Those men in the back of the church.

.
I believe it was early spring when I first noticed him at the back of church as I came in for confession.  He had shoulder length dark hair, glasses, a beard, and was dressed in a denim shirt - tails hanging out over his tattered, but clean jeans.  He had on hiking boots and carried a large leather bag.  He was kneeling, hunched over in prayer, oblivious to anyone around him.  Every Saturday afternoon since I have seen him in the same spot, sometimes venturing forward to kneel in prayer at Our Lady's altar.
.
Once in awhile I'll nod to him and he nods back.  Early on, one of the adoration ladies called my attention to him, "Did you see that scruffy kid?"  But that was just the way she referred to him - she wasn't being disrespectful.  "He looks really clean," she added.  "I wonder what his story is?"  And sure enough, Dorothy went up to talk to him to make him feel welcomed, and gave him some devotional literature.  The next week she gave him a rosary and taught him how to pray it.  I notice he now goes to Communion.
.
He still dresses in the same clothes, jeans and denim shirt, worn boots, although a couple of weeks ago he cut his hair and isn't always carrying his knapsack.  Instead of nodding to him, I now give him a small wave and he waves back in recognition.  I don't know his name.
.
There is another guy at the same Mass - he's the one who told me he is a recovering alcoholic.  He wears a Hawaiian shirt, jeans and beat up sports shoes.  He waves to me now and then, just before Mass.  I see him with an old lady whom I assume is his mom.  He goes to confession on a regular basis.  He's very simple and kind.
.
Then there is this really fat guy - I think he buys his clothes from a direct mail company like "King Size" - or maybe not.  But he wears huge polo-type shirts that could function as a dress for a plus-sized woman, and though he doesn't wear real jeans, he does wear a sort of jersey-denim, undecorated rumpled sport pant, and again, well worn sports shoes.  He has trouble walking, but that doesn't stop him from doing the collection, panting and gasping for air as he does so.  He's usually unshaven, or badly shaved.   For several years he would ignore me, but then one day he actually smiled and nodded when I said hello.  It made me feel good. 
.
Repent.