O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel;
qui aperis, et nemo claudit;
claudis, et nemo aperit:
veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris,
sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.
O Key of David and scepter of the House of Israel;
you open and no one can shut;
you shut and no one can open:
Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house,
those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David;
he shall open, and no one shall shut;
he shall shut, and no one shall open.
(Isaiah 22:22)
A woman who leads prisoners out from the shadow of death:
Top Image: Undated medieval illumination
Thumbnail: Sister Helen Prejean; founder of the Death Penalty Moratorium Campaign and SURVIVE, photo by Paul Haring, Catholic News Service