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Radical Hospitality and Faith Inclusion: Lessons from St. Benedict

Abstract The Rule of St. Benedict (RB) provides instructions for welcoming others to the monastery, and instructs members to welcome the stranger as Christ. Benedict urges us to listen. God may be found in and with others, in community, and with all kinds of people. Benedict calls for a specific member of the community, a porter, to greet and provide for the needs of the visitor. Benedict’s instructions can be applied to faith communities in welcoming people with disabilities. Although people with disabilities indicate a desire to be more involved in their faith communities, they face physical and attitudinal barriers to meaningful participation. The faith community can make use of a porter or host to welcome and include newcomers by informing, introducing, and advocating for newcomers. The porter can help them overcome whatever barriers they encounter on the way to full inclusion and integration into the life of the community. The porter can encourage and provide leadership for a congregational response to welcome visitors and facilitate their first steps into membership in the faith community regardless of disability.