Brother René Stockman, Superior General of the Brothers of Charity, guide us through a meaningful novena of reflections on the life and spirituality of Saint Vincent de Paul. Known worldwide for his dedication to education, healthcare, and service to the poor, Brother René is also a deeply respected voice in the Vincentian Family. His insights, born from years of experience leading a global congregation, shed light on how Saint Vincent’s vision of charity continues to inspire and challenge us today.

Saint Vincent de Paul, often called the “Apostle of Charity,” was not content with offering temporary relief to those in need. Instead, he developed a new style of charity rooted in humility, simplicity, and deep trust in God’s providence. His mission was not only to feed the hungry or care for the sick, but also to see the face of Christ in every poor person, treating them with dignity and love. Vincent’s example reminds us that authentic charity is more than material help—it is a way of life shaped by compassion, respect, and collaboration.

In these novena reflections, Brother René helps us rediscover this spirit. He presents Vincent not as a distant figure of history, but as a guide for our own times, when poverty and exclusion take many different forms. Each day, we are invited to reflect on themes such as recognizing Jesus in the poor, uniting prayer with service, trusting in God’s providence, and serving with humility. These are not abstract ideas but practical attitudes that can transform how we live our faith in daily life.

Through Brother René’s words, we come to see that Saint Vincent’s legacy is not limited to the past. It is alive wherever people choose to love generously, serve humbly, and walk hand in hand with those who are most vulnerable. This novena is more than a devotional exercise—it is a call to action, a challenge to let ourselves be transformed by the same Spirit that guided Vincent de Paul.

We invite you to join us on this journey of nine days. Let the reflections nourish your heart, inspire your prayer, and renew your commitment to live a faith that is active in love.

Stay with us, and continue to follow new videos throughout the novena in the coming days.

Day 1:

Day 1, summary:

The reflection introduces Saint Vincent de Paul as the patron saint of charity, known for his service to the poor and the sick. It emphasizes that he was an ordinary man who, through life’s circumstances and encounters, was gradually transformed into a saint. His journey shows that holiness is a universal calling.

Vincent was born into a modest French family and personally experienced poverty. Although his family had some resources, his early life in a humble environment shaped his deep sensitivity to the struggles of the poor. Initially, Vincent’s motivation for becoming a priest at age nineteen was not purely spiritual but also practical: to rise socially and secure financial stability for himself and his family. For about ten years, his focus was on gaining wealth, status, and benefices, though these efforts often failed.

Despite his intelligence and talents, Vincent struggled with discouragement, pessimism, and personal weaknesses. Yet it was precisely through failures, disappointments, and trials—including false accusations and even a period of slavery—that God redirected his life’s purpose. Key figures also influenced him: Cardinal de Bérulle introduced him to the call to holiness and pastoral ministry; St. Francis de Sales impressed upon him the idea that every person, regardless of state in life, is called to holiness; and the noble Gondi family exposed him to the dire spiritual and material needs of rural communities.

Profound experiences of both kinds of poverty marked Vincent’s conversion. He was struck by the confession of a dying peasant who had lived for years without priestly guidance, revealing the depth of spiritual neglect. At the same time, he saw material deprivation and mobilized communities to respond in solidarity. These encounters transformed his priorities from self-advancement to selfless service.

From this turning point, Vincent dedicated his life to addressing both spiritual and material poverty. His efforts led to the foundation of two great institutions: the Congregation of the Mission, focused on evangelization and formation of clergy, and the Daughters of Charity, dedicated to serving the poor in practical ways.

Ultimately, Vincent emerged as a man of prayer, profoundly reliant on divine providence, who worked tirelessly not for his own gain but for the dignity and salvation of others. His life demonstrates how God can transform human limitations into a mission of holiness and charity.

Day 2:

Day 2, summary:

This reflection highlights the enduring mission of Saint Vincent de Paul, particularly his profound vision of the poor. For Vincent, the poor were not simply individuals in need but the living icons of Christ. He insisted that Christians must see, meet, and love Jesus in the face of the poor. Furthermore, he described the poor as “our masters”—a concept he borrowed and radicalized. By this, he meant that the poor should be regarded both as those we serve with humility and as teachers from whom we can learn. Just as Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, Vincent urged believers to place themselves at the feet of the poor in love and service.

Another essential aspect of his legacy is the inseparable bond between prayer and service. Vincent taught that helping the poor is not separate from prayer but an extension of it. He told the Daughters of Charity that if someone in need knocked on their door during prayer, they should stop, or rather continue their prayer in service, since Christ is equally present in the poor as in the Eucharist. In this way, Vincent united action and contemplation, embodying what he called “leaving God for God.” He insisted that only those who know Christ in prayer can truly recognize Him in the poor. This approach made service itself a form of incarnated prayer.

Vincent illustrated this vision with a striking image: looking at a medal, one side shows the poor in their misery, but when turned, the other side reveals the face of Christ. Such a perspective reshapes Christian mentality, urging respect, humility, and love in every encounter with the poor.

The reflection also shares personal experiences to emphasize the challenge and beauty of living this vision. Sometimes it is difficult to see Christ in the poor, especially when situations become unpleasant or disruptive. Yet Vincent’s teaching calls for unconditional love and recognition of Christ in every person, without exception.

Ultimately, Vincent de Paul remains deeply relevant today. His insistence on recognizing the poor as masters, uniting prayer with service, and seeing Christ in the marginalized continues to challenge and inspire. His spirituality urges us to not only give material help but also offer attention, respect, and love—meeting Jesus himself in those who suffer.

Day 3:

Day 3, summary:

This reflection focuses on Saint Vincent de Paul’s distinctive style of charity, which went beyond simply giving material aid. For Vincent, true charity was a whole mentality shaped by God’s love. He taught that loving the poor was inseparable from loving God, since all authentic service must be rooted in divine love. Human affection needed to be purified and transformed into God’s love, so that in serving the poor one was truly sharing God’s own compassion.

Central to his approach were the virtues of humility and simplicity. Humility meant setting aside one’s own ego and placing the other first, following the example of Christ who emptied himself. Simplicity referred to living transparently, speaking and acting with sincerity, and meeting others without arrogance. Vincent emphasized that only a humble and simple heart can genuinely enter into the lives of the poor. Along with charity, these became the three essential virtues he entrusted to his followers.

Vincent also insisted on recognizing and loving Jesus in the poor. Drawing from Matthew 25, he reminded his communities that serving the poor was serving Christ himself. This vision demanded respect and personal attention. He described, for instance, how to care for the sick: knock before entering their room, greet them warmly, serve meals with dignity, pray with them, and show effective love through small details. Compassion was at the heart of charity—feeling the suffering of others and responding in concrete, effective ways.

Another key element in Vincent’s life was his deep trust in divine providence. He advised always to “walk with providence”—neither rushing ahead nor lagging behind, but discerning God’s timing in every decision. This trust gave him patience and confidence in God’s guidance.

Equally important was his ability to collaborate. Vincent recognized that charity required collective effort. He first engaged wealthy women to provide food for the poor, an unusual initiative at the time, and later founded communities like the Congregation of the Mission and the Daughters of Charity. His success lay not only in personal dedication but also in mobilizing others to join the mission.

Ultimately, Vincent de Paul’s “new style of charity” united divine love, humility, simplicity, compassion, trust in providence, and collaboration. His example challenges us today to serve the poor with respect, to see Christ in them, and to build communities of love and service rooted in God’s grace.