During 2014, the National Council of Brazil (CNB) of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul proposed that all Vincentians reflect on the theme “Missionaries in Charity.” It was a preferred topic in the meetings of the Conferences and the Councils during that year, in the spiritual readings and in the trainings that were carried out for both Vincentians and those assisted.

This reflection proposal addresses two important aspects of Vincentian work: the missionary aspect and the charitable aspect. Being charitable and being a missionary are, in reality, fundamental conditions so that the partners can be proclaimed Vincentians and thus have the opportunity to make home visits to humble people.

We cannot confuse “missionaries in charity” with “missionaries of charity.” The two prepositions (in and of) may seem synonymous, but they have different senses. Missionaries of charity conveys the idea that we, Vincentians, are “representatives of charity,” and therefore, as missionaries, we develop a social and spiritual role. However, missionaries in charity point out a greater sense of belonging, that is, we are not mere representatives of charity, but we are so involved in it that we consider ourselves “within” it. “Missionaries in charity” arouses empathy, participation, communion, commitment and insertion.

The missionary spirit moves all the partners, ignited by charity, to leave the comfort of their homes to travel weekly to the meetings of the Conferences, to the visits and to the ecclesial celebrations. This first step, which may seem trivial to many, is not always taken. How many people never did an act of fraternity, or go to Holy Mass only at baptisms or funerals? Therefore, the first stage of the “missionary fire” practice begins in the “rise” and in the availability of time and talent for the Vincentian cause.

Another missionary aspect that we cannot forget is the one that has to do with the family. If we do not defend the family “with nails and teeth,” it is of no use to be a missionary. Much of the problems that exist today in civil society (violence, crimes, drugs, corruption, materialism, selfishness, etc.) come from the destruction of the family. Let’s fight this secular tendency by adopting the model of the Holy Family (Joseph, Mary and Jesus).

Another fundamental element for the practice of the missionary spirit is to know how to evangelize, not only by carrying the Word of God through the reading of the Gospels during home visits, but also through Vincentian witness. Attendees always observe us and we need to be, for them, examples of Christian and human values.

All these stages can only be carried out effectively if charity is at the heart of the faithful. Charity moves us. It is she who forgives everything and endures everything. Through it we are drawn to the work of Christ and fraternal love, to the brothers who suffer. Without it, we stop being “missionaries” to be mere “social activists.”

To be a missionary in charity is to adopt the same position outside or inside the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, at the time of the visit or outside it; that is, it is a lifestyle that crosses all dimensions of the human being. All this reflection will only succeed if there is also a great revitalization in Vincentian units, with creativity, charity and missionary spirit.

Renato Lima de Oliveira
16th General President of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul