Prison Ministry

We’ve been around since 1972.  From almost the very beginning, we would receive requests from prisoners for copies of our books to help them during their incarceration.

And from the beginning, we’ve considered it part of our ministry to provide whatever we can to these men and women.

After all, it is a corporeal work of mercy to visit the imprisoned.

More than that, there is something about Carmelite spirituality that connects with prisoners. In many ways, it is a spirituality of silence and solitude. Things that prisoners have in great supply.

Carmelites trace our roots back to Elijah, who sat and listened for God to make himself known. We also look to John of the Cross, who himself was imprisoned for almost nine months.

The words of our Carmelite saints often resonate deeply with those we minister to. Consider the words of one inmate, who had received a copy of St. Therese’s Story of a Soul:

These days, we get about one letter a week.

This is where you come in.

We would like your help in spreading the word about this ministry.

• If you have a friend or relative in prison, please let them know about us and ask them to send us a letter.
• If you know someone who has a friend in prison, please let them know.

The letters should come to us at

ICS Publications
2131 Lincoln Rd. NE
Washington, DC 20002

We are honored to be able to serve these men and women. With your help, we hope to serve even more in the future.