--- url: 'https://catholiciu.edu/prison-ministry/' title: Prison Ministry author: name: Catholic International University url: 'https://catholiciu.edu/author/tyler/' date: '2024-12-06T18:05:11+00:00' modified: '2026-09-23T18:41:24+00:00' type: page image: 'https://catholiciu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Campus-Ministry.webp' published: true --- # Prison Ministry ##### Catholic International University # Freedom in Truth ## Prison Ministry Program [ Matthew 25:36 → ](https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/donor-form?svcid=renxt&formId=316bb9be-a339-4b8c-8400-2e5db091f745&envid=p-_JQ5bHVRzEGti22371dNkw&zone=usa) ## Guided by Faith, Rooted in Tradition [ Donate Now→ ](#Donate) ## Faith-Based ##### Initiatives Catholic International’s digital prison ministry began with the launch of the first Continuing Education Catechetical course on the Edovo Technology Company’s digital platform: The Gospel of St. Matthew, a multi-lesson course. At that time, Edovo was serving just under 50 prisons. The first report providing statistics on the number of students taking The Gospel of St. Matthew was generated on March 14, 2018, showing that 52 students had taken or were in the process of taking the course. Today, eight years later, the program has expanded to include 119 multi-lesson courses on the Edovo platform, with 29 of those available in Spanish. The number of learners has grown significantly, with 247,849 individuals meaningfully engaging with Catholic International University content since May 2018, averaging approximately 27,539 learners per year. This growth is further reflected in overall engagement across the platform. Since inception, there have been 3,808,685 lessons started and 3,297,663 lessons completed, representing an 87% completion rate. In total, learners have spent 588,152 hours engaging with Catholic International University content. **For more information, reach out to:** **prisonministry@catholiciu.edu** **304-724-5000 ext. 719** ## Milestones in Prison Engagement This expansion has been made possible through collaboration with the Order of Malta, which has supported the creation of many of these courses. Additional offerings include the Gatekeepers Re-Entry program in both English and Spanish, the Stations of the Cross program, and custom content developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the Advent video prison program. Other initiatives supported by the Order of Malta include the Behind the Walls program, the Pen Pal Program, the Digital Rosary, and Quarterly Newsletters. Catholic International has also developed the Hallow Company Audio Series, comprising 208 audio files, and continues to provide content tailored to meet the needs of incarcerated individuals. ![Partnerships](https://catholiciu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Copy-of-Untitled-Design-1-2048x512-1-1024x256.png) “I think a lot about St. Paul’s letter to the Hebrews: ‘Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment.’ Our faith compels us to see the unseen, to love the unloved, and to hope where others have given up.” ![040112 ponticelli 9 151](https://catholiciu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/040112_ponticelli_9-151.jpg) ## Charlotte Ponticelli, MA DIRECTOR Ms. Charlie Ponticelli had a storied 22 year career in the US government, is a member of the Order of Malta and visited the incarcerated as a volunteer for 12 years. She received her MA from New York University in Madrid, Spain. "CIU provides the tools and resources to aid in learning at an adult level the Catholic faith, building what was learned in Catholic school or CCD/OCIA/RCIA. If you want to learn how to live the faith, take these courses!" -Student Testimonial "I really appreciate the opportunity to be taking these lessons. I have an idea that God wants me to be a Catechist for my prison, and our parish priest has encouraged me to take these courses. I am glad there are lessons available on EDOVO now." -Student Testimonial "Thanks to this chance to study the word of God, my feelings of despair have been replaced by a deepening faith that God is with me and will continue to protect me. I now look at each day not as one more day in prison but, instead, as one more day closer to freedom!" -Student Testimonial "Please know that I am truly grateful to everybody at CIU for your commitment to education and the teaching of the Catholic faith. I am an incarcerated person and you, throughout my years of studies with CIU, have treated me with respect and dignity. May God bless you all!" -Student Testimonial ## Support Our Cause ##### Help Us by Donating Now ## Prison ##### Ministry ##### Our Trustworthy Affiliations ![The Association of Theological Schools](https://catholiciu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ats.webp) ![Forbes](https://catholiciu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Forbes.webp) ![Higher learning](https://catholiciu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Higher-learning.webp) ![newman guide](https://catholiciu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/newman-guide.webp) ![vets](https://catholiciu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/vets.webp) ## Get Started At Catholic International Today! [ Apply Now→ ](https://catholiciu.edu/apply/)