The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1891-07-26
RELIGION FOR CONNECTS.
Two Earnest Clergymen Who do
Missionary Work at the
State Prison.

Looking after the spiritual welfare of
900 sinners has been the work of the Rev
Father Fidells and John VI. Rogers, of
Newark, IN the State Prison for the past
ten years. These two zealous men, one
Catholic, the other Protestant, labor side
bv side in manner that has wen for
both much admiration. Many RESPONSE
bilities fall on those who seek 10 cheer
unhappy men set aside from society be-
cause OF their offences to II. and many
peculiar experiences enter into this mis-
sionary work among the cells-
FHfher Fidelis was asked about the re-
ligious WORK at the State Prison about
four-ninths of the cOnyicts are Catholics,,'
he said. in response to the question.
ss1'hese considerHs my flock; l am their
spiritual adviser. Five-ninths are Protest.
ants. and l ouly know them socially:
they are under the religious supervision
of Chaplain Rogers. We hold our mass
each Sunday, alternating in the different
wings. visit all the prisoners, whether
Protestant or Catholic. i'll regular order,
Dut it Is purely social visit go to their
cells to cheer them, to talk to them about
home; TO show them the necessity Of Gem
D etc obedience to the rules of the institu-
ton. Mr.. Rogers also makes similar cell
visits.
REACHING THE HEARTS OF TIE PRISONERS
1T is during these visits that we come
near TO these unfortunate men. hear
confession, and out of the four hundred
Catholics about seventv-five refuse to
confess. Only about twenty-five refuse
TO attend mass. Various reasons are as
signed for this neglect of churchly duty.
and in some instances the men offer no
reason. The best prisoners are the worst
criminals, the worst prisoners are the
best criminals. Old crooks are, as a
rule, very obedient. They have learned
by experience that it is best TO observe
every letter OF the prison law. Il means
TO them fayors from the officer, ana a
shorter term. The new criminal
is independent and resentfui
He forgets his position and wants to ex-
does in civil life. In consequence, he
frequently gess a term in the dungeon.
NO PRISON HORRORS.
"There are no prison horrors nowadays
such as is occasionally limited at in news
paper articles We have the dark cell
which has no light, but plenty of bread
and Tater AS soon as the prisoner adj
mits he is conquered, ne is released.
There is also the grub cell, in which
troublesome prisoners are confined
They have light, but no books,
and the simple diet of bread and
water. There is one man in the prison
who has worn chain and ball for some
time, but he is not being tortured. He is
a prisoner who seeks seusationalism. He
wants TO be regarded by his fellow
prisoners as martyr l have argued
with that prisoner by the hour, showing
him plainly how he is interfering with his
own material interest," but he can not he
persuaded. He will not give in aud go to
work. / have refused to hear his confess
sion, nor will allow him TO attend mass
with a ball and chain on. | do so because
man having such rebellious spirit
could not be benefited by the holy sacra-
ments Of the Church. His heart is not
right.
WOULD BE HEROES
"There are prisoners who are fond of
being heroes. have known cases where
men have actually requested the keepers
to shoot at them for rebellion. They de-
sire to the little act 70 take place while
late any rule Of The prison to secure the
sight Of the revolver. The prisoners are
great readers. Much care Is taken that
only good literature reaches them,
have a library of books suitable for Catho-
lies, and have recently added to it. Last
winter $500 was appropriated for the
prison library. l was allowed $50 of that
amount TO purchase books. and through
the kindness of Catholic publishing
house received sixty volumes, the list
price of which is over 500. Chaplain
Rogers will make purchases for the
fTotestahts dnu tue keeper Tor tue gen.
eral library. The men can draw books
from any library. but no books are given
ont that discuss religion l am opposed
to proselyting. and SO is Mr.. Rogers. We
work together for the general ameliora-
tion OF the prisoners.
I'VE expect some day TO have a chapel:
the money has been appropriated. but Il
Is hard to tell just when we will get II.
II is badly needed. for as it is we can hold
a service only every other Sunday. be-
cause there is no place that will hold ali
the prisoners. We take the different
wings. and this, is an unnandy way Of
serving the Lord