Being Evangelized by the Poor
Presentation by Eva Villar, International President of MISEVI The title of my presentation has two traditional words rooted in the charism of the Vincentian Family “the poor” and evangelization. Paradoxically, they are inseparable and distinct, yet a sign of a style that provides the Church a small grain of wealth.
From within this ecclesial milieu it is not surprising to hear Christians who live out their vocation serving the poor say that “the poor evangelize us.” We also feel the same way. It is with this title and this assertion that we begin our reflection.
The center of Vincentian Spirituality is the poor. This is best expressed by St. Vincent’s phrase in which he acknowledges that the poor are “Our lords and masters.”
Evangelization is also a central point of Vincentian Spirituality – spiritual and corporal evangelization. St. Vincent did not miss any occasion to recall this point to the Charities (laity), through whom it all began; to the Congregation of the Mission, to whom he indicated that their service must also include corporal needs; and to the Daughters of Charity, with the request that they not forget “the soul”of the person they were serving.
Today, this idea is expressed in the words “Holistic evangelization” for the Good News must reach and transform men and women in every dimension of their lives. It must liberate every man and woman.
Let us now move on to describing in greater depth the meaning of the phrase, which is the title of this talk: “being evangelised by the poor” ?which is an invitation that we cannot refuse given that we make our life in the service of the poor, and pass as witnesses who affirm: “the poor evangelise us”