Reflection:

1. The abundant repetition of the key importance of the five virtues for the missionary can lead us to deceit, thinking that we acquire them in the Seminary and live by them, with them or in spite of them from then on. Not at all. To more perfection, more difficulty in the improvement that, in the thought of Mr. Vincent, comes from the “permanent fighting against the enemy.” Could it be otherwise? In conclusion: the desire of being virtuous is not easy.
2. These five maxims (in the Daughters of Charity “reduced” to three) should not only shape the missionary’s being and action, but also the Community’s. Perhaps this is an aspect that is “taken for granted” or as “sum” of the individualities. It is not, in my view, a conclusion so evident as the sum of the individual virtues is not necessarily reflected in the Communities or in the Works of the Communities. Too often (not always right) we are accused, for example, of living poorly but our works do not reflect such poverty.
3. The task, then, of individuals and communities is to “be filled with and grow in them.” Two verbs extremely explanatory of this vital “task”: “be filled” and “grow.” The first refers to “temporality,” to “patience,” to situations that, with exceptions, take time … In culinary terms we could say this action of “being filled” is like meals that must be cooked “slow roasted.” The second shows us the objective of work: “to grow,” not so much to grow “more” but to grow “better,” with quality.
4. This effort to improve brings effort, sacrifice and patience. It is a vital task. “We protest that we’ll take up arms as long as we can.” A good choice but “what can we do without Your help?” That is why this prayer ends: “This is the grace we humbly ask of You, Lord.” Being virtuous (in any realm of life) is not easy. It is certainly a question of “qualities” and “training.” Being virtuous “on a personal level” is not only in our hands.