Spiritual Care Unit (SCU)
The Mobile Confessional…
allows confessions on the geaux! In response to Pope Francis’ announcement of the Year of Mercy in 2016, the Community of Jesus Crucified introduced the Spiritual Care Unit, a converted ambulance with a ready supply of holy cards, rosaries, and even holy water. The idea is to make mercy more accessible. As of December 12, 2019, the SPU traveled 18,787 miles in search of souls, heard 863 hours of confessions, made 352 stops, and heard 8,298 confessions.
Ambulance Converted to Confessional
“The outside remains red and white so it appears like an ambulance, but this vehicle offers assistance of a different kind. The Latin words ‘Misericordiae Vultus,”’which mean the ‘Face of Mercy,’ are written on the side, and a painting of Jesus graces the door.
‘The Latin words relate to Pope Francis’ letter calling for a Holy Year of Mercy,’ Champagne said. ‘So (the painting of) Christ is the face of the father’s mercy. That’s what we want to do is put forward that face of mercy.’”