopeful, but his struggle is clear. He opened the book and showed two pages full of signatures.

He said, “These are the signatures of my comrades here who have been released."

“I was amazed. In front of me, I see not just a book but a testament to the power of the Word of God. In each signature is the story of a life helped by the Word of God. Every day, as they read the Word of God, they experience His guidance and embrace, particularly during times when they seem to have no escape. Inside the prison, even in the absence of physical freedom, they discover the true freedom that comes from God—freedom to rise, forgive, and start again,” said Pineda.

“When we first distributed the Word of God, our goal was to share the Word of God with people who seemed far from it. But today, we witnessed that this book is more than pages and words; it became God’s instrument to embrace His children and restore their dignity as His creatures. Amidst bars and limitations, we witnessed the power of God’s Word to create hope and bring change, even in the most challenging circumstances of life,” said Pineda.

“By choosing to return to prison, our belief was strengthened again that God’s Word has no boundaries. It is not bound by place or circumstance; it can shed light even in the darkest parts of life. Hapagsalita became a way for them to experience God’s Word and feel the grace of His guidance and companionship in their daily lives,” said Pineda.

Pineda thanked those who supported Hapagsalita, where each book shared became a tool of new beginnings and hope.

“The Word of God is hope. As long as there is hope, there is life. Let His Word renew our lives. Hope has no place to choose; whether we are free or not, we are the ones who can choose. Let us choose hope. Let us let our lives be renewed by the hope that comes from His Word.” 

“The Bishop carries a profound pastoral vision to nurture a truly synodal Church. His mission is to accompany the faithful, especially those on the periphery, ensuring that the church is not just an institution they hear of but a living presence that walks with, listens to, and uplifts them," said Pineda.