Carmelites Friars – North of American Province of St. Elias in allegiance to Jesus Christ
“One bowl of porridge – One act of compassion”
Amid the hustle and bustle at Thủ Đức Hospital, every Thursday afternoon, the humble image of a porridge cart overflowing with love has become familiar to many poor patients. It is the Charity Porridge Pot, a weekly initiative carried out by the Carmelites of the Commissariat of St. Joseph, acting as a bridge of compassion and a source of warmth for those less fortunate.
A Small Act, A Great Heart
Born out of a desire to bring love to the sick and suffering, the Carmelites launched the Charity Porridge Pot program, organized and run weekly by the Carmelite Students of St. Therese and OLMC. From early Thursday morning, the young brothers are busy preparing ingredients—from fresh vegetables and intact roots to carefully selected minced meat. In the warm kitchen of the monastery, pot after pot of nutritious porridge is cooked with care, dedication, and quiet sacrifice.
By afternoon, after the community prayer, the theology students and resident college students join hands to portion out 300 servings of steaming porridge, each accompanied by a warm loaf of bread. These meals are loaded onto a pushcart and lovingly delivered to patients at Thủ Đức Hospital—small gifts wrapped in kindness.
A Network of Love
To sustain the Charity Porridge Pot, the Commissariat receives support from the Dolan’s Charity Fund, of the Mother Province, North American Province of St. Elias, along with generous contributions from benefactors—some donate rice, others offer vegetables, or contribute minced meat. As for the bread, the community purchases it directly to ensure that every meal is complete. Every contribution, no matter how small, becomes a brick in building a house of compassion.
More Than Just Porridge
The Charity Porridge Pot is more than simply material sharing. For the brothers in formation, it is also a profound human and spiritual experience. It brings them face-to-face with real human suffering, sparking compassion and allowing it to grow within their hearts. With each bowl of porridge given away, the brothers learn powerful lessons in mercy and selfless service.
Touching Hearts
One afternoon, as the brothers wheeled the porridge cart to the second-floor pediatric ward, a little girl around seven years old, clutching a loaf of bread, ran joyfully toward one of the brothers, hugged him, and whispered:
“Thank you so much, Uncle. My dad didn’t have money for food today.”
That moment—no words could fully express the meaning and value of those bowls of porridge. They are not just meals for the body; they are nourishment for the soul, bringing comfort, dignity, and a glimpse of God’s love.
