London: Simon Community welcomes Congregatio Jesu Novice

Charlotte's selfie with Simon Community friends at Battersea Power Station

CJ novice, Charlotte Cummins, reflects on her experience living in the Simon Community London.

"To meet Christ in the poor; to meet the poor Christ." With this aim in mind, I landed in London from my noviciate in Vienna and moved into the Simon Community as a live-in volunteer. Conscious that this could all become a little voyeuristic, I decided to approach the experience as one being welcomed into the home of strangers, thankful that they would receive me. Within hours of settling into 129 Malden Road, Camden, I was whisked into central London for a community meeting where practical issues of Covid hygiene and dealing with abusive behaviour were discussed in an open and sensible manner. It was immediately obvious that everyone in this community has a voice and is encouraged to speak; all are welcome.

Participating in streetwork was at the heart of my placement with Simon. From the making of sandwiches and visit to Wenzels, to the camaraderie and companionship with other volunteers and the warmth and welcome of our guests, I simply loved this time. Whilst I have worked in soup kitchens in Bath (where I was a teacher and deputy head) and in Vienna (where I am a novice with the Congregatio Jesu), going out three nights a week allowed me to immerse more quickly into this work and to get to know people a little.

So much was unknown before I came to Simon and I was quite nervous about what I might be faced with on the streets of London but, whilst there have been moments of sadness or concern, I have also been struck by the kindness and warmth of the street community. I was deeply moved by one young homeless man who was looking after a newly homeless older lady, seeking us out to get a sleeping bag and trying to find her a safe place to sleep - an angel in disguise, thanking us for what we were doing when he was doing so much more. Another humbling moment came the day after my birthday when I was greeted by our guests wishing me many happy returns - word spreads quickly on the streets!

My noviciate experience is an opportunity for me to discern a vocation to religious life and to consider my deepest identity as a child of God. As birthday cards arrived for Sr Charlotte and the question was asked, "Are you already a sister then?", I found living in the resident community helpful in trying to find an answer. What does it mean to be a religious sister here? Well, I could be with people, listen to their stories, have fun (I am currently reigning champion at Flickin' Chicken) and cook some hearty food, trying to use as much of the donated bread as possible! With our many different backgrounds, we could be as family to one another; for me, a vision of God's Kingdom.

One of the reasons I am attracted to Ignatian Spirituality, the charism of my community, is that it encourages people to find God in all things and to encounter Christ as he really is in the Gospels. In the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius, a 30-day retreat, one is asked to pray with Christ from the Incarnation to the Resurrection noticing how he loves and lives with people, who he speaks to, what he says, and what he might be saying to each of us today. Christ was poor and homeless, he chose not to be self-sufficient and he encouraged his disciples to entrust themselves into the care of whoever made them welcome. This was the welcome that the Simon Community gave to me.

Hearing the names of the homeless who have died in the past 12 months called out in the Service of Commemoration at St Martin-in-the-Fields was not only moving on a human level but also a reminder of the value of each person in the eyes of God. Every evening before streetwork I would go to St Dominic's Priory to sit in silence and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament and to attend Mass; a chance for me to reflect on the day and to prepare for the night ahead. Then, filled with the Eucharist, I could try to be Christ to others.

Although each member of the Simon Community would describe this in different ways, what I saw there was a lived example of the words of St Teresa of Avila: Christ has no body but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world, yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world. This comes in many different guises from full-time workers and part-time volunteers, residents to trustees, each person offers what they can to build up this community and stand alongside others.

I am very aware that I only dipped into this life for a very short time and I feel a deep admiration and respect for Rachel and her team who are there day in, day out for people, even in the most difficult circumstances, showing them love and dignity. I am extremely thankful that they accepted me into their home and feel deep joy that I am part of the Simon Community. And did I encounter Christ? Yes, for sure, in the face and hands and heart of each person I was privileged to meet.

Read more about the Simon Community here: www.simoncommunity.org.uk