The following text seeks to draw a parallel between the Vincentian mission and the “culture of encounter,” which was so strongly emphasized by our beloved Pope Francis. It could be said that this appeal Francis made to us during his pontificate was already being lived out by St. Vincent de Paul in his own time. For Vincent, mission never began with a project, but with a real, sincere, and authentic experience of encountering Christ present in those who are poorest.

One of the defining features of Francis’ pontificate was his call for us to foster what has become known as the “culture of encounter.” For him, this culture means building bridges among people and their traditions, communities, and nations in pursuit of a fraternal dialogue characterized by solidarity and inclusion. Such an encounter is born from and grounded in the Gospels, where Jesus himself did not look first at a person’s sin, problem, or social condition. Instead, he listened attentively, awakened hope, and restored the dignity of those who encountered him.

“Every encounter is fruitful. Every encounter restores people and things to their proper place” (Pope Francis).

The Vincentian charism is, in its essence, an encounter. We can say this because its origins were marked by two decisive experiences in the life of St. Vincent de Paul, as Vincent himself tells us. “In the small village of Folleville, in the French countryside, Father Vincent preached the first sermon of the mission in 1617, thus inaugurating the Vincentian charism.” The second experience took place in Châtillon-les-Dombes: “The discovery of the extreme poverty and complete deprivation suffered by a local family became the subject of his preaching at one of the Masses and inspired people of goodwill to undertake a ‘movement of solidarity and sharing […] on behalf of those most in need.’”

These two events reveal to us that the Vincentian charism was not born from a theory, a project, or a pastoral plan. It was through the reality experienced by those who were poorest and through encounters with people marked by suffering—with those in need of reconciliation with God and those living in poverty and abandonment as an illness affected their entire family—that Vincent came to recognize those most in need as our “lords and masters.” For this reason, encounter lies at the very heart of the Vincentian charism.

Both Vincent de Paul and Pope Francis, in promoting and encouraging the “culture of encounter,” teach us that this process requires closeness. We must draw near and touch others, as Jesus did: “Jesus entered the house of Peter, and saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her” (Mt 8:14-15). Christ’s touch, however, does not merely heal; it transforms: “She got up and began to serve them” (Mt 8:15).

Therefore, as Vincentians cultivate the “culture of encounter,” they are called to live out charity. The two go hand in hand, reminding us that love of neighbor is not limited to material assistance, but also includes closeness, attentive listening, and recognition of every human being’s dignity.

Vincentian brothers and sisters are called to make the “culture of encounter” a reality by living out charity in their everyday actions. This mission does not depend on large initiatives or extraordinary events. Rather, it is carried out through small gestures of welcome, listening, respect, and service, cultivated each day within the family, in the workplace or at school, in the parish community, and especially in the Conference to which they belong. Through faithfulness to these simple gestures, charity becomes a tangible witness to the Gospel and the Vincentian charism.

In a time marked by indifference, polarization, and individualism, the Vincentian mission is a constant invitation to make encounter a true path of evangelization. Inspired by St. Vincent de Paul and strengthened by the teaching of Pope Francis, we are called to go beyond ourselves and reach out to those most in need, recognizing the living presence of Christ in every person who is poor. Only a charity born of encounter, listening, and closeness can transform lives and restore human dignity. Living the Vincentian charism, therefore, means first and foremost building the culture of encounter each day and becoming signs of God’s merciful love in the world.

Fr. Túlio Medeiros da Silva, CM
Source: https://www.ssvpbrasil.org.br/