Two themes — continuity and renewal — emerge from a study of the lives of St. Vincent de Paul and Frederic Ozanam, says Jaime Corera, C.M. First: CONTINUITY.

The thinking and writings of Frederic point out a more profound continuity, a continuity that goes to the very heart of that which is referred to as the Vincentian spirit. Several modern syntheses of this spirit have pointed out the central and radical role that the will of God played in Vincent’s spirituality. Abelly, the first biographer of Vincent, saw this clearly when he stated: conformity of his own will to the will of God was the moving force and the overriding virtue of this holy man, shedding its light on all his other virtues (Louis Abelly, Volume III, p. 40). This was also true with regard to Vincent’s characteristic virtue of love of the poor. This same reality became the foundation of Frederic’s spirituality: So far I have asked for God’s light in order to know his will … now I need God to give me the strength to fulfill his will.

What role does the will of God play in your life?

Read the “continuity” section of Corera’s article, “Continuity and Renewal of the Vincentian Spirit: Blessed Frederic Ozanam,” and reflect on this question during your time of personal prayer. To say “#IamVincent or #IamFrederic means you have to meditate on their lives.