History of This Ministry

By Craig Cummins, OBLSB

Fr. Louis served the program faithfully until his death in 2013 – the program flagged briefly before Fr. Matthew Habiger, OSB, received a letter from one of the Oblates, inspiring to take the helm and transform the program, growing it significantly from local prisons to serving more than 350 Oblates in our 23-year history.

Fr. Matthew’s years of ministry in parishes and educational institutions, his PhD degree in Moral Theology, a decade of service as Director of Human Life International (a global, Catholic, pro-life educational apostolate that seeks to blunt the trend in the abortion movement) all prepared him to lead this program. As it grew, Fr. Matthew sought assistance in his mission of mercy by inviting Craig Cummins, Co-Director, Brian Heinrichus, and Krystal Heinrichus, all Oblates of long-standing to help with the day-to-day ministry. 

The Prison Oblate Program is further supported by some 30 pen pals who correspond with more than 450 incarcerated men and women in over 125 prisons in 24 states each month. Inmates also receive a monthly Newsletter, which is widely distributed within each prison.  We have also sent several hundred bibles, Daily Prayer books, and other spiritual literature, rosaries and scapulars.  Each month, 3-5 new Oblates join our community.