Songs of joy rang throughout and within the prison walls in Port of Spain on Palm Sunday.

And what a joyous occasion it proved to be as some 100 inmates came together to praise and worship the Lord followed by Holy Mass in commemoration of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The instrument of peace was recently ordained Fr Robert Christo who heard confession from the prisoners before leading them in a beautiful evening of song and praise that left many rejuvenated and hoping for a new life.

Members of the Living Water Community were also present and offered counselling. The setting was beautiful, red arch with a carpeted walkway lined with plants under a white tent, put together by the prisoners.

There was a procession, during which all the inmates sang and waved their palms to the hymn Hosanna. Music was supplied by the Jubilee Generation Singers backed up by musicians from within the prison, under the direction of Prison Officer McCain. There really is an abundance of talent within those walls as among them were pannists, guitarists, drummers, percussionists and a keyboard player.

During the Mass, convicted inmate, Lenny Reyes, did the second reading.The Passion of the Lord was proclaimed followed by the hymn This is My Desire.

Some of the group who celebrated Palm Sunday at the Port of Spain prison

Fr Christo encouraged all the prisoners and those present, including two prison secretariats, to reflect on the death of Jesus as he invited inmates who wanted to give themselves to the Lord to come forward to be prayed for. As the choir sang, I Surrender the inmates came forward for their blessing.

During his homily, Fr Christo reminded everyone that it is not necessary to have a perfect past for conversion to the Lord. Our resurrected life begins now - not when we die, he noted.

After the lesson, Fr Christo asked the congregation to say “Yes Lord I believe” and repeat “Whether I say I can, whether I say I cannot, I will always be right.”

Take Lord Receive was sung as they prepared themselves for the Eucharist and Fr Christo then invited all practicing Catholics for communion.

The Mass ended with the song Come leh we go. Everyone felt refreshed and sang and danced to the music.

After the Mass, the musical inmates serenaded the group with their own music, which was beautiful.

Fr Christo was high in praise for the efforts of Prison Officer Joel Roberts. The prisoners, led by Reyes thanked all of us for visiting and making the day such a wonderful experience.

The Church is in the process of implementing the Anthony Pantin Reintegration Centre, which is a halfway house for ex-convicts before they are reintegrated into the wider society.

Sponsorship, pledges and donations are warmly welcomed through Fr Christo at San Fernando RC Church, Telephone: 652-2269.