Passed away today in Quezon City, this 74-year-old nun dedicated more than two decades of her life to caring for prisoners, giving them a second chance to reflect God’s grace. In the Philippines there are about 215,000 prisoners, with a ratio of 200 incarcerated people per 100,000 inhabitants.
Manila () – Sister Zenaida Cruz Cabrera, 74, of the Sisters of the Holy Eucharist, a strong defender of restorative justice, which she called the “ministry of healing”, died today in Quezon City. He dedicated more than 20 years of his life to the education of prisoners. On January 11, she was rushed to Commonwealth Hospital, near the capital, after suffering a heart attack. She was coordinator of the restorative justice department of Caritas Manila.
It was known for its mission of caring for people deprived of liberty, offering them opportunities for change, welcoming them back into their families and communities, and helping them become participating members of society. The Sister Cabrera revealed that the charism of the congregation consists of preparing the Lord’s table for prisoners according to the culture of “salu-salo”, a Filipino expression that means gathering with friends and family to eat.
He dedicated his long and far-sighted service of assistance to prisoners to the Archdiocese of Manila and the Sisters of the Holy Eucharist, whose headquarters are in Novaliches. She is considered a pioneer of her congregation, specifically championing the value of restorative justice in the Philippines. With the support of the community, the nuns make it possible for incarcerated people to experience the transformative presence of Christ in their lives.
Cabrera was a former teacher who had earned a master’s degree in educational management. With his diligence and commitment, he coordinated the Caritas Manila sector in six surrounding dioceses, creating a network of programs and services for inmates, their families, communities and prison officials.
The service is carried out in close contact with government agencies, such as re-education institutions, the police, the Correctional Office and the Office of Prison Management and Penology. Restorative justice is based on recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration. The congregation has many volunteers who serve in 10 prisons in Manila (five for men and five for women), as well as in 11 districts and 13 prisons in Cubao, northeast of the capital; 10 districts and 13 prisons of the Diocese of Antipolo; and four districts plus the Malabon district prison.
The Sister Zenaida Cruz Cabrera began her commitment to caring for incarcerated people in the 1990s. She saw her ministry as supporting impoverished prisoners and their families. In the Philippines there are about 215,000 prisoners, with a ratio of 200 people imprisoned per 100,000 inhabitants, according to a report by Amnesty International.
The congregation team often offers detainees a second chance to return home and reflect on God’s grace. In fact, prisoners often lack material and moral support, and suffer humiliation and rejection from their families and society. The financial support for the service provided by Sr. Zenaida Cruz Cabrera and the volunteers come from the parishes, since the government budget is almost non-existent.
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