Christians are human beings of the Holy Spirit, but it is a lifelong process. In this process there are always temptations, inside and outside distracters that lead us astray, recession, and return to the “natural life without the Spirit” (Jude 1:19). We need to retreat and discern each day in order to be renewed in the Holy Spirit, as Saint Vincent said: “The Holy Spirit is like the heat to ripen the fruits.”

As the resin in the trunk brings fruits in the season, the Holy Spirit working in the Christians soul also brings forth the Holy harvest with many fruits of Holiness. The fruits of The Holy Spirit are: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5, 22-23). Vincentians need to go deeper into the content of each of these words, especially in this special year we celebrate 400 years of the Vincentian charism. We remember that our founder harvested many fruits that were very holy in his life.

Charity: is unshakable mercy; Is love to the end; Always do good things to others, whether they treat you badly or hurt us. It is love that gives freedom and strength, can connect and heal all wounds. That is the love of the Holy Spirit manifested in us, so that weakness in us becomes strong, our poverty becomes rich, our vibrancy becomes steadfast, our cowardice where we become brave … Saint Vincent said: “Charity is what? If not love and gentleness” (SV II, 298).

Joy: This word in Greek is used to describe the deep joy in God (Ps 30:11, Rm 14:17, 15, 13). It is a joy to live in harmony with God, to be in harmony with oneself, to be compatible with others, to be in harmony with nature. It is a fresh and renewable life, to rise up every day in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Saint Vincent said: “The affection and warmth are two virtues needed when working with the poor in the rural areas” (SV XI, 68).

Peace: This word in Greek refers to the occupation of a benevolent under the righteous charity of an emperor, the same as the Shalom in Hebrew: Both what benefits and the best for man. This is the peace of a deeply conscious soul that lives in God’s hands. There are sorrows and darkness in life, but in the Spirit, we will live peacefully. Because we believe and entrust everything in God. That is the peace that Jesus gave the disciples after His resurrection, and today for those who live in His Spirit. Saint Vincent said: “Entrusting all to providential love, when we sacrificed the best of oneself” (SV VII, 597).

Forbearance: In 1 Micah 8.4 it shows that the forbearance is the triumph of the spirit over failure, never subdues or is discouraged before all difficult miseries. The New Testament has repeatedly used this forbearance to refer to God’s heart for us (cf. Rm 2,4; 9,22; 1 Tim 1:18; 1Pr 3,20). It is through this forbearance that we see the profound inner forces of a righteous man upon the power of the Spirit. Saint Vincent said “patience is the virtue of the perfect person” (SV X, 181).

Kindness: This term in the New Testament is often translated as gentle or sweet (cf. Tt 3: 4, Rm 2,4). Longtime wine is called chrestos: sweet. Christ’s yoke is called chrestos (Mt 11:30). Those who bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit are as sweet as Christ. Saint Vincent said: “One can only conquer the poor in missionary countries with gentleness and kindness” (SV IV, 52).

Goodness: Saint Paul uses this word only in the Bible, not in the Hebrew text (cf. Rm 15,14, Ep 5,9, 2 TL 1,11). The agathosune is good, but repairable and brings about righteousness, such as Jesus purifying the temple. Christians are virtuous, but also strong, not weak at the deviations of human life. Saint Vincent said: “Extremely humble, extremely gentle, always careful and very adaptable to the disability of others” ( SV IV, 58).

Faithfulness: An unchanging heart. This term is used extensively in the Bible, to refer first to God. “He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them- He remains faithful forever.” (Ps 146: 6). The faithfuls are those who show the great heart of God. Saint Vincent said: “So stand firm in the state in which God has placed you …. Stand firm in this spirit” (SV X, 103-104)

Gentleness: This word has three meanings: Compliance with God’s will (cf Mt 5,5, 11,29; 21,5). Easy to teach, self-learning to learn (cf. Gc 1:21). Being knowledgeable, smart (cf 1Cr 4.21, 2Cr 10.1). Gentleness in the Bible is the noble virtue that only God can give. Saint Vincent said, “Nothing can change the most cruel souls with gentleness virtue” (SV IX, 261).

Self- control: Platonis used this word with the meaning of “self-control,” mastering all desires and physical passion (cf. 1 Cor 7: 9); have disciplined oneself (cf. 1Cr 9,25), do not follow the interests. In one of his conversations with a father in the Congregation of Mission, Saint Vincent said: “I am deeply saddened that instead of teaching catechism in the evening, you preached on missions. This is not accepted because lays need catechism and it is more beneficial to them” (SV VI, 379).

Hopefully, this Holy year of the Vincentian family provides good opportunities to receive and live fully the fruits of the Holy Spirit in your life. From that, we will find joy and happiness to follow the spiritual Vincent every day. The fruits of the Holy Spirit will become the most effective spiritual equipment to serve the poor of the poorest.