''Evolution of Charity'' (in the Vincentian Tradition
Text of presentation by Patricia de Nava, former President of the AIC, at the Vincentian Month held in Paris, July 2002 Down through the centuries, we Vincentians have been given the task to lead the project of our Founder in such a way that the gospel spirit of charity becomes a reality in the world. St. Vincent drew his inspiration from the imitation of Christ, whom he preached and he went far in his love for all, especially the lowly, the weak, and the poor. Today this precept is alive and active in the Vincentian Family, but times have changed, society has been subjected to a great evolution. That is why, we, the various branches of the Vincentian Family, are questioning how to transform our methods of intervening so as to better respond in an evangelical spirit of charity. Charity, as Vincentians understand it, is always the same for its essence includes transcendent values and unchanging universality. It is linked to mercy and solidarity, attentive listening to the cries of the poor, fighting to defend their rights and against injustice. All of these ideas have been present for over 400 years within a process of holistic liberation for the poorest.
When speaking of the evolution of charity, we allude to a manner of doing it by searching for new roads adapted to the realities and challenges coming forth from today? world. This journey is long and will never be completed. What is needed is an ongoing process of reflection, analysis, dialogue and action, always trying to live out faithfully the teachings of Jesus Christ in inventive and creative ways, as St. Vincent did in his time.
This evolution is in direct relationship to a consistent process by those who commit to live charity as well as by those who are the recipients; that is, those who are the poorest, our lords and masters. Today? poor are not yesterday? poor. We must listen to them in order to respond to their needs, requests, demands and to the complex situation of poverty that is increasing more and more in spite of the efforts of many.
Throughout this day of work, we are going to ask ourselves about our own responses to the cries of the poor, greatly linked to the evolution of various poverties and the reality of the poorest. Next, I am going to refer to the lived out experience of our Association.
The AIC has travelled a road riddled with hope, challenges and difficulties, but it has been invaluable for it as been our road, filled with deep analysis and awareness of realities. This road that is ours is part of another that is even longer and wider, having different aspects that we have followed, sometimes on the side, sometimes following behind, other times pointing out the way, with other branches of the Vincentian Family, especially the Congregation of the Mission and the Daughters of Charity.
I am going to try to lead you along the route that led the AIC to new conquests and to propose new objectives, through an analysis of innovative ideas that sprang up from the experience of volunteers within a country or the documents of large international organizations or the Church. We will deepen and study these ideas from the viewpoint of the fundamental project of St. Vincent.