Fr. Ron Ramson. C.M. reflects on answers to this question.
We read in Sacred Scripture that Jesus frequently took his Apostles aside to speak to them. He pulled them from whatever they were doing to spend special time together. It was a time for twelve friends to be alone with their Teacher.
We read also in Sacred Scripture that Jesus occasionally gave special attention to three of the Apostles: Peter, James and John. The Transfiguration is an outstanding example of this. Later in his life, St. Peter speaks of this occasion in his Second Letter (1:16-18). It was a time for special formation for a few.
In Acts 15, St. Luke narrates Jesus’ earliest disciples meeting at Jerusalem to discuss what obligations from Jewish Law, if any, should be imposed upon Gentile converts. It was a membership question.
Since the foundation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in 1833, members have been holding meetings. In the early years, they held general meetings four times a year. These meetings were scheduled quarterly around liturgical feast days. At the meetings, reports were presented. Blessed Frederic mentions a report he had written for one such meeting in Paris.
The general meetings were times for friends to gather and enjoy each other’s company and to encourage one another in their ministry to the poor. Friends were a source of inspiration, as well as vital information. Members learned new and better ways from others in how to minister to the poor.
For the remainder of the reflection visit the national website of the SSVDP
