Reflections on the Rule
June 2026 - Second Meeting
2.5.1 Essential Virtues
Vincentians seek to emulate St. Vincent in the five virtues essential for promoting love and respect for the poor:
- Simplicity – frankness, integrity, genuineness.
- Humility – accepting the truth about our frailties, gifts, talents, and charism, yet knowing that all that God gives us is for others and that we can achieve nothing of eternal value without His grace.
- Gentleness – friendly assurance and invincible goodwill, which mean kindness, sweetness and patience in our relationship with others.
- Selflessness – dying to our ego with a life of self-sacrifice; members share their time, their possessions, their talents and themselves in a spirit of generosity.
- Zeal – a passion for the full flourishing and eternal happiness of every person.
Reflection:
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines a virtue as “a habitual and firm disposition to do the good. It allows the person not only to perform good acts, but to give the best of oneself” (CCC #1803). Virtues are not attained simply by willing ourselves to acquire them. They first must be desired, so much so that they motivate us to take action. Only when this happens over and over again until it becomes a habit can a virtue eventually become part of one’s very being. Virtues are about seeking the good in oneself and transforming it from what one believes, wants, or does into what one is.
Vincentian Meditation:
The virtues of the society of St. Vincent de Paul reflect the unique vision St. Vincent had of Jesus. Jesus was and is many things, but Vincent found that these five virtues were the most important virtues one could strive for to be more like Jesus. St. Vincent once said, “Remember, Monsieur, that roses are not gathered except in the midst of thorns and that heroic acts of virtue are accomplished only in weakness” (vincentians.com). In this manner, Vincent highlights the virtues of humility and selflessness. By choosing to be servants to the poor we can work toward attaining these virtues and thus fulfill Vincent’s vision for our Society.
Discussion:
Which of these Vincentian virtues does your Conference reflect well? Which virtue(s) present(s) the greatest challenge to your conference? Why?
Closing Prayer:
Most gracious Lord, thank you for blessing us with the gift of these virtues and with the gift of the most perfect example of how to live them. Give us guidance when we struggle to follow your example as St. Vincent de Paul envisioned. Help us to be better servants to our neighbors and better Vincentians in every aspect of our lives. We pray that, by your grace, we may come to more fully model Simplicity, Humility, Gentleness, Selflessness and Zeal. Amen.
June 2026 - First Meeting
2.4 The Spirituality of Blessed Frederic Ozanam
The spirituality of one of its founders inspires Vincentians profoundly. The Blessed Frederic Ozanam:
- Sought to renew faith, among all people, in Christ and in the civilising effect of the teachings of the Church through all time.
- Envisioned the establishment of a network of charity and social justice encircling the world.
- Attained holiness as a layman through living the Gospel fully in all aspects of his life.
- Had a passion for truth, democracy and education.
2.5 The Spirituality of St. Vincent
Having been placed under the patronage of St. Vincent de Paul by the founding members, members of the Society are inspired by his spirituality, manifest in his attitudes, his thoughts, his example and his words. For Vincentians, the key aspects of St. Vincent’s spirituality are:
- To love God, our Father, with the sweat of our brow and the strength of our arms;
- To see Christ in the poor and the poor in Christ;
- To share the compassionate and liberating love of Christ the Evangelizer and Servant of the poor;
- To heed the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Reflection:
Vincentian Spirituality is often rightly called an “active contemplative” spirituality—and that is very much in keeping with the spirituality of both Frederic and Vincent. As we think about the most impactful moments of our experience as Vincentians, we likely think both of moments of contemplation (a particularly meaningful reflection at a Conference meeting or a prayer that we shared with a neighbor) and moments of action (the time we were able to deliver beds to a family sleeping on the floor or Thanksgiving dinner to an elderly neighbor). It is the union of these two types of experiences, as well as the relationships we share with our fellow Vincentians and the people we serve, that paints the complete picture of Vincentian life
Vincentian Meditation:
As we learn more about the spirituality of Vincent and Frederic, we see that they have been models for our active and contemplative work. They challenge us to find the balance between:
- Charity and justice
- Prayer and action
- Growth in personal holiness and service to those in need
Finding our balance is an ongoing challenge. It is important to frequently assess where we fall on the spectrum of these focus areas. Are we “in balance?”
Discussion:
Reflecting on Vincent’s call to “love God by the sweat of our brow and the strength of our arms,” when was a time when you were able, by your own effort, to make a difference in someone’s life?
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for giving us Vincent and Frederic as role models. Help us to always remember to see You in the people you send to us and to remember our call to bring You to our brothers and sisters in need. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
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