Texts by Ozanam
The Character of Vincentian Leaders • A Weekly Reflection with Ozanam
In a Society that grows, and whose main purpose is to work for the renewal of faith and charity among men, in which...
There is no “You” without “Me,” nor “I” without “You” • A Weekly Reflection with Ozanam
The "I" is truly importunate and hateful, that selfish solitude does not suit the needs of my character; I need the...
We Are All Responsible • A Weekly Reflection with Ozanam
All Catholic countries have placed charity in the law, but what has saved them is that they have not extinguished it...
Useless Servants • A Weekly Reflection with Ozanam
We are useless servants: such is the testimony that must give those who unite to serve God and men. [...] Not to show ourselves, but let us to be seen: such could be our formula and is, more or less, among the maxims of a great apostle of charity, Saint Francis de...
The Fundamentals of our Faith • A Weekly Reflection with Ozanam
Our century has forgotten to such an extent the Christian language of our parents that it is difficult to speak without involuntarily flattering the passions of bad citizens, and without hurting the timidity of honest people. When we are moved by the advances of...
No One Succors the Poor Better than the Poor Themselves • A Weekly Reflection with Ozanam
Citizens of every condition, You, to whom the rigor of the times has taken away you the superfluous, you, who lack what is necessary, can do more than others, because of the evils you know. All who have the experience of public charity know that no one succours the...
People are Generous • A Weekly Reflection with Ozanam
Representatives of the people, Do not plead want of money. If the ordinary resources should come to fail you, if there should be nothing more to hope for from credit and reserve funds, hope everything still from the generosity of France. Openly announce the measures...
Working Tirelessly for the Impoverished • A Weekly Reflection with Ozanam
Representatives of the people, Do not say that you lack time. Under the shootings of the insurrection, the National Assembly asked the night for the hours denied by the day. I saw you on all the barricades, haranguing the factious, encouraging the defenders of order,...
It Is Better to Do Little than to Do Nothing • A Weekly Reflection with Ozanam
Representatives of the people, Do not say that you lack inspiration. [...] We do not ignore the obstacles or the rivalries, nor the imperfections that stop each project and that perpetuate the debates. But we have never seen that great powers were instituted by easy...
We Never Do Enough • A Weekly Reflection with Ozanam
Representatives of the people, We respect the magnitude and the difficulty of your task. We are not those who, by the temerity of their accusations, have the misfortune to weaken the last power capable of saving society. You continue, with just slowness, your work, by...
Goods are for Everyone • A Weekly Reflection with Ozanam
Rich men, He who taught us to pray for our daily bread nowhere advises us to secure to ourselves ten years of luxury. We live in days without examples, in which it may be wise to sacrifice the future to the present and the economy to necessity. [...] Give the alms of...
Priests Committed to the Poor and the Needy • A Weekly Reflection with Ozanam
Priests, do not be offended at the freedom of speech which a layman uses in appealing to your zeal. [...] Mistrust yourselves, mistrust the habits and customs of a more peaceful period, and have less doubt of the power of your ministry and its popularity. It is true,...