Misioneros de San Francisco evangelize by serving the homeless

By Javier Cervantes

PHOTO: Members of the Misioneros de San Francisco pull a wagon and cooler through the snow during one of their regular monthly food distributions. (Photo courtesy of Javier Cervantes) 

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep." (Jn 21:17)

For the past year or so, a group of men from Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish have been working together on a monthly distribution of food and clothing to the homeless community in Colorado Springs. These men are doing what Pope Francis calls each of us to do — leaving the safety and comfort of the walls of their parish church and walking the streets and trails of Colorado Springs spreading the word of God — in short, evangelization.  And the beauty of it is that they will do it without a word, without quoting a Bible verse, without hours of study or a deep understanding or knowledge of theology.  They will live the scriptures by serving the most marginalized in our society; they will walk among the homeless of Colorado Springs. 

The Misioneros de San Francisco, as they call themselves, take their name from St Francis of Assisi.  The group was the brainchild of a parishioner who saw the need and decided to take action.  He recruited a couple of other parishioners, and the group quickly expanded to two dozen, ranging in age from 13 to mid-60s; most are in their 30s and 40s. As of today, they are mostly Hispanics, immigrants not only to Colorado Springs but many to the United States.  They are not wealthy men or from well-off families; most work in construction, landscaping or other back-breaking labor during the week, yet they make time to feed the Lord’s sheep on Saturday.  They dream of someday providing a warm meal every Saturday of the month, spreading hope to those who feel themselves hopeless.

They meet on Mondays to plan out that month’s campaign to spread hope in the form of food, warm socks, gloves, clothes or jackets. They collect donations and also give from their own limited pockets.  Although the goal is to provide a meal that is nutritious and comforting, sometimes it consists of something as simple as a doughnut. But who can say “no” to a smile and a doughnut, especially if accompanied by a hot cup of coffee on a cold Colorado morning?  Past meals have consisted of homemade breakfast burritos, or hamburgers.  One gentleman, as he took a bite of his burger, declared that it was the best burger he’d ever eaten. 

On the designated Saturday each month, the group of volunteers come together to prepare the meal, pack it all up and get it ready for distribution. Wearing their Capuchin brown hoodies emblazoned with their logo, the Misioneros split into groups and hit the trails and known locations where those in need live. 

When asked why they do this, the Misioneros often respond that they came to this great nation of ours without resources; they had left home and family with nothing but hope and a deep desire to work. They each managed to carve out the necessities of life, families, homes, work, all while growing their faith. They are each at a point in their lives where they see that giving back to the land that gave them the opportunity to progress is what they are called to do. 

If you are reading this, it is very likely that you are Catholic and so are also called to evangelize.  You too are called to step away from the confines of your parish church and walk among Christ’s sheep, to feed and tend them just as St. Peter was called to do.  So, if you hear the call, that little voice of the Holy Spirit telling you that you too have a place to work, reach out.  The group of missionaries at Our Lady of Guadalupe will gladly give you work.  If you want to build a group in your parish, they can walk you through the process and integrate your group into the schedule. Just as the Knights of Columbus began by meeting the needs of immigrant families new to this nation, the Misioneros de San Francisco, immigrants, now strive to reach out to meet the needs of those around them with a dream to, one day, meet the needs of this nation and beyond.

(Javier Cervantes is Director of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Colorado Springs. For more information on the Misioneros de San Francisco, contact Ramón González at 719-460-5182.)