John Sage, the founder of Bridges to Life, was honored on Sept. 27 with the 2024 Vincentian Charism Award, presented by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. 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, John Sage’s life and his creation of Bridges to Life have followed a path aligned with the Vincentian spirit of service and healing.
A Journey Rooted in Tragedy and Transformation
John 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. As he shared, “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.” Like many who experience such profound trauma, John 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 John’s mission. Sister Eileen Haynes, director of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, affirmed this, saying, “You are a witness to us as you strive to instill hope, change hearts, and heal the brokenhearted.”
Through his personal journey of healing, John 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.
Bridges to Life: 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 John 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 allow 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,” Rolly added, underscoring the timeless relevance of John’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. As John himself noted, “I don’t think God orchestrates these bad things, 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.
Inspiring Leadership in Action
John’s leadership has transformed countless lives, both inside and outside prison walls. He models the kind of leadership that St. Vincent de Paul himself lived—a leadership that goes beyond merely managing people and resources, instead inspiring others to perform works of mercy. “John is inspiring leadership of others to perform works of mercy in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul,” Rolly explained, capturing the essence of why John’s work resonates so deeply with the Vincentian tradition.
One of the most profound elements of Bridges to Life is its commitment to showing up—week after week, volunteers meet with prisoners for 14-week-long sessions. This consistency, grounded in love, is what begins the process of transformation. As John reflected, it’s love that opens the door to talk about faith. And from love and faith comes hope, something the incarcerated have been without.
A Legacy of Mercy, Faith, and Hope
Receiving the 2024 Vincentian Charism Award is a testament to John Sage’s dedication to living out the principles of mercy and justice that are at the heart of the Vincentian tradition. Sister Eileen Haynes thanked John for his ministry, acknowledging his faithfulness to God’s call: “Thank you for your ministry. For following where God has called you throughout the years.”
For John, the path hasn’t been easy, but it has been one of purpose. His ability to surrender fully to God’s will and embrace humility has allowed him to turn a personal tragedy into a source of healing for thousands. Through Bridges to Life, he continues to live out St. Vincent’s call to serve, to love, and to transform lives.
