by Margaret Haik
Special to The Leaven
LEAVENWORTH — John Sage, the founder of Bridges to Life, was honored on Sept. 28 with the 2024 Vincentian Charism Award, presented by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth here. This award recognizes individuals who embody the charism of St. Vincent de Paul — namely, compassion for the poor and marginalized, a commitment to justice and transformative works of mercy.
In many ways, Sage’s life and his creation of Bridges to Life have followed a path aligned with the Vincentian spirit of service and healing.
Tragedy and transformation
Sage’s life changed forever in 1993 when his sister Marilyn was tragically murdered. This devastating event sent him spiraling into grief, anger and a deep sense of loss.
“When you look evil that close in the eye, when it touches someone you love, it’s an experience I wouldn’t wish on anyone,” he said.
Like many who experience such profound trauma, Sage had to find a way through the darkness. After five difficult years, he began to see a path forward by seeking God’s will, a journey that would eventually lead to the founding of Bridges to Life.
While the Vincentian charism calls for addressing the needs of the marginalized, it also asks for the deeper healing of the brokenhearted — something central to Sage’s mission.
Through his personal journey of healing, Sage realized that his calling was to help others who had also been impacted by crime. In 1998, he founded Bridges to Life, a restorative justice program designed to bring together crime victims and offenders for dialogue, understanding and transformation.
Since then, the program has operated in over 200 prisons across 17 states and seven countries, with more than 83,000 participants having completed the program.
A Vincentian response to injustice
The work of Bridges to Life exemplifies the Vincentian charism by offering mercy and healing where there is pain and division. As Rolly Dessert, a Sisters of Charity Associate who nominated Sage for the award, described, “As Mother Xavier Ross would say, John Sage is an example of ‘the good that is yet to be.’”
This vision is realized through the organization’s restorative justice efforts, which makes it possible for offenders to understand the impact of their actions and give victims a voice in the healing process. It is work deeply connected to the values of St. Vincent de Paul, whose mission was rooted in mercy, humility and service.
“St. Vincent would admire John Sage for his work,” said Dessert, underscoring the timeless relevance of Sage’s mission. The organization’s impact is impressive: 4,000 volunteers, 25% of whom are crime victims themselves, have served with Bridges to Life, showing the power of love, faith and forgiveness in restoring lives.
Sage himself sees God’s hand at work in the program.
“I don’t think God orchestrates these bad things,” said Sage, “but he gets involved once they’ve happened.”
This belief is at the core of his work — God’s love and mercy shine through in the program’s efforts to rehabilitate the incarcerated and bring comfort to those affected by crime.
The results have transformed countless lives, both inside and outside prison walls.
“John is inspiring leadership of others to perform works of mercy in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul,” explained Dessert.
Sister Eileen Haynes, director of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, agreed.
“You are a witness to us,” she told Sage, “as you strive to instill hope, change hearts and heal the brokenhearted.”
A legacy of mercy, faith and hope
One of the most profound elements of Bridges to Life is its commitment to simply showing up: Week after week, volunteers meet with prisoners for 14 weeklong sessions. This consistency, grounded in love, is what begins the process of transformation.
As Sage said, it’s love that opens the door to talk about faith. And from love and faith comes hope, something the incarcerated have been without.
The selection of Sage as the recipient of the 2024 Vincentian Charism Award is a testament to his dedication to living out the principles of mercy and justice that are at the heart of the Vincentian tradition, said Sister Eileen.
In thanking him for his work, she acknowledged his faithfulness to God’s call: “Thank you for your ministry.
“For following where God has called you throughout the years.”
