Lent is a journey to the cross, where we contemplate the suffering and sacrifice of Christ. But this journey is not meant to be distant or abstract; it calls us into solidarity with those who carry heavy burdens today—the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized.
Almsgiving is often understood as the act of giving money or resources to those in need. While this is important, the Vincentian perspective challenges us to go deeper. True almsgiving is not just about giving things but about sharing life, dignity, and love with those who suffer.
Lent is a time of deep prayer, a season when we seek to grow closer to God. Yet, true prayer is not only spoken words or silent meditation; it is also an active encounter with God in the realities of our world. Vincentian spirituality teaches us that prayer is inseparable from action and that we hear God’s voice most clearly in the cries of the poor.
Father Tomaž Mavrič, CM’s Lenten letter invites the Vincentian Family to deepen their understanding of the virtues of St. Vincent de Paul — humility, simplicity, and charity — inspiring us to look at the poorest with committed love. Thanks to the Vincentian Family Translators’ Fellowship, this reflection is now available as a podcast to listen to, download, and share.
From a Vincentian perspective, fasting takes on a deeper, more transformative meaning. St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac teach us that true fasting is not merely about personal sacrifice but about redirecting our energy, time, and resources toward the needs of the poor. It is a call to move beyond superficial renunciations and embrace a fast that changes not just ourselves but also the world around us.
The most extreme trials can become a path of spiritual growth if we surrender ourselves into God’s hands. Through simplicity, humility, meekness, mortification and zeal for souls, our faith is strengthened and flourishes even in the midst of suffering.
Conversion is not merely about individual piety or moral perfection; it is a radical reorientation toward God and neighbor. For those inspired by Vincentian spirituality, this season emphasizes a commitment to love in action, expressed through compassionate service to those most in need.
