Putting On the Virtue of Gentleness
November 29, 2022
St. Vincent tells the Daughters of Charity that nothing conquers the hearts of those who are angry or bitter more than gentleness.1 Finally, in the principal conference that he gave on gentleness, on March 28, 1659, St. Vincent states emphatically that it is the virtue of “a true missionary.”2 In another conference given five months later on the five characteristic virtues, he underlines how essential gentleness is in dealing with poor, often ignorant, country people.3
1CCD IX, 261.
2CCD XII, 189.
3CCD XII, 305.
Source: Fr. Robert P. Maloney, C.M. A Further Look at “Gentleness”
Thanks, Bob,
In this period of Gratitude, Gentle Generosity is the perfect complementary virtue. Just read America’s interview with the Pope and it is suffused with Gentleness from on High. Your reflection and his interview struck me as an inspired matched set for Advent action orientation.
Joe Bellacosa