Today we salute the “Apostle of Charity,” St. Vincent de Paul
Reflections on the readings for the Memorial of St. Vincent de Paul (September 27, 2021): ZEC 8:1-8; PS 102:16-18,19-21,29,22-23; LK 9:46-50
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
“You will go and visit the poor ten times a day, and ten times a day you will find God there!”
St. Vincent de Paul was born to poor farming parents in Gascony province of France in 1580. He was intelligent, somewhat ambitious, and wanted to be a priest, in part, to have a more comfortable life. He acted as a tutor and pursued his theological studies and, eventually, a degree in canon law. After he was ordained, he became a tutor to a rich and noble family. It was during this time, that he finally found his vocation to dedicate himself to the poor. Vincent was deeply affected when he was called to the deathbed of peasant to hear his confession. After this, he spent his time and efforts in aiding those who were sick, destitute, or in need of education. Because he was a good organizer and had access to a number of wealthy families, he was able to get financial assistance to help men, women and children throughout France and, in time, far beyond. He founded an order of priests, the Congregation of the Mission. And, working with St. Louise de Marillac, the two established the Daughters of Charity to teach and to care for orphans, and others suffering in many ways. Reaching out to laypeople, the Confraternities of Charity and Ladies of Charity did a great to help the needy in many parishes. St. Vincent spread his charity for the poor and those in trouble and in want for the rest of his life, including galley slaves whom he worked to ransom. He said, “You will go and visit the poor ten times a day, and ten times a day you will find God there!”
In the reading for today, we hear that “(The Lord) has regarded the prayer of the destitute, and not despised their prayer. … The Lord looked down from His holy height, to hear the groaning of the prisoners, to release those doomed to die” (Psalm 102:18,20-21). Vincent de Paul died in 1660 and was canonized in 1737. He is now honored by the Church as the patron of charitable societies.
