Prisoners were brought to tears yesterday as Roman Catholic Archbishop Jason Gordon washed their feet during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the Port-of-Spain Prison.
The inmates prayed for Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and his Cabinet, the Opposition, led by Kamla Persad-Bissesar, the prison officers, the other inmates and the sick.
Scriptures were read from the Bible books of Exodus, Psalms, Corinthians and John.
The mood at the prison was transformed from one of strict order as inmates smiled broadly and hugged the Prison Commissioner Gerard Wilson as they sang Bob Marley’s anthem One Love. The event took place in the prisoners’ airing yard which was laid out with tents and chairs.
As Gordon bowed before them pouring water over their feet, tears came to the eyes of few.
Kirshchand Katwaroo, a Hindu, who is scheduled to be released today, said he was moved by “Jesus Christ.”
“I am a Hindu but I was moved by Jesus Christ. The Archbishop told me to attend service on Friday at the Cathedral,” he said.
The inmates sang loudly, shook hands and paid avid attention during the service listening to the words of the Archbishop and the Commissioner.
Prisoner Danito Gurly, 34, a member of the prisoner’s musical band—Outfit International—and one of the lead vocalists, said the inmates had potential but were ignored by society.
Gurly said during his eight months playing with the band they did tours at churches and other prisons.
“I used to sing Karaoke but I got brave here. I want to get back into food (business) but I have a passion for being a councillor. It have potential here but people don’t believe in us,” he said.
He said many of the inmates here do things they will never do on the outside just to impress their friends.
Gordon, who delivered the homily, gave a brief history of the Passover Ceremony with Jesus and his disciples and Moses who went to Egypt to ask for freedom for the Israelites.
He asked the prisoners if they felt as if they were slaves, which drew silence at first then a resounding “Yes.”
“God sent Moses to deliver them, God strikes one people and delivers another people,” he said.
He spoke of the Passover meal that was celebrated by Jesus and his disciples and Simon Peter who told Jesus “to wash not only my feet but my hands and my head.”
“What is the dream in your life? What is left undone in your life? What is left undone and the dream in your life? What contribution can you make to society? You can make that contribution today. You can make a different type of man. This is not the last story of your life. This is not the last chapter you have to dream about,” he said.
Gordon said by living that life in prison they could create this step of humility.
He spoke of Nelson Mandela, who was incarcerated and went on to become president of South Africa. “He was never a prisoner, he had a number, but was never a prisoner because his mind remained free, his heart remained free. Dream of the life you will like when you leave here and start living that life today,” he said.
Wilson said the Archbishop’s service humbled him and he was glad Gordon could worship with them.
“The Archbishop showed humility by washing the feet. That was the hallmark for me and humbled me even more,” he said.
He advised the inmates to apply themselves and find a programme to make a contribution and change.