Many immigrants in the United States have been separated from their families and placed in detention centers, often without the ability to communicate freely with their loved ones. In response, the Catholic Church, alongside nonprofit organizations and other faith communities, has been working shoulder to shoulder to bring faith, hope, and the sacraments to those who feel forgotten—especially during Holy Week.
On Holy Thursday, a small group of clergy—including Fr. Paul Keller, CMF, Provincial of the Claretian Missionaries in the United States and Canada—was granted access to the detention center in Broadview, Illinois. This visit was only possible after a court order required authorities to allow pastoral care inside the facility. They returned again on Good Friday and Holy Saturday.
Inside, Fr. Keller and the other religious leaders met with small groups of four to five detainees, ministering to a total of 14 individuals. They prayed with them, listened to their stories, and offered a moment of human connection in a place often marked by isolation.
“This is what Jesus has called us to do,” explained Fr. Paul.
“This is what Jesus has called us to do.”
– Fr. Paul Keller, CMF
Fr. Keller shared that he has been visiting detention centers for years. He expressed concern over recent policies that have restricted access to spiritual care—something he described as unnecessary and deeply troubling.
During the visit, the detainees were brought in handcuffs. When Fr. Keller questioned this, an officer explained that it was due to staffing shortages. Even in these difficult conditions, the encounter became a powerful reminder of the dignity of every human person.
These moments—simple, quiet, yet deeply meaningful—are a living testimony of the Church’s mission: to be present, to serve, and to bring the love of Christ to those who suffer.
Read more about the encounter in the National Catholic Reporter: NCRONLINE
