All the members of the worldwide Vincentian Family are actively ministering and praying that this pandemic will not bring greater suffering upon those men and women who are already living on the existential peripheries of our society. At this time of great need and social distancing, many people extend their hands to provide necessary relief to those people who are suffering and in pain.

The Vincentian branch of the Family in Medellin, Colombia (known as Aguapaneleros de la noche: https://www.Facebook.com/Aguapaneleros-Medellin-246116902255600) has sent us some photos of the work that they have undertaken (following at the same time the guidelines that the government has established). They have also shared us an invitation to hope as can be seen in the beautiful poem that is found at the end of this post.

May the world of our time, which is searching, sometimes with anguish, sometimes with hope, be enabled to receive the good news not from evangelizers who are dejected, discouraged, impatient or anx­ious, but from ministers of the Gospel whose lives glow with fervour, who have first received the joy of Christ (Evangelii Gaudium, #10).

Our joy
must be more contagious
than the virus that afflicts us!

Therefore, we are encouraged,
greatly encouraged,
to reflect upon the Word
to give life to that Word
so the Word can be transmitted to others…

There is an urgency to fulfill this mission
so that families might be rescued
from the crisis that they currently experience!

Let us not allow this time to pass
this time that presents us with the opportunity
to communicate hope.
Let us respond to the call
and not delay …
so many people long to hear
such words of hope!

Let us be the voice of Jesus
who filled the people of his era with hope!
My brothers and sisters,
let us be light to the world!
The Spirit demands this of us!