Reach the poor

kids in Jamaica

Missionaries of the Poor homes for boys and girls in lower Kingston, Jamaica

The first and last photos were made by boys in Bethlehem Home for orphans

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I’d heard for years of seeing Christ in others or seeing the face of Jesus in someone, but I didn’t know what they meant. Years ago I asked Father Pecchie whether they meant actually or figuratively. People had used the word seeing, but maybe they meant imagining Jesus.

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When I served our poor sisters and brothers in Kingston, Jamaica, I began to ’see,’ interiorly, Jesus in “the distressing disguise of the poor.”

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When I saw Peter, here, drip-drying after a bath, waiting to be dressed by a Brother, I discerned, with my soul, I suppose, Jesus sitting before me. It may sound odd to you. Let’s say that I detected the presence of God. It was an eye-opening experience (”Open the eyes of my heart, Lord…”).

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Peter doesn’t look like Jesus, does he? He is one of many profoundly retarded or insane or crippled boys who are entirely reliant on others to bathe, powder, clothe and feed them. I toweled him dry and sat with Peter as he patiently looked for a Brother to return with clothes for him, and I felt the presence of Jesus in this meek, mute boy who had been disowned by his family.

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Sheldon is also profoundly retarded and is reliant on his caregivers for everything. While interacting with him and others I felt that these are souls beloved by God who happened to be saddled with crippled bodies and minds due to the sins of others.

Sheldon sometimes looks upward at nothing in particular, it seems. I wondered if he were looking to his guardian angel -or to God.

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These boys don’t have intellects that can converse with me, so I can’t know what they think or how perceive me or their surroundings. Although I thought they are among the most pitiable people, as some have been physically and mentally retarded, or injured by their parents, I ’sensed’ the dignity and beauty of their souls. I loved them and revered them as kindred souls with limited bodies.

André has a pleasant demeanor. He can’t talk, but he can signal that he would like water or juice or lunch or a wheelchair ride.

Omar, and Michael, under the table, are both ambulatory, but they’re insane or mentally-disabled. Omar is outgoing, it seems, while Michael is noticeably withdrawn and silent.