Hospitality--Everybody's Ministry

In July, we celebrate the memorial of St. Benedict who is called the “Patriarch of Western Monasticism” because of his influence on monastic communities.  Benedict is well known for his famous Rule, a book of precepts for monastic living.  One of his rules having to do with hospitality is:  “Let all guests who arrive be received like Christ, for he is going to say, ‘I came as a guest, and you received me.’” (Matt. 25:35).

This summer, we are seeing a myriad of guests at our parish.  How do we receive them?   Most Masses are staffed with ministers of hospitality who welcome and greet the faithful.  But, the work of hospitality is the work of the entire community, not just a few.

Here are some ways we can all exercise the ministry of hospitality:

Cultivate the virtue of hospitality.

Reach out to newcomers and unfamiliar faces.  Seek out someone you’ve not met before. Shake their hand, introduce yourself, and take a few moments to welcome them to your parish home, God’s house. 

 Come early, leave late.

Make the effort to come to Mass a little early and linger just a bit later.  Make room in your busy life to greet and spend time with others at Mass, especially people you don’t know.

 Help newcomers connect

While you are getting to know visitors, introduce them to other parishioners as the opportunity presents itself.  Invite visitors to sit next to you.  Practice hospitality in choosing where to sit.  Instead of sitting at the end of the pew, consider moving into the middle, making room for others to sit on the end.

Give visitors information about the parish

After Mass, introduce visitors to the person at the welcome desk. Invite them to share coffee and donuts.  Ensure that a visitor has a bulletin and other information about the parish before they leave.

Remember the passage from Hebrews:  “Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.”