In a transformative event at the Gameleira 2 maximum-security men’s penitentiary in Campo Grande, Brazil, a former member of the Comando Vermelho criminal organization received the sacraments of baptism, Eucharist, and confirmation. This spiritual milestone, occurring on July 26, marked the culmination of two years of dedicated catechesis provided by the prison ministry of the Archdiocese of Campo Grande.
Father Álisson Muryel, the ecclesiastical adviser for the prison ministry, administered the sacraments. Said Brandão Sayd, the ministry’s coordinator, emphasized the purpose of such efforts: “Our principal goal is to have a Catholic community within the prison—to ensure that people receive the Church’s help and can live in a state of grace.”
The ministry operates in all 11 prisons in the archdiocese, which house nearly 10,000 inmates. Weekly or biweekly sessions, organized by cellblock, focus on catechesis while building a sense of community. Brandão highlighted the importance of proclaiming the Gospel: “If you don’t speak about Jesus in there, who will?”
The two men, whose identities remain confidential, are on different paths post-release. One, due to leave soon, aspires to rebuild his life with a new perspective. The other, in a stable relationship, seeks to prepare for the sacrament of marriage later this year.
Monthly Masses, preceded by confession for the baptized, ensure that catechesis is complemented by sacramental life. After release, inmates are encouraged to integrate into local parishes, ensuring continuity of their faith journey.
