St. Vincent de Paul
Notes for Lent

Week 1:  Called by God

Scripture:  “My command to you is: love your enemies, pray for your persecutors. This will prove that you are children of your heavenly father, for his sun rises on the just and the unjust….In a word, you must be made perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:44-48)

Reflection:  It’s not about perfectionism.  Rather, it is about opening our hearts to love those whom God loves in an active way.  This challenges us to change our ways of thinking (no more prejudices or pigeon-holing of people), and it pushes us to move out of our comfort zone to truly experience that Christ is there, even within those we perceive as enemies or alien from us.  It is only by venturing into this intimidating territory that we can truly experience the wideness of God’s love and discover the growing edges of our own ability to love.  This process is a lifelong adventure, best undertaken with others.  That’s what Vincentians do. 

Prayer:  Lord God, we rely on your perfection to be enough for us.  We ask you to help us to trust you enough to venture further than we dare, and we seek always to know you and to see your face.  Open our eyes and hearts so that we don’t miss the blessings you wish to bestow on us and others as we meet and share.  Be with us and bless us – and others through us.  Amen.
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Do you ever think of yourself as having a vocation – a calling from God?  And what do you understand by the word “vocation” anyway?

Members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society take the word very seriously.  They understand it as living God’s will for them right in the midst of their lives.  They have come to realize that the mission of the church is carried out by the lay faithful in the everyday world of work and family life, as well as in the parish.  They have studied the Second Vatican Council’s document, Lumen Gentium (LG), which clarifies the Church’s meaning and mission in the world.

“The laity live in the world,…They live in the ordinary conditions of life in the family and in society, from which the web of their existence is woven.  They are called there by God so that by exercising their proper role and being led by the spirit of the Gospel they can work for the sanctification of the world from within, in the manner of leaven.  In this way they can make Christ known to others, especially by the testimony of a life resplendent in faith, hope and charity.”  (LG, #31)

It is precisely this call to holiness and mission that gives our human lives their purpose and meaning, pointing to the fullness of eternal life in resurrection.

Vincentians study the official documents of the Church and they take them “to the streets.”  They understand that our vocation begins in the Church, but goes beyond the Church itself and leads them to become involved in the world in a conscious and committed way.  They do this by forming themselves, personally and in community, through study, prayer and service.  They grow their vision of the world, and seek to see it with God’s eyes, just as they try to serve with God’s heart – as they learn from the teachings and example of Jesus and from the Church, from their founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam and their Patron, St. Vincent de Paul, and most importantly, from Christ’s presence here on earth.

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Take a look at the Mission Statement of the Society:

Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul,
a Catholic lay organization,
leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually
by offering person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering
in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam,
and patron, St. Vincent de Paul.

As a reflection of the whole family of God,
members who are known as Vincentians,
are drawn from every ethnic and cultural background,
age group and economic level.

Vincentians are united in an international society of charity
by their spirit of poverty, humility and sharing,
which is nourished by prayer and reflection,
mutually supportive gatherings and adherence to a basic Rule.

Organized locally, Vincentians witness God’s love
by embracing all works of charity and justice.
The Society collaborates with other people of good will
in relieving need and addressing its causes,
making no distinction in those served because, in them,
VINCENTIANS SEE THE FACE OF CHRIST.

THE VOCATION OF FREDERIC OZANAM

Frederic Ozanam was from a very devout Catholic family in France, and his parents taught him a deep love of God and the poor.  As a young man in Lyon Frederic suffered a crisis of faith, and Frederic promised God that if his faith was restored, he would give his life to the service of truth.  The doubts vanished, and Frederic became strengthened in his faith that he so loved and he remained faithful to his promise for his entire life.

Frederic moved to Paris to study law at the Sorbonne.  At this time, there were many attacks of anti-Catholicism and anticlericalism.  He joined the Conference of History, under the mentorship of Emmanuel Bailly.  At one of their meetings, a challenge was issued to the members to show their faith by alleviating the needs of the suffering poor and to promote social justice in the church and society.  This drove Frederic to the poor, and in 1833, on his twentieth birthday, six students together with Emmanuel Bailly, formed the Conference of Charity and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was born.

After first considering a vocation to the priesthood and after many years of discernment he came to understand that it was God’s will that he serve God and the church as a layman.  When Frederic was 28 years old, he met Amelie Soulacroix, and they were married on June 23, 1841.  After four years, they had a daughter, Marie, their only child.  Frederic came to know that he had found his true vocation in the sacrament of marriage.

To Frederic was granted the grace of balancing the commitments to marriage and family, together with the call to serve the poor through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a grace he was faithful to all of his life.

THE VOCATION OF VINCENT DE PAUL

Vincent de Paul was born in the southwest of France in a little village, the third of six children in a poor but faith-filled peasant family. Vincent was smart, and so his parents sacrificed to send him to school to become a priest.  Priesthood in that day was more of a career than a vocation, opening doors to prestige and money - and the ability to take care of his family.

Vincent went off to school and was ordained at the age of 19, about 5 years earlier than most, evidence that Vincent was intelligent, clever and persuasive. 

His Church career went along smoothly, with him coming into influence in the Royal Court, until someone falsely accused him of theft.  Though proved innocent, it deeply disturbed him and he began a time of doubt and spiritual turmoil, during which he came to know deeply the God of compassion.

On the advice of an influential friend, Vincent began to minister to the poor and came to the realization that he was most needed in the very place that he was avoiding: the poor.  In surrendering himself to the poor, he experienced the end of all his doubts and a new peace grew.

The suffering of the poor deeply touched Vincent’s heart, and in telling others of their suffering, they also were touched and moved to action.  Thus began a realization of Vincent’s deepest calling, and he eventually founded the Congregation of the Mission (1625) for men,  and along with a holy woman, Louse De Marillac, a religious congregation for women, the Daughters of Charity (1633).  He served the poor in every form for 43 years.  After his death in 1660 the Church named him the “Universal Patron of Charity.”

Discussion Questions:
• Share your own story of “vocation” and what that means to you.
• What do you find most inspiring in the stories of Frederic Ozanam and Vincent de Paul?
• Have you ever discovered God’s presence or peace in the very place (or situation) that you had avoided?

The Society in Action – St. John Vianney

Quarterly St. John’s Vincentians hold a Reverse Collection, where they give out cards, each listing four items needed in the food pantry, at all Masses.  People then shop during the coming week and return the items the following weekend at all Masses.  The Vincentians collect the food, load it into cars and vans and deliver it (unless it is picked up).  The bulk of the food (from Sunday morning’s Masses) goes to supply the heavily used food pantry at our sister parish, Prince of Peace/Principe de Paz.  Food from the Saturday night Mass goes to St. Joseph Parish’s Food Pantry in Waukesha.  Food from the Sunday evening Mass supplies St. John’s own food pantry.

In the fall the Society holds a Share–a-Pie Drive (in conjunction with Market Day) to supply pies to needy families for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Closing Prayer:  We join our prayers today with those of Vincentians worldwide for those who are poor in one way or another:

• For those who are materially poor, going hungry or living with food insecurity we pray…..Lord hear our prayer.

• For those who are homeless or inadequately sheltered, vulnerable to weather and predators of all kinds, we pray….Lord hear our prayer.

• For all who are suffering from disabilities or mental illnesses that challenge their ability to survive and to be accepted by others we pray… Lord hear our prayer.

• For all who are lost and find no joy, hope or meaning in life, we pray…Lord hear our prayer.

• For all who are struggling to find their vocation but are afraid or confused we pray….Lord hear our prayer.

• For our own parish and its members who have many resources and often forget their mission to the poor we pray….Lord hear our prayer.

• For Vincentians worldwide and especially those in our own parish we pray…Lord hear our prayer.

In gratitude and wonder for all God’s blessings and God’s ways we pray together as Jesus taught us:  Our Father….