By Fr. Christopher Kubat
Last week, I traveled to St. Louis for the annual meeting of the Equestrian Order of the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre. Early the first day, I decided to go for a jog on the trail in front of the hotel next to the St. Louis Arch.
After rising, I prayed for some mental enlightenment because I knew I needed to write my Seedlings column! I prayed with confidence because the Lord always answers this weekly prayer. The added bonus was that this trail is near the Basilica of St. Louis, King of France. Since it was open for early morning Mass, I was able to make a visit.
Running around the track (albeit slowly), I spied a young man sitting on one of the concrete benches. I noticed that his head was bowed down low. Since it was a beautiful morning there were others walking and running, many right past this young man.
After my half-hour run, I felt inspired to say hello and start up a conversation. As I sat down next to him, I immediately noticed a scar on his left temple, obviously not from the hands of a surgeon. It looked like a scar that formed after sustaining an injury from some sort of a weapon. His clothes were old and well worn. 
“I am Victor,” he said. I introduced myself as Father Chris. He seemed friendly and articulate.
I quickly learned he was 28 and homeless, living at a nearby shelter. I also learned that he traveled to St. Louis from the south side of Chicago, I surmised to escape violence and dysfunction. He has not seen any family members for years and has lost any contact.
After further questioning, he did not seem interested in obtaining a job. Ironically, we were a stone’s throw away from workmen building a new welcome center for the arch. I explained that work is a wonderful thing, allowing someone to be active and productive, while making money to obtain a place to stay.
The most tragic thing in Victor’s life was that he grew up without any religious instruction, and as a man closing in on his 30s, he knows nothing about God his Father, or His Son Jesus Christ our Savior, not to mention God the Holy Spirit.
After planting a few seeds about the faith, I pointed to the nearby chapel which was open and said, “It is inside there you will find peace.”
I mentioned that in Nebraska, it is my job to help homeless people just like him. It is in our chapels that many homeless men and women like Victor are consoled by our Eucharistic Lord. This is key for some in their journey out of homelessness. I explained that my concern is not just helping people like him on this earth with their material needs but to help them get to heaven.
After a blessing, I promised him my prayers. His last words to me were, “Bye, Father Chris!”
How do we save souls? By loving them one at a time while planting seeds of faith in the ones God places in our midst.
Please pray for our outreach effort to the homeless in the Diocese of Lincoln, under the patronage of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for Victor, and us!
