As Vincentians, we are people of contemplation and action in pursuit of our primary purpose, which is our growth in holiness. Many of us, having become members in order to live our faith through works of charity, can be tempted to view contemplation as a distraction from that work, to believe that contemplation comes at the expense of action (and vice versa).

That’s not how Vincent saw it, though. He made very clear that “all our reasons are fruitless if they don’t go on to actions,” but while for him action is necessary, it is not sufficient. Just as our prayer, separated from action, can give us an illusion of holiness, our action, separated from prayer, can become superficial and compulsive. [Manual, 62] For Vincentians, it is not a matter of choosing either contemplation or action, but of integrating the two at all times.

Our work is our prayer, and our prayer is our work.

It seems clear, then, that the thing which is most important for us to contemplate is our action, if we truly believe, with Frédéric, that “visiting the poor should be the means and not the end of our association.” [182, to Lallier, 1838] It takes intention to keep our work connected to our growth through our prayer. Individually, using tools like the Home Visit Journal, we each can dig deeper into our own encounters with Christ, examining how He changed us, and seeking to discern what He is calling us to do now.

But it is at least as important that we also share our insights with each other in our Conference meetings, where, rather than limiting ourselves to dry reports focused on assistance recommendations, we share the personal inspirations and transformation that we received. Our spiritual growth derives from our connection with each other. No member goes on every home visit, but we all can grow from the visits we share with each other in this way. Created by God to live in community, we are enriched by the growth of others, gaining new insights, walking together with each other on our path towards holiness.

The poor whom we serve often suffer in silence; they are invisible to much of society, separated from true community. It is their very invisibility that urges us to make space in our hearts, as Frédéric put it, “to properly contemplate the invisible world, the real world” and to give “enough attention to the two companions who walk with us always: God and death.” [70, to Falconnet, 1834] When we accompany the poor, it is not only for them, but for us, in the hope that they may in turn accompany us. As Frédéric reminds us, “the blessing of the poor is a blessing from God.” [1457, Report, 1834]

Contemplate

Do I truly see my work as a prayer? Do I share it, or keep it to myself?

By Timothy Williams,
Senior Director of Formation & Leadership Development
Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA.