Mercy was a motivating factor behind each of the charitable works of St. Vincent and the early Congregation of the Mission, Daughters and Ladies of Charity. In this Jubilee Year of Mercy Frederic’s E-Gazette raises an excellent End-of-Year question, which is a Vincentian Question: How have I been touched by the mercy of God?

Pope Francis tells us:

“The Holy Year must keep alive the desire to know how to welcome the numerous signs of the tenderness which God offers to the whole world and, above all, to those who suffer, who are alone and abandoned, without hope of being pardoned or feeling the Father’s love.”

This is a Holy Year to experience strongly within us the joy of having been found by Jesus, the Good Shepherd who has come in search of us because we were lost. A jubilee to receive the warmth of His love when He bears us upon His shoulders and brings us back to the Father’s house. A year in which to be touched by the Lord Jesus and to be transformed by His mercy, so that we may become witnesses to mercy.

For Vincentian resources for the Year of Mercy, please go to:

Year of Mercy: Special Concern of Vincentians

From December 30, 2015 edition of the Frederic’s E-Gazette

An e-newsletter from the National Council of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul®

Ed. note: See also this rich study of Vincent and mercy.