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 welcom-ed 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 that 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-sponsibility 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, and prayers of all kinds.  For many members, clear responsible relationships with others are being reshaped.

Healing Retreats

In order to accomplish this mission, male offenders begin a process of reformation and transformation by attending a Catholic in-prison healing Metanoia Retreat and make promissory commitments to follow their sacramental vows, contemplative daily prayer, group Bible study, faith sharing, intense reflection on healing, reconciliation, and real-life application of Post-Vatican II Catholic traditions and values.

Brothers then begin a new "Chapter" or join an existing one in accordance to their geographic location at their prison unit.  Catholic Chaplains pilot the direction and focus of their healing and sacramental lives using a variety of prayerful devotions, all in the intelligent open-minded spirit of St. Dismas, who was the Good Thief and died beside Jesus on the Cross. 

Each Brother prays privately daily, then together in weekly meetings.  Prayer intentions include:  for one another, family members, associate friends, benefactors, victims of crime, and local criminal justice professionals. 

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.

Current Brothers of St. Dismas Chapters