Vincent called lay people forward to engage in apostolic works and, given discernment of an issue, did not hesitate to break new ground in pastoral practice.November 28, 2000

The following article was written by Fr Tony Mannix CM for the September 2000 issue of ‘Oceania Vincentian’ . (‘Oceania Vincentian’ is a Publication in the Australian Province of the Vincentians):

I    THE MISSION THEN  (1)

Origins revisited

Vincent was confirmed in his mission to the poor but was still discovering its extent when, on 17 April 1625, the contract was drawn up with the De Gondis to provide a sure foundation from which the mission could move forward. Convinced “that poor people are losing their souls because they are ignorant of the truths necessary for salvation and because they do not know how to go to confession, ” he had discerned the pastoral action to take: “It was knowing this state of affairs that made us establish the company” . (2)   He responded to the need.

The numbers of poor in Paris and throughout France were great, yet Vincent was never put off  by that nor deterred from making a start by the fewness of personnel.  He responded as and where he could, however inadequate the response seemed to be. The Congregation numbered only about forty-six members by 1635, ten years from its foundation, yet Vincent wrote to Antoine Portail later that year, “How fearful I am, Monsieur, of big numbers and expansion. And how many reasons do we not have to bless God who allows us to be few in number, like the disciples of his Son!” (3)   It was the spirit that counted — the Spirit who counted!

Statistical probabilities did not complicate Vincent’s making decisions. At the level of faith and in the context of prayer, he observed the need, sought wisdom in discerning the will of God, waited for some indication of being called to a particular mission (eventually expressed as “responding to the call of the bishops”) and then he deployed what personnel and funds were available. “Are you fully aware … that we have the maxim and practice of not requesting any foundations, and that Our Lord alone has established us in the places where we now are?” (4)   The need always far exceeded the resources of  the Congregation to meet it adequately.  Having discerned a situation, Vincent acted upon it.

Others involved, too

Vincent and the Congregation were not the only ones to respond to these needs. He supported and welcomed the efforts of others. Of his contemporaries, consider St John Eudes working in the Normandy region and Jean Jacques Olier in Paris. He knew them and learned from their experiences, too. He was not in competition with others working or able to work in the field, so he bypassed the cities and turned to the country districts.

From such a small base he did not hesitate to send members of the Congregation to distant places: country France, Rome, North Africa, Britain, Madagascar, Poland …

For the remainder of the articles visit
http://www.vincentians.org.au/vinstudiesmisspoor.htm

Vincent called lay people forward to engage in apostolic works and, given discernment of an issue, did not hesitate to break new ground in pastoral practice.November 28, 2000

The following article was written by Fr Tony Mannix CM for the September 2000 issue of ‘Oceania Vincentian’ . (‘Oceania Vincentian’ is a Publication in the Australian Province of the Vincentians):

I    THE MISSION THEN  (1)

Origins revisited

Vincent was confirmed in his mission to the poor but was still discovering its extent when, on 17 April 1625, the contract was drawn up with the De Gondis to provide a sure foundation from which the mission could move forward. Convinced “that poor people are losing their souls because they are ignorant of the truths necessary for salvation and because they do not know how to go to confession, ” he had discerned the pastoral action to take: “It was knowing this state of affairs that made us establish the company” . (2)   He responded to the need.

The numbers of poor in Paris and throughout France were great, yet Vincent was never put off  by that nor deterred from making a start by the fewness of personnel.  He responded as and where he could, however inadequate the response seemed to be. The Congregation numbered only about forty-six members by 1635, ten years from its foundation, yet Vincent wrote to Antoine Portail later that year, “How fearful I am, Monsieur, of big numbers and expansion. And how many reasons do we not have to bless God who allows us to be few in number, like the disciples of his Son!” (3)   It was the spirit that counted — the Spirit who counted!

Statistical probabilities did not complicate Vincent’s making decisions. At the level of faith and in the context of prayer, he observed the need, sought wisdom in discerning the will of God, waited for some indication of being called to a particular mission (eventually expressed as “responding to the call of the bishops”) and then he deployed what personnel and funds were available. “Are you fully aware … that we have the maxim and practice of not requesting any foundations, and that Our Lord alone has established us in the places where we now are?” (4)   The need always far exceeded the resources of  the Congregation to meet it adequately.  Having discerned a situation, Vincent acted upon it.

Others involved, too

Vincent and the Congregation were not the only ones to respond to these needs. He supported and welcomed the efforts of others. Of his contemporaries, consider St John Eudes working in the Normandy region and Jean Jacques Olier in Paris. He knew them and learned from their experiences, too. He was not in competition with others working or able to work in the field, so he bypassed the cities and turned to the country districts.

From such a small base he did not hesitate to send members of the Congregation to distant places: country France, Rome, North Africa, Britain, Madagascar, Poland …

For the remainder of the articles visit
http://www.vincentians.org.au/vinstudiesmisspoor.htm