Opera Singer Sanet Allen “Jesus is not only the reason for the season – but for all 365 days a year.” The gospel song “Lord, We Praise Your Name” rang loudly throughout the San Quentin Garden Chapel as the prison choir greeted more than 300 inmates and guests to celebrate its annual Christian Banquet. Pastor Tom Pham praying with Vietnamese Bible study group The May 11 event brought fellowship, food and festivities to honor the hundreds of volunteers who have steadfastly shared the love of Christ with the inmates throughout the … [Read more...] about SQ Garden Chapel hosts Christmas banquet
Religious Programs
The origin story of New Hope: San Quentin’s LGBT church
Minister Kim McBride In 2014, two transgender inmates founded an LGBT church at San Quentin called New Hope. Kim McBride, a minister for 19 years, and Adriel Ramirez wanted others to have a place to worship without judgment. New Hope is made up of primarily LGBT people, but doesn’t exclude anyone who wishes to attend New Hope. Kim said, “The meaning of New Hope is a fresh start in the Lord Jesus Christ as a family.” “I was inspired to have New Hope at SQ because I saw how I was received by other inmates,” Kim said. “I was welcomed at … [Read more...] about The origin story of New Hope: San Quentin’s LGBT church
The uplifting experience of Good Friday at San Quentin
Watson Allison, who spent more than 30 years on San Quentin’s Death Row, was one of many in awe of sunset ser- vices for Good Friday — the day Jesus Christ was crucified. Allison stood inside the Protestant Chapel as light filtered through its blue-tinted windows, dusk approached and men-in-blue mingled. Listening to Raul Higgins slapped the congas, Albert Flagg’s fingers danced on the piano while Greg Dixon rang out his piping organ. Dixon switched to a Fender guitar, adding a new dynamic to the drumming of Sincere Carter over Leonard … [Read more...] about The uplifting experience of Good Friday at San Quentin
San Quentin’s 52nd annual Native American Pow Wow
Healing sister, Mike “Lil Voice” Powell & Gregory “White Eagle” Coates dancing to bless the ceremony Native American spiritual leaders from across California and the na- tion brought the spirit of family and the traditional healing dances to San Quentin’s 52nd annual Pow Wow. Colorful dancers from Oklahoma and elders from Oregon mixed with the local Native American prisoners to celebrate the sacred circle of life. “We came to let the men know that they are warriors and not gang members. A warrior takes care of his family,” said … [Read more...] about San Quentin’s 52nd annual Native American Pow Wow
San Quentin celebrates Holy Week
Holy Week is the Catholic Church’s most sacred time of the year. It is the remembrance of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. The celebration at San Quentin’s Catholic Chapel, which was open to all, started with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 18, and ended with Vespers on Easter Sunday. “This is the high point of the Christian year, and it goes back to the earliest celebration of the Church,” said SQ Catholic Chaplain Father George Williams. Thursday night’s mass began with the Last Supper celebration. “It … [Read more...] about San Quentin celebrates Holy Week
Founder of San Quentin’s Buddhadharma Sangha remembered
Seido Eishu Lee Seido and Norman Fischer at Green Gulch Responding to a call from inmates interested in starting a Zen group, Seido Eishu Lee founded the Buddhadharma Sangha inside San Quentin State Prison in 1999. He went on to serve as the Sangha’s Head Teacher until his retirement in 2015. Seido Eishu Lee Lüssen de Barros passed away peacefully on March 6 surrounded by family, friends and Sangha. He is survived by his wife, son, three stepchildren and six grandsons. Since the day Lee founded it, the San Quentin Sang- ha has … [Read more...] about Founder of San Quentin’s Buddhadharma Sangha remembered
SF Archbishop blesses SQ men during holiday season visit
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco blessed the men and grounds of San Quentin Prison and delivered a message of salvation during a holiday season visit. The title of his sermon was, “Salvation is worked out right where we are at.” “God comes to meet us where we are at,” said the archbishop. He said part of his responsibility as Catholic leader of this region is to visit San Quentin two or three times a year, mainly around the holidays. “I look forward to coming here and getting to know the men here in the … [Read more...] about SF Archbishop blesses SQ men during holiday season visit
The ladies of Beauty Behind Bars return to San Quentin
The ladies from Beauty Behind Bars speaking to a prisoner on the Lower Yard An all-women’s organization, aimed at inspiring incarcerated people to overcome their despair and anger, visited San Quentin on Nov. 3 for the second time in two years. “There is beauty in any and all situations,” said founder Tiffany Love-Harden inside the Inter-Faith Chapel on the Saturday afternoon. “My bars may be different from your bars, but we must all find the beauty behind bars. All of our prisons are not the same.” Love-Harden added, “With this … [Read more...] about The ladies of Beauty Behind Bars return to San Quentin
Magick helps man to survive the row
An Arkansas inmate performed ceremonial “ magick” to help him survive Death Row, reported an article in The Guardian. Damien Echols said he summoned an angel through magick (which he believes is a mixture of gnostic Christianity, esoteric Judaism, and Taoist energy practices) to protect himself. “It had no discernible facial features. But I knew it was an angel,” Echols said, “and I got why angels in the Bible say ‘be not afraid’ when they show up, because this thing was terrifying.” Echols and two friends were convicted of … [Read more...] about Magick helps man to survive the row
Death Row gains attention with crucifixion painting
Prisoners on Death Row in Nashville gained the attention of many parishioners with a thought-provoking painting of the crucifixion scene of Jesus, reported Holly Meyer of the USA Today Network. Derrick Quintero, sentenced to death in 1991 for first-degree murder, is one of the artists who depicted the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. “The piece of art is a commentary on the continuing battle for our collective moral world view. I asked my fellow community members to help me create this project to begin conversation about what … [Read more...] about Death Row gains attention with crucifixion painting