Restorative justice month
Restorative Justice Month at the Archdiocese of San Francisco
What We Do During Restorative Justice Month Each November, the Archdiocese of San Francisco Restorative Justice Ministry observes Restorative Justice Month as a sacred time of reflection, prayer, and action. This month-long observance is part of our broader commitment to healing the wounds of violence, incarceration, and injustice through the lens of our Catholic faith.
Our Restorative Justice Ministry is a ministry of presence—walking with crime survivors, incarcerated individuals, their families, and communities impacted by harm. We believe in the transformative power of mercy, dialogue, and reconciliation. Through prison visits, reentry support, healing circles, and advocacy, we strive to restore dignity, rebuild relationships, and foster peace.
During Restorative Justice Month, we encourage everyone to:
- Pray intentionally each week for those affected by crime, incarceration, and systemic injustice
- Participate in events that elevate voices of lived experience and promote healing
- Support outreach efforts to jails, prisons, and communities in need
- Reflect on your role in building a more restorative and compassionate society
Pray Intentionally
We encourage pastors to:
- Incorporate weekly reflections and Prayers of the Faithful into Sunday Masses throughout November. These liturgical resources are designed to guide parishioners in praying for crime survivors, incarcerated individuals, their families, and communities impacted by harm.
- Reflect on the Gospel readings in light of restorative justice themes such as mercy, reconciliation, and healing.
- Share the message of restorative justice with parishioners through homilies, bulletins, and announcements, emphasizing our Catholic call to be agents of peace and compassion.
- Promote parish engagement in outreach efforts such as prison ministry, reentry support, and healing circles.
Resources for weekly reflections and prayers are available in English and Spanish at:
Thanksgiving Outreach: Meals and Mercy
As part of our outreach, we provide Thanksgiving meals to families impacted by incarceration and violence. Each meal includes a handmade Thanksgiving card created through our Cards of Mercy – Thanksgiving (see button below). These cards carry messages of hope and compassion, reminding recipients that they are not forgotten.
You can help by:
- Volunteering to prepare or deliver meals
- Creating Cards of Mercy with your parish or school
- Supporting our efforts through prayer and donations (click on the button below)
Volunteer opportunities are available, click on the button below, RJ Volunteer.
Reflect and Act
Restorative Justice Month is more than an observance—it’s a call to action. Together, we can transform pain into purpose and build communities rooted in mercy and hope.