Renewal of Formation in Detention Ministry

Archdiocese of Miami – Office of Detention Ministry
School of Prison Pastoral Care 

Announcement of a Renewed Formation Process

The Archdiocese of Miami’s Office of Detention Ministry remains deeply committed to pastoral care, fostering healing and restoration by offering compassionate presence to those impacted by incarceration and detention.

At the heart of our mission is to bridge the gap between the Church and correctional and detention institutions, ensuring that those deprived of liberty are not forgotten, but accompanied with dignity, hope, and the presence of Christ.

As part of this commitment, we are entering a new phase of renewal in our ministry.

The previous formation model—including the 4-hour basic training for new volunteers and the 2-hour annual refresher training—has been discontinued.

In its place, we are introducing a new and integrated formation pathway:

Forming Servants to Accompany Incarcerated Persons

This new process is designed to:

• Provide deeper and more sustained formation
• Strengthen our pastoral identity and unity
• Ensure that all volunteers are equipped to serve with competence, compassion, and fidelity

The formation process is organized in three levels:

• Level I – Foundations of Prison Pastoral Care (4 weeks)
  (Required to begin serving)
• Level II – Pastoral Accompaniment and Listening (4 weeks)
• Level III – Pastoral Leadership and Mission (4 weeks)

Each level includes:

• Learn at your own pace (asynchronous modules) 
• Participate in a 1-hour online meeting each week (required – with your facilitator) 
• Attend a 4-hour in-person encounter (discernment and commissioning) 
• Receive official ecclesial certification at each level

This formation process is for:

• All new volunteers
• All currently active volunteers (regular and occasional)

To ensure a personal and communal experience, participants will be organized into cohorts, each accompanied by trained facilitators.

All currently active volunteers will:

• Continue their pastoral visits as usual
• Be invited to enter this formation process progressively

Please:

1. Complete the Volunteer Information Form (PDF) 
2. Attach a recent digital photo (passport-style, if possible) 
3. Submit the Pastoral Reference Letter (PRL)
   (scroll down to access the two required PDF documents; your pastor may send it directly) 

👉 Please submit all documents via email to: efarias@theadom.org

Further instructions regarding cohort assignments and start dates will be shared soon.

We are currently in a period of transition, moving toward a renewed formation process and pastoral structure. This includes:

• Reorganizing volunteer teams
• Strengthening our pastoral model
• Aligning our ministry with a broader ecclesial vision

This initiative responds to the guidance of the Pontifical Delegate, in communion with the Holy Father Pope Leo XIV, and is inspired by five key axes for the renewal of prison pastoral care.

We will continue to keep you informed as this process unfolds.

We invite you to walk this path together with renewed commitment and hope.

Let us continue growing as servants called to accompany those deprived of liberty, bringing the presence of Christ where it is most needed.

With gratitude for your faithful service,

Office of Detention Ministry
Archdiocese of Miami