The Beauty of Being Called to Serve

While on a pilgrimage to Italy focused on Christian unity with the Steuben County Festival Choir, fellow Chicago Region member Suzanne Nelson, DM, and I found ourselves with an unexpected free day. We were originally scheduled to attend the Mass at St. Peter’s Square being celebrated by Pope Leo. Due to his unexpected and thankfully successful surgery, he was not the celebrant, so the group did not attend.

Although there is no shortage of things to do in Rome, what initially seemed like a disappointment turned into a wonderful and unexpected opportunity to live out our vocation as members of the Order of Malta. Through Suzanne's connection with Giancarlo Rosati of the Order's Rome Region, we were invited to join fellow knights and dames in serving lunch at one of their kitchens in the city.

Giancarlo picked us up, brought us to a nearby church to pray and then to the kitchen, where he showed us the operation of the facility. Learning the procedures was a bit of a challenge because Suzanne and I were the only English speakers there. However, using hand gestures, many of them Italian, and Google Translate, we figured out our assignments.

Learning their procedures was eye opening. Each person served must present a voucher to receive a meal. The vouchers are distributed through local churches. Many of these churches require the recipient to attend Mass before the voucher is issued, thus providing them both with food for the body and for the spirit. At the door (my job), the voucher is presented, and a numbered ticket is given. At this sitting, 40 lunches were to be served. The food had plenty of Italian zest and flair. Three courses, including pasta, fish or meat, and a dessert, were served. I can see why this kitchen is a favorite of its patrons.

The real beauty of being given this opportunity to serve was that, despite a language barrier, the people we were serving were just as appreciative in their body language, expressions, and gestures as those we serve at our home kitchen in Chicago. We were connecting in ways more powerful than language. We were also connecting with our fellow knights and dames from different parts of the world, forgetful of ourselves. At the end of the service, we concluded with the following prayer for Pope Leo: Orémus pro Pontifice nostr Lenoe Dóminus consérvet eum, Et vivificet eum, Et beátum fáciat eum in terra, Et non tradat eum in ánimam inimicórum éius.

What started out as a disappointment in not getting to see the Holy Father turned out to be a bigger blessing in the end. The Lord certainly had his plans for us that day, and I am grateful for having another opportunity to see the beauty in the service we do with the Order of Malta.