Papal Blessing on Conferences

THE SECRETARIAT OF STATE

Vatican. 12th November 2008

Sr. José Ramón DÍAZ- TORREMOCHA

Président Général

Société de Saint- Vincent de Paúl

PARIS

Dear President General

On the occasion of the CLXXV Anniversary of the Foundation of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, the Holy Father wishes to spiritually join the action of thanksgiving of this happy commemoration and at the same time to set forward an invitation to passionately renew the commitment of service to the Church in the unselfish love to the most needed brothers and sisters.

Since its birth in Paris in 1833, the Society of St Vincent de Paul with its local Conferences has wonderfully spread throughout the world, always answering the specific needs of poverty and instability, not “with words or tongue, but with actions in truth”, (1 John 3, 18). The pressing impetus of Christian charity, that is already present in the birth of this Society as is maintained as its authentic reason of being, should continue to be a true reflection of the love that God has for each one of His children and is a sure means of continuingly experimenting His merciful presence, as “everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God” (1 John 4, 7).

With the awareness of being living instruments of the Lord, bearers of the Gospel of charity, the members of the Conferences have to always look for the possibility to renew these deep meanings of faith, those that move Christians to perfect acts of charity, and continue to take Jesus Christ as a model of the Good Samaritan, therefore never allowing the acts of charity set forth so eloquently by the first members of this Society to flag; an experience that has always been present within your distinguished tradition.

In today’s world, people that suffer any kind of poverty, whether it is through new or traditional forms of destitution, continue to require the consolation of charity. Unselfish love towards thy neighbor, with sensitiveness developed from a deep spiritual life, will increase the necessary creativity and enough bravery in order to cure the wounds of those that most suffer. Charity, therefore, can not only be limited to material aid, but also goes beyond this and offers support and peace for the spiritual difficulties of humankind. Following the trail of the founder, the Blessed Frederic Ozanam, this anniversary will give new enthusiasm so that faith will neither be separated from action nor from the charity work of the brave and clear apostolate, as “They realize that a pure and generous love is the best witness to the God in whom we believe and by whom we are driven to love. A Christian knows when it is time to speak of God and when it is better to say nothing and to let love alone speak.” (Deus caritas est 31 c).

With these sentiments, the Holy Father invoking the intercession of St Vincent de Paul and the Blessed Frederic Ozanam, conveys a special Apostolic Blessing to all members of different local Conferences of the Society of St Vincent de Paul throughout the world.

I would also like to use this opportunity to manifest the testimony of my consideration and esteem in Christ.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone

Secretary of State of His Holiness

A Vincentian Family Christmas (meditation)

For a lovely Vincentian "Advent meditation" video, click the picture. The words of St. Vincent and other Vincentians ring true during this holy season of Advent.

First Sunday of Advent

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

November 29, 2009

Gospel: (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36)

Jesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon and the stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish, distraught at the roaring of the sea and the waves. Men will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the earth. The powers in the heavens will be shaken. After that, men will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with great power and glory. When these things begin to happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, for your ransom is near at hand. Be on guard… The great day will suddenly close in on you like a trap. The day I speak of will come upon all who dwell on the face of the earth, so be on the watch. Pray constantly for the strength to escape whatever is in prospect, and to stand secure before the Son of Man.”

Reflection:

This time of year is filled with anticipation and waiting! The important questions for us are, “What do we anticipate?” and “How do we await?” Stores are filled with Christmas things. Lights and decorations have sprung up. Christmas music on the radio is another harbinger of the day for which we wait. Our work of preparation is busied with card-sending, party-planning and attending, and gift-shopping. The First Sunday of Advent, the Church’s New Year, ushers in a different way of waiting, of heightened anticipation. We Christians don’t wait for a what, but for a Whom. And that changes the character of our waiting! If the followers of Christ are vigilant and have lives “blameless in holiness,” then when Christ comes they can “stand erect” without fear but with joyful anticipation of their redemption. This is the Whom and what of our waiting! (Living Liturgy, p. 2)

Vincentian Meditation:

Waiting in joyful anticipation…if we are to rejoice in the grace of God, we must have eyes that see and ears that hear. That in turn demands a reflecting heart, the sort of heart which Our Lady had and with which, she “pondered all things in her heart.” Our Lady has a marvelous capacity for wonder. There can be no wonder in our lives without silence. We are called to the service of the poor, but our service must come from a heart which resembles that of Our Lady who knew how to be silent, who knew how to wonder, who knew who to marvel at the grace of God, without which we can do nothing.

(McCullen, Deep Down Things, p. 56)

Discussion: (Share thoughts on the readings after a moment of silence)

This Advent how can we help each other to “await” in joyful anticipation, silence and wonder for the true meaning of Christmas?

Closing Prayer:

Lord, as we await the fulfillment of your promise,

-give us a heart that knows how to be silent.

You come as a visible sign of love,

-give us a heart that knows how to wonder.

Strengthen us by your grace,

-give us a heart that lives in joyful anticipation. Amen

Prayer Before Home Visit

Come Holy Spirit,

We ask for your gifts:

• Wisdom to understand the situation, its priorities and the deeper needs;

• Fortitude to persevere, not to give up;

• Counsel to tackle the problem appropriately; and

• Piety to feel, to feel compassion, which is nothing other than feeling what the other feels.

We ask in reverence and awe of God to visit our brothers and sisters with humility.

We beseech Providence for those we visit: For they, like us, are Children of God and Temples of the Holy Spirit, they and we are, therefore, equal in dignity no matter what distress they feel or how much misery surrounds them.

In Jesus' name, we ask,

Amen.

(Source: Vincentian Rule, 1.7, commentary)

Economic Downturn Affects Charities

With the failing economy, the needs of the poor increase.

"In Vallejo, Rene Perryman, past president of the St. Vincent de Paul conference at St Basil Parish and current board member of Catholic Social Service-Solano, notes that in the past two years, the St Basil conference made about 30 food deliveries to households each month. Now the conference averages 30 deliveries a week."

from the Catholic Herald:

Click here for full story.

We Serve in Hope

Serviens in spe - We serve in hope. (Vincentian motto)

In recent days, we have seen the rise of a kind of new persecution against Catholics and others of faith. Intolerance has been demonstrated in ways slight and grave: from misinformed opinions in the media to violence against persons of faith, their businesses, and faith communities. It is wrong in every sense of the word.

In this month of November, we recall the meaning of the communion of saints, those people of faith now living and those who came before us. Catholic tradition is a wonderful gift. It gives us perspective, especially in times of trial. Across the ages, we hear the challenging, yet comforting words of Christ from the Sermon on the Mount:

"Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." [Matthew 5:10-12]

"Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in like manner did their fathers unto the prophets." [Luke 6:22-23]

We serve in hope.

Advent is the season of hope. In the coming season of Advent, we are reminded that Light will come to disperse the Darkness. The coming of the Christ Child represents hope for the world. That was the Good News 2,000 years ago, a thousand years ago, now, and forever.

In the days and weeks ahead, and especially during Advent, pray, support one another, and continue to serve in hope.

Core Values

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul adheres to a group of core values; these are the principles central to its creed and ministry:

• Identification of Jesus with the poor
• Preferential option of the poor
• Jesus is the Evangelizer and Servant of the poor
• Growth and intimacy with Jesus is a lifelong process
• Poverty and spirit are the primary beatitudes
• The Society is concerned with charity and justice
• Prayer is essential: personal and communal
• The virtue of humility: personal and corporate
• The virtue of charity within and outside the Society
• The virtue of simplicity
• Divine Providence
• Friendship
• Solidarity
• Community

Catholic Catechism

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, a basic resource for Catholics, is available on line. The link has been added to our Catholic web library
(side bar, below), or click the photo.

Encountering Christ in the Poor

For Vincent, true holiness meant that all of his decisions, plans, struggles, and actions had to revolve around the person of Jesus Christ. His own relationship with Jesus Christ developed in three stages. During his boyhood, his parents passed on their convictions about Jesus. Vincent believed, but not enough to move mountains. The second stage occurred in his twenties. A string of personal defeats and some sound spiritual direction caused Vincent to look deeply into himself. In was known only to Vincent and God, Vincent’s encounter with Jesus moved him to rearrange the map of his life. Finally, as he became more involved in ministering to the poor, Vincent discovered Jesus Christ in the faces of these humble souls. Vincent’s live then revolved around the person of Jesus, whom he encountered in the poor, sick and homeless people. (McKenna, Praying with Vincent, p.41-42)

Source: Vincentian Reflections

St. Catherine Laboure & the "Miraculous Medal"

Above, St. Catherine Laboure and the "Miraculous Medal" (click photos)

Prayer to St. Catherine Laboure

Lord, may we who honour St. Catherine,
recognize at all times Your image in the needy, so that,
as we serve them in simplicity of heart,
we may be, in the world, true witnesses of Your love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

For more information about the "Miraculous Medal" and St. Catherine Laboure, click here.

“I do not know how to find words for what I experienced and perceived, or for the beauty and the splendor of those magnificent rays (coming from the hands of the Blessed Virgin). Mary told me, “They are the symbol of the graces which I shed on those who ask me for them. Have a medal struck according to this model; all those who wear it, especially if they wear it around the neck, will receive great graces, and these graces will be abundant for those who wear it with confidence.” (From St. Catherine Laboure’s account of the apparitions, November 27,1830)