Mutuality in Ministry – Ozanam and Rosalie

In celebration of her feast day February 9 , VinFormation offers this presentation about the Mutuality in Ministry of Bl. Rosalie Rendu, and Bl. Frederic Ozanam illustrating the power of Vincentian collaboration and mentoring. The presentation is based on excerpts from “Unfolding the Legacy: Key Figures in the Tradition” by Betty Ann McNeil, DC.

From the Vatican biography of Rosalie…

• Her faith, solid as a rock and clear as a spring, revealed Jesus Christ in all circumstances. She daily experienced this conviction of St. Vincent: “You will go and visit the poor ten times a day, and ten times a day you will find God there … you go into their poor homes, but you find God there.” Her prayer life was intense, as a Sister affirmed, “… she continually lived in the presence of God. Even if she had a difficult mission to fulfill, we were always assured of seeing her go to the chapel or finding her on her knees in her office.” 
• She was attentive to assuring that her companions had time for prayer, but sometimes there was a need to “leave God for God” as Vincent de Paul taught his Daughters. Once, while accompanying a Sister on a charitable visit, she said to her: “Sister, let’s begin our meditation!” She suggested the plan, the outline, in a few simple, clear words and entered into prayer.
• Like a monk in the cloister, Sr. Rosalie walked with her God. She would speak to God of this family in distress as the father no longer had any work, of this elderly person who risked dying alone in an attic: “Never have I prayed so well as in the streets,” she would say.