On 18 April 2026, in line with the Sexennial Theme, “Being Missionaries of Hope in the Footsteps of the Redeemer,” Redemptorist philosophy students, accompanied by their formator, Fr. Dominic Warukenya, C.Ss.R., visited Lang’ata Women’s Maximum Security Prison in Nairobi. The prison, one of the largest women’s facilities in Kenya, houses around 700 inmates and is also home to St. Peter’s Chaplaincy, where Redemptorist confreres carry out their pastoral ministry.
Traditionally during Lent, the students make personal sacrifices in order to support the poor and most abandoned as part of their almsgiving. This year, they chose to express that commitment by visiting the women at Lang’ata, seeking to offer hope, share in their struggles, and respond to their needs with compassion.
The visit began with the celebration of Holy Mass, bringing together students and inmates in a spirit of prayer and unity. In his homily, Fr. Dominic encouraged the women to remain hopeful despite the challenges they face.
After the Mass, the students spent time interacting with the inmates. Through open conversations and personal encounters, they listened attentively to their stories, struggles, and daily experiences within the prison.
The students also supported the inmates’ small-scale initiatives by purchasing handmade goods and other items produced within the facility. This gesture not only offered practical support but also affirmed the dignity of the women and encouraged their efforts toward self-reliance and rehabilitation.
The visit proved to be both enriching and transformative for the students, while also bringing encouragement and a sense of connection to the inmates. It was a meaningful and memorable experience for all involved.
Br. Pascal Lolkirik
