Kolbe Prison Ministries (KPM) is a Catholic prison ministry serving incarcerated men and women through prison retreats, ongoing faith formation, spiritual education, and volunteer outreach. Kolbe Prison Ministries of San Antonio is a regional branch serving prisons within the San Antonio area.
The ministry's mission is to share the love of Jesus Christ with people in prison and help incarcerated individuals learn and grow in the Catholic faith.
A central part of the ministry is the three-day Kolbe Prison Retreat. Volunteers enter correctional facilities to provide a structured spiritual retreat that includes prayer, Catholic teaching, fellowship, Scripture, reconciliation, Mass, and opportunities for participants to strengthen their relationship with Jesus Christ. Support continues after the retreat through ongoing Catholic formation and prison ministry activities. Local Catholic volunteers bring educational materials, religious literature, videos, and other resources into correctional facilities to help incarcerated individuals continue their faith journey.
Kolbe Prison Ministries SA
P.O. Box 700802
San Antonio, TX 78270
(210) 500-4235
Gerald Gaenslen
Gerald Gaenslen has served as CEO and President of Kolbe Prison Ministries while being a member of the KPM board since 2012. The ministry has a group of men & women who visit prisons and who dedicate their time organizing retreats, bringing the sacraments and providing formation. The volunteers say they have found the Holy Spirit most present in prison. They witnessed deep conversions and reconciliations that seemed impossible. The impetus to get involved in prison ministry was based on Jesus' call in Matthew 25, 36 and 40, where he said, "I was in prison, and you visited me" and "...I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
We take Jesus at his word and act accordingly. KPM's mission statement which is to share the agape love of Jesus Christ with the incarcerated and the truth of the Catholic Church. Our volunteers lead 3-day retreats that include fellowship, prayer (including the Holy Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy), adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, inspirational talks and testimonies (some of which are from inmates), sacrament of reconciliation, Mass, and good food.
