A very thoughtful “Examen for a Vincentian” – From the appendix to Ozanam: A Layman for Now by Shaun McCarty, ST
How do you see yourself as poor?
How do you see yourself as needing the poor for your personal spiritual growth?
What special gift do you have for helping the poor?
What kinds of poverty have you found and tried to help alleviate?
Do you spend more energy in discovering needs not yet met or in reporting on those you have?
How do you help the poor beyond providing material things?
Do you take time to listen to the people you help?
How do their needs affect your prayer?
How do you show concern for the poor who suffer elsewhere in the world?
What do you do to remove the causes of people’s poverty?
Do you care who gets the credit for the good you do?
What effort do you make to see if anyone else can meet the needs that you meet?
How, as a Vincentian, are you related to the Church?
What are the special needs of the Church in your region?
Do you see your work as a Vincentian as ministry?
How well are you working together with other Vincentians?
Do you attend meetings regularly?
Are you finding spiritual nourishment from them?
How shared is your decision-making?
Has growth in numbers and funds hurt or helped personal attention to the poor?
Tags: Society of St. Vincent de Paul
