Resurrection – God''s Offer for Everyone

Fr. Prof. Mirosław Kalinowski, rector of the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin (KUL), draws upon the testimonies of inmates – both former and current students of the KUL Center for Studies for Inmates at the Detention Center in Lublin – as a metaphorical example of the spiritual resurrection of the human person in his Easter Letter for 2025. 

In keeping with tradition, KUL addresses this letter to Polish parishes, where it is usually read on Easter Monday. This year, in his message to the faithful, the Rector of KUL emphasizes that Easter is not merely a celebration of historical memories of Jesus, who overcame death two thousand years ago, nor is it a vague hope of humanity's return to life. „If we believe in the true resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and if we desire to overcome evil, death, and sin in ourselves by His power, we must now embark on a personal journey towards the final resurrection and daily spiritual rebirth,” notes Fr. Prof. Kalinowski. He illustrates this point with short stories and reflections shared by his students from the Lublin detention center. Some of them have already left prison – a place that, surprisingly, became the beginning of their journey toward conversion and inner transformation.

Stories of Transformation 

Roman, a KUL graduate, says: „Renewed life is a journey that begins with recognising one’s mistakes and taking responsibility for one’s actions. It requires humility, courage, and the belief that change is possible”.
Arek, from the detention center on Południowa Street in Lublin, shares: “The stay in prison has stripped me of a part of my life, yet has proved a challenge and a chance for starting a new, more meaningful life. Reflection on the state of spiritual death has awoken my conscience and enabled me to find nobler feelings, a sense of dignity and common decency, to discover in myself a wealth of goodness, sensitivity and gentleness, and first of all love”.
Łukasz describes his transformation: “As a student, I was greatly surprised by the approach of our lecturers. For them, we were students, not criminals. For the first time in my life, I was treated like a normal human being. It was the priest who showed me real life based on Christian morality. He didn’t demand anything from me and didn’t impose, but his attitude made me want to be good”.

One of the female inmates writes: “Thanks to my studies, I have met many valuable people, and I feel appreciated and needed. I feel that I am doing something important not only for myself. In time, when I successfully finish my studies and leave the detention centre, I will be able to work and support other people who need help. Now that I have risen from the dead, my will to live and to fight for myself and my life has been restored”.

Insights from a Teacher 

Drawing on over a decade of experience educating inmates, the rector of KUL observes that they achieve excellent academic results and undergo a visible mental shift. “Our prisoner-students stress that their spiritual resurrection took place in the unique circumstances that facilitated the process. A tangible example from good people coming to their aid was the prerequisite for moral revival. This confession shows the importance of the role of the person who, following the example of Christ, shows acceptance and willingness to help someone in a state of spiritual death,” says Fr. Prof. Kalinowski. He also points to the essential role of culture in the transformation process:  “By reading poetry, for example, they see a different world. They come to understand their loneliness and inner void. Reading awakens their latent sensitivity, makes them work on themselves, and opens them up to helping others. High culture, i.e., literature, music, and the arts, is said to have a cleansing power; it gives food for thought, sensitises people, triggers their rebirth, and enables them to aspire to higher goals”.

A Decade of Hope 

Since 2013, the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin participated in the rehabilitation of individuals serving prison sentences at the Lublin Detention Center through education. In 2022, the Center for Studies was established on the initiative of Fr. Prof. Kalinowski and with the support of university scholars and lecturers. It offers degree programs for inmates not only in Lublin but also in other prisons across Poland. The project enables incarcerated individuals to pursue undergraduate and graduate studies in "Family Studies" and to internalize essential ethical and humanistic values. Today, 40 men and women students participate in daily in-person classes at the prison. A similar number have already completed their studies and are now alumni. 

Letter from the Rector of the Catholic University of Lublin for Easter 2025