MONROE — Every Saturday morning, the Missionaries of the Poor (MOP) brothers open their monastery doors to the community for prayer, adoration, music and fellowship.
Brother Fidel Rukundo, Brother Raphael Kanguti and Brother Rudy Beribe have plenty of smiles, hugs and blessings to go around, and thanks to volunteers from St. Luke Parish in Mint Hill and St. Matthew Parish in Ballantyne, the food is plentiful as well.
The monastery is the only MOP mission in the United States, and it ministers to immigrants and those most vulnerable. The religious community established the mission 16 years ago, when then-Bishop Peter Jugis met MOP Founder Father Ho Lung and invited him to visit the Diocese of Charlotte.
Many regular visitors are Hispanic parishioners from neighboring Our Lady of Lourdes Church, some of whom visited the brothers when they were young and now bring with their own young children.
Others come because they’re hungry, need a hot meal, some extra bread from the food pantry or a listening ear.
Saturday begins around 10 a.m., when the crowd forms a procession line and streams into the little chapel for prayer and adoration. Afterward, the line leaves the chapel singing and processing around the monastery. Afterward, everyone enjoys a hot meal served by church volunteers.
This Saturday, St. Matthew volunteers brought a feast of chicken, rice, salad, watermelon, bread, lemonade and cookies.
Volunteer coordinator Chrissy Wilson has served here for the past 15 years and finds the brothers’ monastery a place filled with comfort and love.
“We started this when my kids were little, and I knew it was a great family opportunity,” Wilson said. “Once a month we serve, and it is just a peaceful setting where the brothers pray with us.
Now, my kids are at college and beyond, but I am still here.”
No one goes home empty-handed, as the food pantry is always stocked with enough fresh bread and pastries for everyone to bring a bag or two home. The brothers have a large garden and a chicken coop and often give the eggs and vegetables they harvest to guests.
The brothers only serve a meal on Saturday, but all are welcome at 7:00 p.m. Mondays for a community Mass, which is presided over by multiple, alternating priests from the Diocese of Charlotte. Come visit -- 1403 Griffith Road, Monroe, NC 28112.
— Lisa Geraci
