(This homily was preached at the Basilica Shrine of the Miraculous Medal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

If ever a psalm could set a tone for celebrating an anniversary, psalm 98 is the one. This is the 400th centennial of St. Vincent de Paul’s founding of not just his congregation of brothers and priests, but also of his sparking a whole new impulse in the Church and world that has echoed all through those centuries since.

The psalm reads: “Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous deeds.” This verse sings out a melody that came into our world back in 1625. It’s one that not only continues into the present day but also carries the kind of rhythm and lilt that promises to keep on drawing followers well into the future.

That newness in the 1600’s sprang up from one man’s inner experience of something that is always burning in the heart of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. And that is: love for the poor, care and concern for the outcasts and forgotten in society

Vincent de Paul was taken up into the momentum of one verse in Luke’s 4th chapter: “He has sent me to bring the Good News to the poor.” This charge, going back to the prophet Isaiah, began to shape his values and direct his life in a way that emerged as an inner flame, one that fired up not only Vincent, but a host of other men and women who were stirred by this “new song” the Spirit was singing. Its lyrics: “Proclaim the Good News of God’s care and love and do that especially to the poor.”

The bracing strains of this song began to catch hold not only of Vincent’s priests and brothers, and of his sisters, the Daughters of Charity, but also a host of other men and women, tens of thousands over the centuries among both laity and religious.

This stirring melody that so caught up Vincent played itself out in the caring hands of so many others – people like the members of the Ladies of Charity, of the Vincent de Paul Societies, and many other renditions of that same “new song.”

The second phrase in Psalm 92, “for the Lord has done marvelous deeds,” has also surfaced clearly in the 400 years – in parish missions, seminary education for diocesan clergy. In all parts of the globe, it’s taken form in like-minded communities of priests and sisters, lay associations formed to help the needy. And most recently, it has emerged in a worldwide effort to alleviate homelessness, which so far has provided residences for more than 10,000 people in need. This “new song” continues to be sung. And these marvelous deeds of the Lord continue to lean into the future.

Over the years, the list of those who have absorbed Vincent’s spirituality and have lived it heroically is a lengthy one. It includes at least 8 canonized saints, among whom are our own Catherine Labore and Mother Elizabeth Seton.

Just recently, with this anniversary in mind, Pope Francis wrote a letter to Fr. Thomas Mavric, the head of the Vincentians in Rome. In it he shared his hope that this yearlong celebration will highlight the importance and relevance of Vincent’s vision for today, particularly in terms of helping those whom the Pope describes as “those living on the fringes of a shadowy, throwaway culture.”

Francis ends his letter by assuring all of us in the worldwide Vincentian Family that he will remain close to us in prayer over this anniversary year, during this time of “singing to the Lord a new song because of the marvelous deeds He has done” — in Vincent and all his faithful followers.

And especially relevant to us here in this Basilica Shine of the Miraculous Medal, the Holy Father ends his letter by commending all the members of the Vincentian world to “the maternal intercession of Mary.” Francis finishes with his blessing.

The upshot. Along with the psalmist, we too are to “sing this new song to the Lord in thanksgiving for the marvelous deeds He has done” – through Vincent’s heritage over these 400 fruit-bearing years.