Reverend Larry Silva, Bishop | Diocese of Honolulu

Pope Francis, in his Angelus reflection on the Sundays of this Easter Season, emphasized the importance of sharing stories of encounters with Christ. He encouraged people to discuss moments of feeling the Lord's presence with their families, friends, and communities. The Pope's Easter season message centered around the idea of hopeful encounters with Christ.

During the week before Easter, Pope Francis drew attention to encountering Christ within Rome's Rebbibia prison. He washed the feet of twelve women prisoners from different nationalities during the Mass of the Lord's supper, reminding the world of the grace of God's forgiveness and the value of humility in serving others.

In Hawaii, similar stories of encounters with Christ are found in social ministries. The Pua Foundation engages in a healing ministry that involves accompanying women in and exiting prison on their journey from trauma to transformation. This ministry, in collaboration with various institutions, helps women reintegrate into society successfully, with outcomes including reuniting with families, securing employment, and pursuing further education.

Volunteers in this ministry actively engage in accompanying justice-involved women and their families, providing support, organizing events, and offering assistance in various aspects of reintegration. Through these actions, they deepen their encounter with Christ and live out their faith in meaningful ways.

As we navigate through the Easter Season, Pope Francis's call to reflect on personal encounters with Jesus resonates deeply. Taking time to recognize and share moments of feeling the Lord's presence can enrich communities and foster a deeper connection with God's forgiving grace. Let us heed the Pope's words and continue to pray daily for guidance and gratitude.