What does it mean to “Be Vincentian”?

In order to explain what it means to be “Vincentian”, we have to go back to the legacy of this origin word. It goes all the way back by the 17 century in France, by humble person name Vincent De Paul. Vincent De Paul interrupted life by serving others in need, this how he felt satisfaction on earth. St. Vincent De Paul thought God spoke to him through the people that need help and that was his turning point in his life. The Gondi family called St. Vincent De Paul to tutor their children at their house. At that time the Gondi family was one of the highest of families after the king who’s ruling at that time. St. Vincent De Paul went and he started to tutor those kids and lived there among the high families but that it didn’t last. Madame Gondi and Saint Vincent De Paul knowest how a lot of people are spiritually abandoned. Then she asked St Vincent De Paul what’s must be done? And this the main key to how he interrupted a solution when he faced a problem in society “but by working toward systemic change within society” according to the article, “Fire within the spirituality that sparked the works of St. Vincent de Paul”.  I respected in the St Vincent de Paul: Charity ‘s Saint Documentary, they recognition that St. Vincent De Paul challenged darkness without speaking for days, quick temper and he prayed to the lord to ease those challenges upon. I respected this part because even though he was a saint but they’re still parts of imperfection as any normal human been. But as time goes with life experiences and growth in spiritual lives that imperfection God could transform unto magnificent perfection in his work to serve his children. Another part which extraordinary about St. Vincent De Paul that has accepted and equally respected each human being as a brother and a sister in Christ. In the time when everyone person refused to take the kids that were born the plague time because they say they’re sinful but St. Vincent De Paul stood up and took these children and raised them.  When the women at the time period weren’t had a big role in society, he started the lady of charity with Louise de Marillac which had an incredible impact on each society they occur in until the present day. 

After many years passed by, St. Vincent De Paul’s teaching and serving is alive. I personally had difficulty deciding which college will I be attending. But that all disappeared after visiting St. John’s University while visiting the campus I noticed how welcoming the students and the faculty. I sense from the student that they’re willing to help each other by taking the time out of the day for another classmate how’s facing a challenging topic, working as a team. It was a community that I wanted to be part of it. But how this sprite of assistance was rooted in St. John’s Universit student?  Now it all makes sense after watching the St Vincent de Paul: Charity‘s Saint Documentary & reading the article, “Fire within the spirituality that sparked the works of St. Vincent de Paul”, St. John’s University still are faithful to the mission of Vincent De Paul and it keeps passing over to next generation. 

The article “Fire within the spirituality that sparked the works of St. Vincent de Paul”,  stated five virtues of the missionary are humility, gentleness, simplicity, mortification, and zeal. Fortunately, I was able to serve with Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paulin in D.C during my spring break . I endure how they serve with five virtues of St. Vincent De Paul’s. It was one week of service with the Campus Ministry of our college. “Live and die in the services of the poor” most of the time when we go to participate in service we think that we volunteer our time for the others in need. Which’s totally incorrect, true services from the heart will make you see that you are the one who benefits from these services. To be thankful, aware, and appreciated for what we have. There’s nothing different between me and a homeless child, the only difference that I was born in a stable house that could raise a child but nothing I had to do to deserve this house. Same thing with those children they didn’t have a choice to choose a family. While serving the poor, I always have in my mind that nothing in life is granted. I could be in their situation tomorrow or next year. While living and serving with the sister, they were the true image of God.  as any catholic Christian, trying to include everyone with care, love, kindness, respect, and many other feelings that we connected with them that can’t be described in words but only with experience. 

As God blessed St. Vincent De Paul worked on earth, he’ll also bless each one who gives their time to serve the Lord: “Go to the poor: you will find God.” this what is it mean to be honored to be part of the Vincentian mission

Reference:  

Maloney, Robert P. (2017) “FIRE WITHIN: The Spirituality that Sparked the Works of St. Vincent de Paul,” Journal of Vincentian Social Action: Vol. 2 : Iss. 3 , Article 5.

Mission and Ministry DePaul University. Vincent De Paul: Charity’s Saint. YouTube, YouTube, 17 Apr. 2014, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqSpwwojTcs.