“But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison” (Gen. 39:21).

Like Joseph of the Old Testament, I felt the awesome presence of the Lord and His faithful love—a love so unequivocal, unfailing, and undying.

Even I, a prisoner, ostracized from society—one whose past behavior and attitude greatly differed from accepted moral and societal standards—was not forsaken but instead embraced and called upon by the Lord.

Tears threaten my eyes even today as I recall the tender moment on August 14, 2024, when I was first received into the holy Catholic Church and the Body of Christ.

I finally received my Confirmation, the sacrament in which I became strengthened by the Holy Spirit to profess the faith and live up to that profession. This special day came after a 15-month journey filled with obstacles that I was able to overcome, thanks to the power of prayer and the grace of God.

It is true that life has thrown difficult challenges in my path over the last several years. However, this same adversity afforded me the opportunity to rekindle my relationship with God.

On Aug. 8, 2024, I received a letter. It came at just the right time. I was going through a dark and troublesome time in my life here at the prison. I was in the hole—lonely, afraid, uncertain—indecisive about what choices to make in my life, my mental health was in decline, and I even began having suicidal thoughts.

I lost my prison job and everything I worked so hard to accomplish—in the blink of an eye. At the time, it felt as though I had nothing to live for and nothing more to gain. I had conjured up all the worst-case scenarios in my mind, and I was ready to give up.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (Jn. 10:10).

I allowed the devil to come into my mind and convince me that I was unworthy of love. I was caught up in self-loathing, contempt, and wallowing in self-pity.

Then, it happened; my cell door opened, and I was handed a letter addressed to me from another believer who simply reached out to offer moral support and express how the parish members missed me and were calling on me to return.

The time had come for my Confirmation—to become sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. I felt called upon like the undertow of the sea, undulating beneath the luminescence of the moon and its gravitational pull.

It was God’s call… His call to open my heart to receive the seeds of grace. Though my circumstances were apparently unchanged, there was an unexpected shift in my life. Here I was—a sinner, a criminal—thinking I was alone and that no one could possibly care less about me. But that simply wasn’t true.

That letter reminded me of Jesus’ call to Saint Matthew, “Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mt. 9:13).

I was filled with the Holy Spirit and allowed Him to lead me back, onto the narrow path.

By imitating Christ in everything I do and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide me, I know that I will be able to continue walking with God. I must continue focusing on my spiritual growth. Fasting and almsgiving will further convert my heart from worldly ways so that I may become more conformed to the very heart of Christ.

I’ve learned that the more I allow myself to be transformed by God’s love, the greater is my capacity for loving others. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit! I am blessed.

This article appeared in the June 2025 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.