The Baltimore Basilica uses a Knott Foundation grant to support the opening of the Sexton’s Lodge Café

 

The story of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Baltimore Basilica) is the story of Catholicism in America. Built from 1806 – 1821 and consecrated in 1876, the Basilica is the first Catholic cathedral built in the U.S. after the country’s founding. Serving a critical role in the expansion of the Catholic faith in this newly birthed nation, it has seen and served millions in its more than 200-year existence – from the humblest to the holiest amongst us.

As our personal lives have become busier and our ties to religious practice of any kind have lessened, really knowing Christ and knowing our neighbors has become increasingly complicated. A recent grant award from the Knott Foundation, combined with an inspired idea by the Basilica’s faithful parishioners, is working to change that – one cup of coffee and a conversation at a time.

Radically open for business

Father Brendan Fitzgerald was appointed rector of the Baltimore Basilica in summer 2022. A graduate of Calvert Hall College High School and Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Father Fitzgerald arrived at a time when his predecessor, Father James Boric, had already made great strides towards making the Basilica “radically open” to those in need, seeking spiritual refuge and peace. To this foundation, Father Fitzgerald and his staff, with the support of his parishioners, have added another opportunity to build authentic relationships with Christ and the diverse community within and beyond the walls of the Basilica.

Sitting in what once was the home of Archbishop Borders, and most recently, the Basilica’s bookstore, now sits a sunlight-infused, vibrant Café of Hospitality known as the Sexton’s Lodge Café. Blessed and opened by Archbishop Lori in April 2024, the café which is open on Thursdays during the summer, Fridays during fall, winter, and spring, and Sundays year-round, has served over 500 individuals since its opening.

When you enter the café you encounter an icon of Saint Drogo, known as the patron saint of shepherds and coffee, painted and donated by a local Catholic artist. You also feel a hopeful energy. Staffed by parish volunteers and Source of All Hope Missionaries, the café is “radically open” to all and made possible thanks to generous donations made by Baltimore Coffee & Tea Co. and Bakery Express, as well as free will offerings made by café visitors.

Homelessness is not a characteristic, it is an experience

Situated on Cathedral Street, across from Enoch Pratt’s Central Library and sharing an alley with My Sister’s Place Women’s Center, the café is at a diverse crossroads of humanity, including many men and women living on the streets of Baltimore.

While homelessness is a problem to be solved, Father Fitzgerald says, “the homeless are not a problem to be fixed.” Rather, he and his team have purposefully centered the work of the café around a model of “creating a place where they belong even more deeply.”

Unlike formal outreach programs where interactions can sometimes feel forced, Sexton’s Lodge Café allows for genuine connections to develop. Parishioners from various backgrounds, including those from the suburbs, now see homeless for who they are, members of their community.

The fruits of evangelization are changed lives and a changed world

This initiative has blossomed into more than just a place to enjoy a cup of coffee; it has become a vibrant hub for authentic relationships and community engagement, embodying the spirit of radical openness and the call to love God, thy neighbor, and thyself. It has become a story of hope in what was once a vacant space. By providing a physical structure with the promise of a long-term opportunity, the café allows parishioners to put their formation into action, and ultimately respond to Christ’s call to love both God and neighbor.

Two stories of hope that have emerged from the café include the 4-year-old daughter of a parishioner who has formed a bond with a friend from the street. One Sunday, this young girl was reluctant to leave the café because she was in the middle of a conversation with this friend. When the young girl’s mother saw this bond being built, she said to Father Brendan, “this is everything I could ever want from the Church.”

The second story was shared by Jordan Damewood, a youthful seminarian working at the Basilica this summer. Jordan shared the story of a talented artist who is living on the streets. One morning, the artist approached Jordan asking for a couple of dollars to buy coffee. Instead of giving him money, Jordan was able to invite the artist to the café, where they shared a cup of coffee and a heartfelt conversation. To Jordan, this encounter illustrates how the café provides a space for spiritual nourishment and genuine connection, going beyond merely addressing physical needs.

Evangelization through beauty and relationship

Evangelization is a cornerstone of the cafe’s mission, carried out through the beauty of the space and the relationships it fosters. Parishioners and visitors often find themselves drawn into conversations about faith and spirituality naturally. The attraction of the café, from its welcoming atmosphere to the artwork on the walls, serves as a backdrop for these meaningful exchanges.

The idea for transforming it into a café was inspired through the ministry of Abigail Steele, the Basilica’s Director of Outreach, who served as a missionary with and now works for the Basilica’s missionary program, Source of All Hope. During her time with Source, she experienced the graces that comes with encountering Christ in the poor as the missionaries built friendships with those men and women living on the streets of Baltimore. With the café now a reality, Abigail said of her experience with the café and how it gives her hope, “You see people coming directly from the liturgy, from Mass, to this place, embodying the call to care for and love their neighbors. This relationship, rooted in the love of God and love of neighbor, is very real and authentic. No one is forcing anyone to come or talk to others; it’s a genuine expression of faith and community.” For Maria Veres, the Basilica’s Director of Mission Advancement, hope comes from how the café is helping to not only “build community but express deeper care for each other within the parish and our friends from the streets.”

A place of joy and generosity

The space has become a regular meeting place for families after Mass, with children running around and engaging with other community members. The environment is filled with laughter, conversations, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee.

The generosity of the community is also remarkable. One Sunday, a regular visitor who often stays on the streets near the Basilica and My Sister’s Place, insisted on donating $10, giving what could be considered her livelihood for the day – a significant amount for her. This act of giving back underscores the deep connection and sense of ownership that community members feel towards the café.

This [café] is lovely – this idea is what Jesus meant when he said, “When I was hungry, you fed me.” These people got it… thank you. Thank you for this idea… thank you for being so friendly… and thank you for this wonderful coffee. – Friend from the street

Overcoming challenges and looking ahead

While the café has faced challenges, particularly with maintaining a consistent volunteer base during the summer months, the team remains hopeful and committed to building a strong volunteer network. They plan to form several intentional volunteer groups to ensure smooth operations moving forward. Looking ahead, Father Brendan and his team believe the Basilica of Baltimore and the Sexton’s Lodge Café will continue to inspire hope and build a stronger, more inclusive community.

Sexton’s Lodge is a place where authentic relationships flourish, where generosity knows no bounds, and where the community comes together to support and uplift one another. This initiative exemplifies the ideals of radical openness and genuine human connection. And while the material award granted by the Knott Foundation helped stand up the physical space, it is the spiritual work that is the true gift. The Sexton’s Lodge Café stands as a beacon of hope in Baltimore, reminding us all of the power of community rooted in the Eucharist and the importance of seeing and treating everyone as a valued member of our shared world as we seek to share God’s love with our neighbor.

By Kathleen McCarthyi