In 1850 speaking to a Conference in Florence, Blessed Frederic Ozanam recalled the beginnings of the Society of St. Vincent dePaul: “Those reproaches were justified and we certainly deserved them. We therefore said to ourselves: Well then, let us set to work ! Let our actions be in tune with our Faith. But what can we do to be truly Catholic? Let us help our neighbour, just as Jesus Christ used to do, and let us place our Faith under the protection of Charity. ”

Read the full reflection by Karl Michael Hila“Let us go to the poor”
OZANAM MEDITATION (February 2013)
“Let us Go to The Poor ”

Scripture Reading:

“The spirit of the Lord is upon me; therefore he has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, recovery of sight to the blind and release to prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the Lord.” (Luke 4: 16-20)

Social Justice Teaching of the Church: Preferential Protection for the Poor

We believe that we touch Christ when we touch the needy. The Church teaches that we will be judged by what we choose to do or not to do in regard to the hungry, the thirsty, the sick, the
homeless, the prisoner. Today the Church expresses this teaching in terms of “the preferential option for the poor.”

Frederic’s Ideas and Ideals:

When challenged in the Conference of History to identify what he and his friends were doing for those in need, Ozanam spontaneously responded: “Let us go to the Poor.”

In 1850 speaking to a Conference in Florence, Frederic recalled that beginning: “Those reproaches were justified and we certainly deserved them. We therefore said to ourselves: Well then, let us set to work ! Let our actions be in tune with our Faith. But what can we do to be truly Catholic? Let us help our neighbour, just as Jesus Christ used to do, and let us place our Faith under the protection of Charity. ”

Our Vision:

Systemic Change call us to “design projects, creative approaches, policies and guidelines that flow from our Christian and Vincentian values and mission.” The purpose is to “evangelize while maintaining a profound respect for local culture, thus enculturating Christian and Vincentian charism and values in that culture.”

Sharing:

Why did you choose to become a Vincentian and “go to the poor”? How has it affected your spirituality?

Closing Prayer:

O God, give us creativity in helping the poor meet their basic human needs. Open our minds and hearts so that we might stand at their side and assist them to change whatever unjust structures keep them poor. Enable us to be brothers and sisters to them, friends who walk with them in their struggle for fundamental human rights. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen