‘Beyond the Peripheries’

Nov. 1, 2024

The extreme poverty and radical charity I witnessed in a Philippine shanty town offered lessons of faith, hope and love

By Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly

Nov. 1, 2024

Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly (Photo by Michael Collopy)

This past August, our supreme chaplain, Archbishop William Lori, and I led a small delegation from the Supreme Council on an official visit to the Philippines. It was wonderful to be there with many of our more than 560,000 brother Knights in the Philippines and to see the inspiring work that they are doing for the good of the Order, the Church and society.

One experience that especially stood out was the day we spent with the ANAK-Tulay Ng Kabataan Foundation, an organization dedicated to serving the vulnerable, the elderly, the hungry and especially the neglected street children of Metro Manila. The foundation is led by Father Matthieu Dauchez, a French-born priest of the Archdiocese of Manila.

The day started with Mass, offered by Archbishop Lori at a facility for the forgotten elderly. From there, Father Matthieu guided us into a large shanty town built on what amounts to an enormous garbage dump. Ironically named “Aroma” for the overpowering smell, it is a place that thousands of men, women and children call home; they survive by scavenging. It’s impossible to describe, but Father Matthieu came close when he called it “beyond the peripheries.” In this seemingly hopeless slum, ANAK-Tnk operates a day care center for young children — a heartwarming oasis in the middle of heartbreaking poverty. The foundation also feeds rescued street children and gives them basic schooling to prepare them for the possibility of formal education.

These children come from the most difficult circumstances imaginable. They have been utterly abandoned. They carry the not-always-hidden wounds that come from rejection and a life on the streets amid crime, drugs, abuse and prostitution. Yet, I will never forget the joyful smiles on their faces. All the children we met that day wanted to shake our hands or to get a blessing from Archbishop Lori.

Father Matthieu and his team of dedicated staff and volunteers provide assistance for their material needs. But this alone is not enough. The most important thing, he insists, is to heal the inner wounds, to address their spiritual suffering. Healing, he told us, comes when they begin to realize — perhaps for the first time in their lives — that they are accepted and loved.

Tulay Ng Kabataan in Tagalog means “A Bridge for the Children.” And that is exactly what Father Matthieu and his heroic co-workers offer — a bridge to a new life. Their answer to suffering is love, compassion, mercy — and the face of Christ. Please pray for them and their invaluable ministry.

Very few of us are called to this kind of radical outreach. But as Christians — and especially as Knights — we are all called to lives of charity, accompanying the vulnerable whom the Lord has put in our path and bringing hope in the midst of darkness. In the words of Mother Teresa, “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”

Very few of us are called to this kind of radical outreach. But as Christians — and especially as Knights — we are all called to lives of charity, accompanying the vulnerable whom the Lord has put in our path.

In a general audience last month, Pope Francis warned against the illusion that material wealth can fulfill our need for happiness and meaning. “True wealth,” he said, “is to be looked upon with love by the Lord and … to love each other by making our life a gift.”

The Holy Father added, “Jesus invites us to risk, to ‘risk love’ … making ourselves attentive to those who are in need and sharing our possessions, not just things, but what we are: our talents, our friendship, our time.”

These are the gifts that we all can share to bring healing to the wounded. This is as true in our own families and communities as it is amid the refuse heaps of Metro Manila.

Vivat Jesus!

‘Beyond the Peripheries’

Related Articles

From the Supreme Knight

Hardwired for Communion

Hardwired for Communion

From the Supreme Knight

‘Witnesses of God’s Tenderness’

‘Witnesses of God’s Tenderness’

From the Supreme Knight

The Grace of Gratitude

The Grace of Gratitude

From the Supreme Knight

2025 Annual Report of the Supreme Knight

2025 Annual Report of the Supreme Knight

From the Supreme Knight

Walking Together in Charity

Walking Together in Charity

From the Supreme Knight

In Solidarity With Peter

In Solidarity With Peter

From the Supreme Knight

Making Room for Grace

Making Room for Grace

From the Supreme Knight

Our Patriotic Duty

Our Patriotic Duty