Tuesday of week 23 of the year
Traditions
Vincentian Spirituality
The St. Vincent de Paul Society invites men and women to grow together spiritually as they offer person-to-person service to those in need. Rooted in a deep belief that Christ is uniquely present in the needy and the suffering, all actions and relationships are invitations to grow and be changed in a deep and lasting way.
Born in 1580 in France, St. Vincent de Paul yearned for an always-deepening relationship with Christ in his life. Drawn into the suffering and pain of the people, he lived with incredible optimism and joy-finding Christ and forgiveness in the faces of those he helped.
There are four characteristics we can see in St. Vincent de Paul and his ministry. Lived out in humility and simplicity, we can seek to integrate these characteristics into our own lives.
- Unconditional acceptance, love and patience for himself and others
St. Vincent de Paul faced his own shadows and faults, repented and found forgiveness. Letting go of his need for perfection-admitting his own shortcomings, and offering them to be used in service to the Lord-Vincent found freedom, acceptance, patience and love for himself and for others. - Absolute balance between prayer and action
The more Vincent embraced the discipline of prayer-the greater his ability to act in love. Even as he embraced humility, Vincent had the audacity to act in bold ways to fulfill the mission of helping the needy and the suffering. Through prayer and meditation we receive what we need, to be of service. Through action in relationship, we find God and are drawn back into prayer. - Attentiveness to the moment
Trust that God provides us what we need, and who we need, when we need it. We must be attentive to who we are with, and what we are doing. NOW is the moment we find the holy and sacred. Vincent had a deep conviction that God is present in time, history, events and people. God is here! - God is in charge
As we put our trust in God’s goodness and mercy, we begin to surrender our need to control everything and everyone in our lives. We develop patience and trust to let God be God, and to wait...
St. Vincent de Paul said that we cannot move forward alone. The desire for spiritual growth requires us to embrace all others. He encourages us to move forward as a community together, united in the desire to grow and live in peace and love.
