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When our personal efforts pay off with the results we’d hoped for, we naturally feel a sense of exhilaration, and even pride in our accomplishment. We pat ourselves on the back a little bit, hang a certificate on the wall, or put a trophy on a shelf. We tend to do the same thing collectively, too, when the group we are part of tallies up the results of our work.
To be a member of the Society of St Vincent de Paul is not merely to volunteer, because to volunteer is to do something. Vincentians are not called simply to do something, but rather to be something. That is the nature of a calling, or vocation.
Loving “for love alone” means embracing the Great Commandment: giving the neighbor our full heart, soul, mind, and strength. It is deep empathy, shared dignity, thoughtful understanding of poverty’s causes, and concrete action that brings presence, hope, and real support to those who suffer.
Friendship with those we serve requires mutual trust: it’s not enough to trust our neighbors—we must also earn their trust. Judging their choices undermines trust; seeking the good strengthens it. As St. Vincent teaches, trust in God and trust in our neighbors are inseparable. Only through authentic trust can truly fraternal relationships grow.
James Davis, a joyful and faithful Vincentian, touched countless lives despite years of suffering. A devoted family man and respected leader, he inspired others through his writing, workshops, and heartfelt presence. His friendship and legacy of love, service, and spiritual guidance continue to bless all who knew him.
At 83, Getúlio do Espírito Santo Torres, from Imperatriz (Maranhão), keeps the flame of the SSVP alive. Despite illness and the weakening of the Conferences, he has never lost hope or the joy of serving. A true example of faith, perseverance, and Vincentian love, he welcomes missionaries, takes part in activities, and celebrates the return of young people to the SSVP in Maranhão.
From October 30 to November 2, Panama City opened its arms to the speakers and National Presidents of the SSVP from South America, Central America and the Caribbean, joined by delegations from the USA, Canada, Spain, and Portugal.
Love for God has two forms: affective love (warm feelings, contemplation) and effective love (action and service). St. Vincent teaches that true love is proven by work done for others, especially the poor. As Aquinas said, to love is to will the good of another; thus, to love God is to do His will by serving those in need, uniting faith and works in love.
The Vincentian vocation reveals an irony: by serving others, we grow in holiness ourselves. Frédéric Ozanam taught that charity unites love of God, neighbor, and self—not as selfishness, but as gratitude for God’s gift of life. True love of neighbor flows from divine love within us, making every act of service an act of love for God.
Vincentians are called to act for the poor with patience and discernment, remembering that God works in His own time. Urgency must be balanced by prayer, unity, and consensus, seeking not quick results but God’s will. True success and holiness come from selfless service, guided by the Spirit, trusting that works rooted in God will endure.
As requests for aid increase, Vincentians face the challenge of expanding services without losing their spiritual essence. True charity, rooted in love, humility, and personal encounter, risks becoming transactional when efficiency outweighs compassion. Growth must honor Vincentian values—keeping service Christ-centered, personal, and transformative, never just operational or bureaucratic.
St. Vincent taught that love is “inventive even to infinity,” seen supremely in the Eucharist, where Christ ensures His abiding presence. In Communion, we unite with Jesus, the Church, and all the faithful—living and departed—sharing the joy of the Communion of Saints. The Eucharist inspires us to love and serve others, embodying Christ’s presence among the poor and uniting us in holiness.
