News & pics by Fr Alwyn Sequeira
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (CN)

Mangalore, Aug 13:  The feast of St Maximillian Colbe, who volunteered to sacrifice his life in a Nazi prison to save the life of a co-prisoner, is on Thursday August 14. This day is also celebrated as Prison Day.

The Mangalore unit of the Prison Ministry of India (PMI), celebrated Prison Day and Independence Day at the jail premises in the city, recently. A stage programme was organized wherein Fr Michel Santhumayor, principal, Padua Pre-University College, was the chief guest.

In his message quoting St Paul, Fr Santhumayor said “We all want to do good, but we end up doing what is not good because we perceive goodness according to our own standard and measure and not by the universal standard. True freedom does not consist of doing what I feel, but doing what is universally acceptable. A fly that comes close to the fire will burn its wings. Though it is using its right to go to the fire, that freedom will not fetch it peace. True freedom is doing the right thing at the right time, one which is beneficial to oneself and to society.”

Addressing the gathering, Eeshwarappa, jail superintendent, said that Jesus will show the way through which one can love society and live in peace and accord.  He thanked the members of the prison ministry for staging this programme.

Under the guidance of Fr Vijay Machado, assistant parish priest, Urwa, the youth group of his parish staged a wonderful programme that was well received.  Fr Walter D'Souza OCD, coordinator of PMI, welcomed the dignitaries. Sr Wilma BS thanked those responsible for this event. Jane Sequeira from Bendore, compered the programme while Alwyn D'Souza from Kulshekar, sponsored snacks for the inmates.