“Monsieur, let people think and say whatever they wish. Rest assured that the maxims of Jesus Christ and the examples of His life are not misleading; they produce their fruit in due time. Anything not in comformity with them is vain and everything turns out badly for one who acts according to the contrary maxims. Such is my belief and such is my experience. In the name of God, Monsieur, hold that as infallible.” (CCD II, letter 606).

Vincent de Paul

Reflection:

1. “Let people think and say whatever they wish…” It would be good to know how this impacted Bernard Codoing, superior in Rome in 1642. Because the “philippic” is addressed to him. Why? Simple: the good superior had consulted with Mr. Vincent on the possibility of giving missions through the lands of the cardinals, justifying the question in what they would think of the Congregation if they refused. Possibly it was nothing more than to thank the intervention of some cardinals in the difficult recognition of the Congregation by the Holy See (1632).
2. And here comes the man of convictions named Vincent, and not so much for giving missions in the lands of the cardinals (in short, that is what they did everywhere) but by the reasoning used by Father Codoing about “thinking or saying” of the cardinals. In short: there must be missions where circumstances make it possible, regardless of the consequences that may result from a negative. Was there in between a foundation in a cardinal city? … Perhaps here is the key to the refusal of Mr. Vincent.
3. Curious is one of the arguments: “such is my belief and such is my experience.” The first is clear: Faith in “that the maxims of Jesus Christ and the examples of His life are not misleading; they produce their fruit in due time,” that “anything not in comformity with them is vain and everything turns out badly for one who acts according to the contrary maxims.” Now, what is his experience? For I know the acquired in the many refusals he gave to found in certain “bishoprics” either by “principle” or by the “lack of economic guarantees” to guarantee the permanence of the foundation.
4. But he does not explain his experience in this writing. Hence, he takes refuge in a frequent mystical argument: we must follow the principles and examples of Jesus Christ and, he adds, “in the name of God, Monsieur, hold that as infallible.”

Questions for dialogue:

1. Do we confront all our actions with those of Jesus Christ?
2. How is the status of our “simplicity” and “cunning”?
3. In the development of our works, do we consider the motives of “foundation” or “maintenance”?
4. Do we give time for our work to thrive?

Mitxel Olabuenaga, C.M.