Vincentians – ordinary people evangelizing

Canadian Vincentian Lynn L’Heureux offers this insight…

We are ordinary people called by God as Paul was.  We sin, we get angry and we make many mistakes.  God, however, is quite extraordinary, and he does extraordinary works with ordinary and imperfect people like us.  He calls, we say “yes” and evangelization around the world begins.

Saint Vincent de Paul heard this call.  Was he perfect?  He was ordinary and God worked with him.  We can’t do it on our own.  Vincent planted a seed and he evangelized around the world.  He even changed the way the Church reacted to the poor.  Today, our preferential option for the poor was inspired by his writings and work.  God works through ordinary people.

Frederic Ozanam, was an ordinary man.  He struggled with health, this faith and God called him and he said, “Yes”.  Frederic evangelized around the world, with God’s guidance.  We are Vincentians in SSVP, because of Frederic.  We are Vincentians because of Vincent.  Two ordinary men, say “Yes” to our Lord by going out to the world to make a difference.

It is not just men who are called.  Look at our other role models in the Vincentian family.

Blessed Rosalie Rendu  an ordinary woman with  little formal education and yet she taught many in all ranks.  She said “Yes” to God and drew people to him from far and wide. She taught Frederic and is team on how to do home visits.  She knew our Lord well and talked to Him a lot in prayer. She led many to serve our Lord with love and continues today to show us the way.

Louise de Marilac said, “Yes” to the call and became a pioneer in religious life and service to others.  She worked with Vincent and drew so many women to follow.  She and the sisters loved and served Christ.  “Love the poor, honour them my children as you would honour Christ himself” (Louise de Marilac).  She was a wife, mother, teacher, nurse, social worker and religious leader.  She stands as a model to all women and lives in the Vincentian Family today, still learning from her passion and love of those in need.

Taken from her January 29 newsletter.

Lynn  L’Heureux is Special needs co-coordinator & Advisor of the Society of St Vincent de Paul Calgary Alberta Canada