The Brothers of St. Dismas

In a bold attempt to live up to the Holy Father's "Call to holiness for the Third Millennium" within the prison setting, Deacon Robert R. Leicht, Jr., a Texas Department of Criminal Justice Catholic Chaplain, formed this Post-Vatican II lay fraternal association of small faith communities. 

The TDCJ has welcomed the Brothers of St. Dismas as a Chaplaincy Life Changes Academy Level V Program.

For individuals who admit and submit to their prison sentence for their personal injustice done to society, they are reminded daily of their personal disappointments and losses.  Gradually, they find they are being abandoned by family and friends, and must now live in the shadow of sickening fear from other criminally oriented people.  Joining something holy in God's eyes, offers the Brothers great hope. 

A fresh sense of belonging is initiated, aspirations to recover one's individualism and re-spons-ibility in Jesus begins, and soon even trust in a prison setting begins to manifest into Godly, personal growth. This sustains the imprisoned to hold onto a prayer life in all forms, such as:  Liturgy, mutual Catholic fellowship, Scriptural study,  prayers of all kinds, including our own BSD / SMM  New School of Prayer.  For many members, clear responsible relationships with others are being reshaped.

As each Brother of St. Dismas leaves prison/jail, he is armed with a Plan of Action designed to help him become a part of the free-world parish ministry of responsibility and support for himself and family, other members of the Association, pay-back to victims, and for his local parish/community.