Vincentian roots of Jesuit Saint

Archbishop Ricardo Ezzati of Santiago, Chile said 20th century saint Alberto Hurtado’s example of devotion, love and sacrifice rooted in Christ inspires Catholics to transform their lives.

Readers of famvin may recall an article that traces the Vincentian roots of this saint.

The life of St. Alberto Hurtado, whose feast day was celebrated on Aug. 18, “is not a sign for us to admire or praise, but rather a sign that inspires us to transform our lives to make them into an admirable sign of the love of Christ.”

During his life, the saint “had to train his heart, his spirit and his ideals in order conform them more and more to the image of Jesus,” Archbishop Ezzati said during an Aug. 16 Mass at  the Catholic University of Chile.

“He became a sign of closeness, of acceptance, of kindness, of predilection for the humble and the poor. In this way, he contributed to making the kingdom of justice, love and peace grow.”

Like St. Alberto, he continued, the faithful are called to be “totally of God, consecrated to his kingdom, and at the same time totally committed to the service of others, especially those who are poorest.”