‘Ubuntu’, a profound South African philosophy that beautifully captures the essence of what it means to be human. It is translated as “I am because we are,” a powerful concept emphasizing a belief in a universal bond that connects all of humanity, built on compassion, mutual respect, and the understanding that, our individual identity is a reflection of the connections we share with others. This is the path Kay has chosen to live her life and interact with the world.
Meet Kay, a devoted member and servant at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, whose profound faith serves as the radiant core of her joy in both life and the people she encounters. Despite the many challenges she has faced in her life both personally and spiritually, she never lost her faith and the desire to be of service to God and mankind. She is here today because of her strong faith in God and love for mankind.
For Kay, life is a sacred gift meant to be shared, a principle she embodies through selfless service to her church and the wider world. Driven by a deep spiritual understanding, she dedicates herself to truly seeing and acknowledging the beauty in all of God’s creations, especially humanity.
In a world often consumed by ‘the self’ and ‘for the self’, Kay chooses to look beyond herself by focusing on the other. For it is through others that we get to know ourselves. There is no self-discovery in a vacuum or isolation, true self-discovery happens when we interact with the world outside of us. As she eloquently states, “It is so important to validate our shared humanity and existence because at the heart of it, everyone yearns to be heard and seen.”
This conviction fuels her daily interactions, prompting her to offer genuine compliments and engage with everyone she meets. Whether it’s admiring a beautiful dress or acknowledging captivating eyes, Kay feels compelled to connect. Among her favorite things to do is spending most Fridays at Don Pedro’s, often with a book, a beer, and an open heart, waiting to connect with others. She has met some amazing people doing this. “This is my favorite thing to do on Fridays” she said with a smile. When asked about this heartfelt practice, she affirms with conviction, “I am so filled with the love of God, it simply overflows; I cannot contain it.”
While her faith in God has been a lifelong companion, it was during her high school years that she truly grasped the boundless depth of divine love through the profound influence of a group of nuns. Their presence and guidance allowed her to feel, in her very being, the immeasurable love God holds for her. This transformative experience unlocked a wellspring within her, and ever since, Kay tries to live a life dedicated to sharing that overflowing love with the world, one heartfelt interaction at a time. Her spiritual journey hasn’t been a smooth sail, it has gone through some challenges, but Kay always finds peace knowing how much she is loved by the divine being.
Kay’s spiritual journey shares a profound connection with the life and teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola, ‘Iggy’ as she called him, who she admires. Ignatius who was a Spanish soldier in the 16th century who experienced a dramatic and deeply personal conversion after a severe injury forced him into a period of quiet reflection that he began to see God not in grand pronouncements, but in the small, intimate details of his life. The core of Ignatian spirituality is finding God in all things. It’s a spirituality rooted in experience and feeling, much like Kay’s own transformation and way of life. Ignatius’s “Spiritual Exercises” which are a series of meditative practices designed to help people do exactly what Kay does, to move beyond a theoretical understanding of God and to feel divine love in a personal interconnectedness way.
For Ignatius, and Kay, faith is not a linear set of rules or a series of intellectual steps. It is a dynamic, intentional, heartfelt journey. Both of their lives demonstrate that a genuine encounter with God’s love is a powerful catalyst, leading to a life not focused on the self or in quiet contemplation, but of active service and a deep desire to share that love with everyone they meet regardless of social contrasts.
Kay’s story is an inspiring call to action. It challenges us to truly look beyond ourselves and to intentionally seek out the humanity in others. By acknowledging and valuing the person in front of us, whether it’s a colleague, a neighbor, or a stranger, we don’t just enrich their lives, we deepen our own sense of fulfillment and self-actualization. Her life demonstrates a profound truth; our humanity is interconnected in ways we often don’t realize due to our immense focus on ourselves and what is familiar. We forget that our own self-actualization, our own sense of purpose, can only be fully realized when we engage with others and see ourselves reflected in them and their stories.
Imagine a world where we all live in this spirit of active love, service, and genuine understanding of one another, where every interaction is an opportunity to truly connect with and see the beautiful humanity in others. This is the world Kay’s story inspires us to create.
Ubuntu. “I Am Because We Are”.
