Companions of Malta serve 150 homeless each week at London café

London, England, Jan 25, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

A leading Catholic religious order and charity is feeding hundreds of homeless people in London. The Companions of the Order of Malta open their Companions Café twice a week as they seek to put into practice their mission: “to practice our faith and to practice charity.”

One of the ways they strive to do this is by working with the homeless and poor. The Companions Café is located in a prestigious part of central London at St. James’ Catholic Church, Spanish Place.

The Order of Malta is an established lay religious order that has been operating in the Catholic Church since 1113, caring for people in need throughout the world. 

The café, which serves about 150 people a week, is currently more popular than ever, especially since the COVID lockdowns created an “epidemic of loneliness.”

Kate MacKenzie, London coordinator for the Companions of the Order of Malta, told CNA: “Of course the food is important, but the Companions Café is about so much more — it is about sociability and people being together, especially after lockdown when they literally lost their voice from no social interaction.”

MacKenzie explained that the philosophy of the café, which has opened twice a week at St. James’ for the past decade, is a distinct one, based on the principles of Catholic social teaching: homeless people are treated as guests and, as important as the food is, free clothes, toiletries, and the companionship of others is of paramount importance. It is an opportunity to regain dignity, sit with friends, and listen to music while eating or read a book.

MacKenzie, a former nurse manager, gave the pre-service pep talk to over 30 volunteers who work throughout the evening — from kitchen staff to those on the door to volunteers who collect and stock donations of warm clothes. 

MacKenzie has known some of the guests for many years; others appeared after COVID and two years of isolation, during which she said some quite literally lost some of their ability to communicate. Others became newly homeless: a person may have been working in a pub and living in upstairs accommodation only to become homeless when the pub shut.

MacKenzie described the shelter’s role as “providing dignity and companionship over dinner,” adding: “The majority of people who come here are homeless; many are in difficult circumstances like small or cramped rooms with leaks and no cooking or washing facilities. We point people to other services.”

During the evening, MacKenzie sat at a baby grand piano and played a selection of songs, such as Debussy, Abba, and the Sinatra anthem “My Way.” All this took place as the grateful diners tucked into Polish potato and beef stew, with vegan sausage as a vegetarian option. Peaches and cream followed, along with refills of tea and coffee in the distinctive mugs branded with the Maltese cross.

The Companions Café is supported by the Catholic lord mayor of Westminster, Councillor Robert Rigby, who described the café as “an amazing project.”

Rigby, who visited the cafe to help serve meals and talk to guests on Jan. 16, said through his press secretary: “There are amazing groups of volunteers helping our communities, and the Companions Café is a great example of that — giving dinner, dignity, and the chance to be treated as guests to a group of people who live in incredibly hard circumstances.” 

Responding to Rigby’s visit, the Companions said: “We were delighted to welcome the lord mayor of Westminster to visit and help at the Companions Café. The homeless guests were delighted to meet with him and spend time chatting about their worries and concerns.”

Source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/261745/companions-of-malta-serve-150-homeless-each-week-at-london-s-cafe-of-hope