Some Preliminaries:

This month, we continue our series of reflections on the Final Document of the II International Convocation, held in Rome in November 2024. This time, our focus is on the third section: “Eyes Open Wide to the Present in a Genuine Conversation with God.”

We invite you to read this section beforehand so that your group discussions and shared prayer may be even more meaningful. As in previous months, each confraternity is encouraged to appoint a secretary to take notes during the reflection and post them in the “Comments” section of the reflection published on famvin.org (in both English and Spanish). In this way, we continue to build together a space of shared learning and communion in the spirit of the Vincentian Family.

Click on the following image to download the full document in English:

Text for Reflection:

REFLECTION

This month we focus our attention on the last two elements which, when realized in our midst, will ensure the vitality and long-term impact of the Vincentian Family. Both of these elements are related to one another: reinterpreting the charism in an on-going manner and celebrating our heritage.

Note that the text begins with affirming Vincent’s original intuition: service on behalf of our sisters and brothers who are poor and marginalized. Nevertheless, in light of present-day challenges the approach to that ministry will need to be adapted to the present reality. So many individuals encounter struggles to survive on a daily basis. For example, countless individuals lack access to safe, clean, and affordable drinking water. This is a fundamental human right and yet over 2 billion people globally lack this necessity at home. Severe heath risks are created as a result of contamination issues and climate-driven water sacristy. Contaminated water causes diseases like cholera and typhoid and low-income and minority populations often face higher risks of water contamination. Combine this reality with the inequitable disparities in health care and it becomes clear that we are in the midst of a crisis … two billion people represents 25% of the world’s population (yes, that is a crisis).

Yet, access to clean drinking water is only one of the many crises that “our neighbors” must confront on a daily basis, situations that demand a creative response from the Vincentian Family. In this regard we must be inventive unto infinity … and here is where a team, collaborative approach to ministry takes on great importance. Group reflection and discernment with the beneficiaries of our ministry can lead to previously unimagined solutions. Look at what has happened with the 13 houses initiative … over 10,000 families now have housing security … an amazing accomplishment.

All of this reveals that importance of organized, coordinated charitable efforts. Vincent de Paul, Louise de Marillac, Frederic Ozanam and the many of the Founders of the various branches of our international Family recognized the urgent need for this approach when dealing with “alms giving”. They understood that organized charitable efforts seek systemic change by shifting from short-term relief to addressing root causes, reconfiguring policies, power structures, and cultural norms.

In this regard, I have no hesitation in stating that even the “home visit”, which is the number one priority of the Society of Vincent de Paul, can be viewed as a systemic change approach to ministry. Yes, when this ministry is done properly, the dignity of the individuals who are being visited is affirmed. The very fact that we take time to listen “to our lords and masters” reveals that we hold them as sacred and unique and special. They are sacred because they represent both the suffering/crucified Jesus as well as the hopeful/resurrected Jesus. They are unique and special because their journey through life, their experiences, and their story cannot be duplicated. Home visits can transform lives, the lives of those being visited as well as our own lives … but for this to happen a process of communal prayer and reflection is necessary.

Lastly, when we are involved in any form of transformative ministry, celebration is essential and necessary. It must be remembered the systemic change is a long process and therefore, even small victories are to be celebrated. Years ago, a group of us were involved in affordable housing initiatives in New York City. On three different occasions we had attempted to have a meeting with the mayor … and were denied said meeting. Finally, on our fourth attempt, the mayor listened to us, but told us he could not support our initiative because there was no funding available. The fact that we were provided with an opportunity to speak with the mayor was cause for celebration … we met later that day in the leader’s home, we had coffee and cake, we sang songs and danced. Well, you can imagine the celebration when one month later we obtained 10 million dollars to make this dream a reality … and another celebration when we began construction … and another celebration when we began interviewing perspective families, and another celebration when families began to take possession of their new homes … and another celebration when we repaid the loan … When engaged in a systemic change approach, one cannot celebrate only when the final goal is achieved. That could be years away. We have to celebrate at each stage of the process, even when it might appear that nothing has happened. SaintPaul exhorts us to rejoice and celebrate … to rejoice and celebrate anew… to rejoice and celebrate again and again … to rejoice and celebrate always. Let’s do it.

Some questions for reflection:

[1] How can our prophetic call be lived in the midst of the situation in which we find ourselves?

[2] What are the challenges that are calling for a creative response?

[3] Even if you are not a member of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, do you see an importance to visiting the poor in their homes?

[4] In what ways can you celebrate the victories in your journey with those who are on the peripheries?