A Description of the Apostolate & Guide

Our Mission
In the last several years, there has been a growing effort by dioceses, parishes and lay apostolates to send out committed Catholics to walk their local neighborhoods in search of Christ’s lost sheep.  Some programs have gone to the doorstep to invite lapsed Catholics back to the faith, while other ministries, such as St. Paul Street Evangelization, have provided apologetics and Christian witness in prominent public spaces.  After some trial and error, we have chosen to walk the grittier neighborhoods, where drug use and prostitution are common.  We often go into homeless camps and heroin dens, hoping to evangelize by reflecting the image of the good God.  We bring with us rolling coolers full of drinks, hot food, gloves, socks, warmers, snacks, rosaries and religious literature.  We befriend those we meet and care for them as we can.  Many passers-by witness our care for those on the streets, and are attracted to our Christian witness.  In this way we evangelize after our spiritual patron, Blessed Charles de Foucauld, who pursued "an apostolate of goodness".  

Who are we?
We are a group of lay men (and the occasional lady) under the spiritual patronage of Blessed Charles de Foucauld who bring the presence of Christ to the secular city through prayer and street evangelization.  We wear a short tunic (half-way down the thigh) with the dark red Iesus Caritas (“Jesus Loves”) symbol (a cross coming out of the Sacred Heart).  We engage in this volunteer ministry as a complement to our other vocations and responsibilities.  In Oregon, we walk with the blessing of our bishop, Archbishop Sample.


What do we do?
We walk the streets of metropolitan areas to offer a humble, welcoming presence to those whom God puts in our path. We have a special love for the homeless, ex-cons and addicts.  We pray as we walk (sometimes even in song), do spiritual reading, enjoy fellowship, and evangelize and comfort those who wish to talk to us.  We walk all year round, in good weather and bad.  In the warmer months, we evangelize more, spending most of our time talking to old friends and making new ones.  In the colder months we focus a little more on relieving the suffering of our homeless friends.  While we spend most of our time talking to the poorest and most neglected, we've had remarkable encounters with people from all walks of life.

Our presence has proven to be an edifying example to many passers-by.  Many secular people appreciate our ministry to addicts and the homeless, and find themselves re-evaluating their beliefs about the Catholic Church.  Many Catholics see us and are gratified to see other Catholics out there representing the faith.  We've also had many heart-warming conversations with protestants--even when those conversations started out rocky.  Apologetics conversations are rare, but we immensely enjoy them when they happen.  

Why Blessed Charles de Foucauld?
Blessed Charles de Foucauld was a late nineteenth century priest and monk who went out into the desert of North Africa to bring Christ to a region that had forgotten him.  He was mindful of the limits of preaching and apologetics, and believed that radiating Christ—becoming another Christ, a little Christ—was the surest way to win hearts.  For Christians, the desert has often symbolized the land parched for Christ’s life-giving water, and hence the abode of demons.  If you walk the streets long enough you will conclude that our cities in the West have become the desert.  They seemingly offer everything and value everything except the one thing necessary: to sit, listen and adore the Lord.

Sometimes we think that we choose our patron saints, but in fact they first choose us, and we then gladly accept their hand.  Blessed Charles has given us this apostolate, and urges us on in a spirit of humility and love.   Moreover, his "Iesus Caritas" symbol is a wonderful icebreaker for those whose hearts have grown cold.

Matthew Manint’s website has some fine resources on Blessed Charles—especially the free e-book by Rene Bazin:

Who can Join?  How do I Join?
Any Catholic who is fit to travel sidewalks for hours at a time, who has a love for poor sinners, and who desires to grow in holiness is welcome.  It is my experience that each person brings different gifts, and these gifts are joined together (in Christ's body) to make us more effective conduits of grace.  It is necessary to have a rich sacramental life (monthly confession, frequent reception of the Holy Eucharist) so that Christ may live in you, and so that others may see Him in you.

If you are reasonably certain that you are called to this ministry then simply drop me an email at swoltze@gmail.com.  For those in the Pacific Northwest, we can get together in person.  For those outside of the region I would first refer you to St. Paul Street Evangelization as an excellent venue for evangelization.  But if you really need to wander around--rain or shine, snow or heat--in a tunic, mixing with the most neglected, then drop me a line.

Some Common Questions

Q. Why a tunic?  A.  It’s a uniform of sorts and serves the same function as the dark pants and white shirts of Mormon missionaries.  It signals who you are and why you are here, and it invites people to approach you.  We are instantly recognizable in our tunics and our friends on the street can spot us and come greet us.  The tunic also protects us in the midst of illegal activity (amidst prostitution, drug use and even in drug houses) without inciting suspicion.  The Sacred Heart symbol we wear also helps us to play the peacemaker when little conflicts occur.  We have also had several people on the streets who have shed tears upon seeing us and the symbol of the Sacred Heart.

Q. How is this different from St. Paul Street Evangelization?  A.  We usually focus more on the run-down areas (high rates of prostitution, drug use) and working poor neighborhoods.  We practice corporal works of mercy as we walk, distributing cold drinks in the hot months, and and food and warmers in the cold months.  This ministry is also a little more focused on fellowship, prayer and penance, and a little less focused on apologetics.



A Little Guide to Walking the Streets
Urban Missionaries of the Heart of Christ




What to Bring

Pen and small note pad
Rosaries (one to pray, others to give away)
A rolling cooler with food or drink
The "I Thirst" card with prayer meditation and our contact info
A thin book for spiritual reading
Tuck a few sheets of music into the book
Maybe even bring this little guide

I also keep a few books in the car that I can later retrieve to give away.

Our Dress

A wool tunic works best.  Preferably wool coating: a thick, strong wool fabric used for suit coats.  It will last for many years.  It is surprisingly cool in the summer and warm enough in the winter.

In the warm months I wear our Urban Missionaries t-shirt underneath my tunic (to keep the sweat off my tunic), long shorts and either hiking or running shoes.

In the cold or wet months I wear our Urban Missionaries hoodie under the tunic, rain resistant pants (like for running or hiking), and either shoes or boots.  In the winter, I prefer to go without a jacket and hat, and just walk shorter routes.

Let a large rosary hang from your wrist at all times so people will know you are Catholic.  Wood and cord rosaries hold up better in the elements.


What to Expect in the Warmer Months

Plan on a 2-4 hour walk.  That may sound like a short time, but it is sufficient for an extensive walk with much conversation and prayer.  You will find that your faculties are tired after that time—especially if you are walking alone. Bring a rolling cooler full of cold Gatorade and water.  Offer a free drink to passers-by who might be interested.  Feeding the thirsty is a corporal work of mercy and it serves as an ice-breaker for a conversation.  We usually run out of free drinks halfway through our walks.  Offer a rosary to those who might be receptive, along with a Divine Mercy card or a guide to saying the rosary.  We usually talk to so many people that we are gratified to have a little quiet prayer time afterwards.

What to Expect in the Colder Months

Plan on a two hour walk.  Walk in every kind of weather, as some of the most remarkable encounters happen on the most unlikely days.  If the weather is bad, offer it up as a sacrifice.  Bring a cooler with hot coffee or warm food (hot dogs, cheeseburgers, soup, stew, etc), perhaps hand warmers and wool socks.  Offer items as you walk along, praying your favorite devotions.  Lift up all of the people you've met to the merciful gaze of Jesus Christ.

Regardless of the time of year, you'll find that some days people are friendly and polite, and other days they seem more aloof or skeptical.  Some days you’ll have remarkable encounters that lay bare the triumph of God’s grace, and other days are less eventful.  Once in a while you’ll feel like an unwelcome guest and will have to take refuge in prayer and reading (especially if you are "breaking-in" a new neighborhood for the first time).

“They will bring salvation by practicing virtue, by penance and prayer, and by a charity that sees in every human being only a member of Jesus to lavish with favors and lead to Heaven.  This is the immense and all-embracing charity that must shine out from the Fraternity as it shone from the Sacred Heart of Jesus.”  --Blessed Charles de Foucauld


Walking Alone or with a Fellow Missionary

The ministry is effective whether walking alone or with others, but we should be mindful of our Lord’s promise: “When two or more are gathered in my name, I am there.”  Walking in twos or threes creates a greater spiritual witness, and that's the central reason our Lord sent out the seventy-two in pairs.  But our spiritual patron, Blessed Charles, was largely alone in his ministry, and we know that the Lord has done great things through him.

The dynamic of walking the streets alone is very different than if in pairs.  If walking alone you should focus on maintaining a prayerful spirit of recollection, rest in the Lord and let him use you as circumstances permit.  Do spiritual reading or pray the rosary or divine mercy chaplet as you walk.  It puts people at ease as you approach them since they see that you are doing something (it allays their fear that you are going to pounce on them like a salesman!).  But be present to them as they approach, and smile and make eye contact—recognizing them as God’s little children.  Offer them a Gatorade or a rosary if you feel called to do so.  Offering such a little gift usually opens them up to share.

When you walk with others, you will be joined more in a spirit of fraternity than a spirit of recollection.  That spirit of friendship seems to put passers-by at ease, and so you will find it is easier to have meaningful encounters when walking in pairs or in a group.  It's good to share your stories and thoughts with your partner, but make sure you don't neglect to pray or do a little spiritual reading.

Whether you walk alone or with others, find good spots to sit where passers-by will see you.  Offer a humble, welcoming presence as people pass.


Walking the streets


Be courteous and humble with foot and car traffic.  Even when you have the right of way, jog across the intersection if a car is waiting for you to cross.

Always be aware of your surroundings.  Try to keep one eye on the things around you and the other eye on our Lord.


Where to Walk

Walk the main thoroughfares, and major side streets.
The most promising areas to walk are mixed business and residential neighborhoods.  Purely residential neighborhoods—like suburban developments—have very little foot traffic.  On the other hand, people in business districts are usually focused on work or errands and are less open to conversation.  I have found that blue collar and working poor neighborhoods are the most welcoming, as are immigrant neighborhoods.  In the city center (the retail and restaurant district) the streets are more crowded and people are in a hurry, but it can bear fruit if you are in pairs and find a good spot to stay a while.  Don’t linger at bus stops as people may justly resent it.

It is important to become a familiar sight in the neighborhood.  People are more comfortable speaking with you if they’ve seen you around before.  So be a consistent presence in the neighborhoods that you have chosen.  In time, you will come to have affection for even run-down areas because you will recognize them as your mission ground, and because Jesus has a special love for the people there.  If you regularly walk an area with drug abuse and prostitution it may subtly wear you down (especially if you walk alone).  Make sure you refresh yourself by also visiting more faith-filled areas.

“To save us, God came to us, mingled with us, lived with us in the closest, most familiar contact…He continues to come to us, to mingle with us, to live with us in the closest contact, every day and at any hour in the Eucharist.  Therefore, we must, in order to work for the salvation of souls, go to them, mingle with them, and live with them in close and familiar contact.”  --Blessed Charles de Foucauld


Encounters

Maintain a peaceful, recollected disposition and let Christ show Himself through you.
Welcome all who pass with a smile and a friendly nod.
Always put aside prayer or reading if a person wishes to speak with you.
Walk slowly.  Often people need to work up the courage to speak to you.
If it looks as though someone is trying to find the courage to strike up a conversation, stop walking or conversing with your partner and be present.
Break the ice by offering a cold drink (if it is a hot day).  Some people want to talk with you, but don't know what to say.  Gently lead out their thoughts.


In Conversation

Many people are content to just offer a quick word.  Be content with what the Holy Spirit gives you, and don’t try to force a conversation.
Listen more than you talk.  It is a sign of humility.  Some people are just looking for compassion, and an opportunity to share their trials.  Be aware of the range of local social services for the homeless, mentally ill, or the poor.  Usually the needy are already aware and have already contacted social service agencies, though they may not have found satisfaction due to limited resources.
Direct people to healthy, local parishes that will give them spiritual sustenance.  Also recommend Catholic radio, and dependable websites and other media.  Offer a free book to those who want to know more.

Once in a while people just want to advance their polemics: whether as secular humanists, evangelicals, fundamentalists or Jehovah’s Witness.  They usually discover that they have reasons to respect us and maybe even like us.
In order to turn them around: (1) Don’t raise your voice.  (2) Beware of “winning the argument but losing the soul.” (3) If people abuse you respond with a humble smile like St. Francis.
(4) If people ask about controversial aspects of the faith (Hell, demons, abortion, fornication, the Petrine office, the Real Presence, sacramental confession), never deny the words of our Lord but gently affirm Church teaching.  When talking to atheists, especially speak with conviction about supernatural realities.  When talking to Evangelicals, emphasize what we have in common, and respect their Christian witness.  Many are former Catholics who were not fed in their former parishes, and so be patient when they air their grievances.  Rely on your knowledge of the Bible when speaking with Evangelicals and fundamentalists.

You will witness illegal behavior such as drug use, drug dealing and prostitution.  Remember that you are a representative for Christ and not law enforcement.  Do not interfere.  Pray for them and look on them with love.

If you have a memorable encounter, write down the person's name and some important facts about them.  Keep a list--an intercession roll--of all your encounters so that you will remember them in your prayers.

“They will carry everyone in their hearts, even the most wicked, taking Jesus’ Heart for their model; they will be friends to one and all in order to be saviors to one and all.”   --Blessed Charles de Foucauld


Follow Up

If you establish a rapport with someone, continue the relationship!  Seek them out whenever you are walking their neighborhood.  Invite them to your parish if you think it is a good fit.
Continue the faith walk with them as they explore the faith (whether RCIA, or chats over coffee or a beer).  Their walk will probably be bumpy and require patience.  A Catholic parish can be a lonely place for a newcomer; young men can especially feel isolated and apart.


Prayer

Speak confidently to the angels and saints.  They are with you.  Ask for their wisdom and courage.  In particular, ask for the aid of those saints who have done similar work, especially St. Phillip Neri.  Blessed Charles de Foucauld has the apostolate under his direct care, but also pray to the founders and saints of the mendicant orders—the Franciscans and Dominicans.  They were active in walking and spreading the faith from town to town.  Ask Sts. Dominic, Francis, Anthony of Padua as well as lesser-known saints like Joseph of Cupertino and Vincent Ferrer for their intercession.  You might also invoke those saints dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (which we wear on our chests): St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and Blessed Claude de la Colombiere.


Chant

Sometimes sing softly in prayer.  It is always pleasing to God and the angels and saints, and singing well is “praying twice” (according to St. Augustine).  It also helps build a spirit of fraternity.  Many people—especially the young—are attracted to more traditional practices such as chant since they seem like a more authentic expression of the faith.  Also, the demons really do hate Latin (since it is the language of the Church, and has been their scourge in ages past), and especially Latin in chant.  Some simple, beautiful chant to practice: Veni Creator Spiritus, Adoro te Devote, Asperges Me, Salve Regina, Ave Maria, Regina Caeli, and the Missa de Angelis forms of the Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus and Agnus Dei.
Hymns and Christmas carols (in season) are good, too.


A Sign of Contradiction

Every person who passes us is our audience, and not just those who wish to speak to us.  Some Christian brothers and sisters will find comfort in our presence as they pass by in their cars.  But for others, our presence is a sign of contradiction in an era that seeks to push God out of public view.  Our presence is a reminder of the permanence and inescapability of Christ and His Good News (after all, at death all will be known), and it is also a sign of the importance of prayer and recollection.  God is found in the “still, small voice”, and our presence reminds people of a quieter, more reflective way of living.

Be humble when you stand as a sign of contradiction.  Christ was a sign of contradiction before Pilate and Herod, and in each case He was silent.  All has been given us by grace and so we have little to claim as our own.  Moreover, to passers-by we might look like fools, and so embrace your foolishness as for Christ.  Your ministry will only bear fruit if you are able to laugh at your self.


Penance

A central part of this ministry is offering yourself as a small sacrifice for the kingdom of God.  You will occasionally share in Christ’s rejection as others despise you for His sake, or for what they take your faith to be.  You will be tired and stiff after some walks, and maybe even very cold or hot.  The ministry will place you at the center of the daily spiritual combat that carries on around us, and that itself is a penance.  While we seek atonement for our own sins, our Lord is also seeking faithful souls to offer reparation for those who “do not hope, do not love and do not adore him”.

We wear the Sacred Heart of Jesus on our tunics, and His Heart is wounded for lack of love.  I encourage you to read Pope Pius XI’s classic encyclical on “Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Miserentissimus Redemptor)”.  Bring it with you on your walk and reflect upon it.  It can be found here: http://www.ewtn.com/library/encyc/p11miser.htm

You might also listen to this homily on reparation by Dom Mark Kirby OSB:
http://cenacleosb.podbean.com/e/the-solemnity-of-reparation/

“My work here is, alas, only a work of preparation, a first clearing of the ground.  I start by bringing Jesus in the midst of them…a prayer, the prayer of Holy Church however wretched may be the one who offers it.”  --Blessed Charles de Foucauld

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