Reflection for the Mass of St Vincent 1980 : (October 2008)

Part of the genius shared by St. Vincent de Paul and Blessed Frederic Ozanam was an extraordinary sensitivity to the existence of poverty in any form and the needs of the poor.

St. Vincent himself was aware of the terrible plight of the people and the Church in Ireland in his own lifetime in 1646 he sent a group of priests and brothers to help with the ministry to the people in Limerick and Cashel. Some of these died of the plague and one was martyred by Cromwellian soldiers in front of his mother. St. Vincent kept in regular touch with them and also kept his community informed of the awful conditions of the people among whom his priests were working.

They both had an exceptional ability to see what needed to be done and then organise the necessary aid in an effective and relevant manner. They both understood that for relief of the conditions of poverty to be effective it had to be properly organised. However, their vision was even greater than that.

Fr Perry Gildea - Vincentian Fathers

Cliftonville Road, Belfast 15

They also understood that relief of the conditions of poverty was only part of the struggle. Addressing the causes of poverty was of even greater importance when it could be done.

Reading through the history of the work of the Society in Ireland reveals a remarkable catalogue of effort in addressing the various forms of poverty which were present in Irish society at various times. There were schools, hostels for the homeless, provision of days for the young and old who never had an opportunity for such. And all the time there was the quiet visiting of the poor, the lonely, the sick. the constant provision of food, clothes, heating, educational support which forms the constant backbone of the Society.

History records how the society responded in the past to times of economic crises. Perhaps that should be remembered and offer us encouragement as the Western economy grinds to a halt and economic hardship once again will affect the poor more than others.

It is noteworthy that in all the major assemblies and gatherings of the Society during its 162 years in Ireland top of the list of concerns about the Society and its’ conduct of business was the question of Spirituality. That concern needs reflection. We live in a time of increased social awareness and an ever increasing number of charities both local and international. Global awareness has resulted in major organisations which can rush aid to any part of the globe quickly and often very effectively.

The Society being an international one shares in this ability to provide aid quickly through its local conferences around the globe. However it must be always remembered that the Society is not simply another national and international humanitarian agency. True it is humanitarian but with a specific motivation.

Archived Reflections....click here

St. Vincent and Ozanam were not simply touched by the conditions of poverty they addressed. They saw in the poor the face of Christ. What they did and what they hope we will continue to do was live the Gospel of Love.

St. Vincent and Ozanam were driven by the Gospel example of love given by Christ himself and his reminder that whatsoever we do for the poor is done to him, because he identifies himself with and in the poor. For the Vincentian we help the poor because we love the poor who need our help. This must be the hallmark of all we do it must be done with love for every individual as being uniquely loved by God himself. We are those who make God’s love real and active in their lives.

This is the tradition which we inherit from two great saints, which we must cherish and nurture, and which we celebrate today as we commemorate their memory in this Eucharist.

We must always remember that the source of our motivation and our love for the poor is to be found in this Eucharist where Christ gives himself to us in love and invitation. St. Vincent and Ozanam found their strength in the Word of God and the sacraments. If we are to preserve and pass on their charism to a world where as Christ himself reminded us there will always be the poor, we too must nourish ourselves at the table of the Eucharist and the table of the Word of God.

Fr Perry October 2008)

St Vincent helping the poor