In a beautifully illustrated presentation Fr. Ed Udovic presents an original essay on “Vincent’s Values – A spiritual perspective” (Click on Graphic)

He walks us through two significant texts at the core of Vincent’s Values – the story of the Good Samaritan and Jesus proclaiming his mission in the temple before religious leaders of the day. The vision is embodied in the five virtues which he sees as fundamental to his life – humility, simplicity, meekness, mortification and zeal. He translates these as honesty, approachability, self-disciplined, realistic and hard working.

See also Fr. Robert Maloney’s article The way of Vincent de Paul: five characteristic virtues

One final word. The word character usually denotes a seal, a sign, a visible mark by which someone or something can be recognized . The virtues described above in seventeenth and twentieth century forms are, to use St. Vincent ‘s phrase, the characteristic virtues of his followers. They are the signs by which his followers are meant to be recognized. It is vitally important that each era reinterpret these signs in order that the spirit of St. Vincent might continue to live in a way that is relevant in each succeeding age. The author offers the preceding thoughts as a small contribution toward that end and welcomes the comments of others who might wish to advance the endeavor further.