The Legacy Of Saint Vincent de Paul

The natural disasters from hurricanes, to earthquakes, and to tsunami events are a reminder to us all the importance of charity. The areas of Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Mexico, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, and Japan devastated by natural disasters are reliant upon the charitable giving of others to restore cities and communities.

The Roman Catholic Church observes the feast day for St. Vincent de Paul on Wednesday, September 27^th. This is appropriate timing because St. Vincent de Paul is known as the patron saint for charitable causes. The society that bears his name, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, is synonymous with parish fundraising and charitable giving on a grassroots level.

During his life, St. Vincent de Paul was responsible for the creation of some huge charitable organizations that helped to mobilize good works in order to assist the poor in France. That legacy lives on today with the charitable giving on a parish level in several countries throughout the world.

The events of the past few weeks have left thousands with nothing. They have no home, no food, no clothing, and no place to turn. The focus on alms giving, charitable giving is what Our Lord preached to us in The Gospels. Those same Gospel messages continue with the emphasis that this type of good deed should be done quietly, privately, and without drawing attention of others.

The example of St. Vincent de Paul should remain at the forefront of our thoughts as our world deals with multiple natural disasters happening simultaneously. The spirit of charity also involves aspects of hope and faith. This is part of the legacy of St. Vincent de Paul as well.

It stands to reason that without having hope that God Our Heavenly Father will provide for our needs despite all the other obstacles in life, charity would not exist.

Furthermore, it stands to reason that without faith that God Our Heavenly Father will protect us and guide us toward people, places, and situations in which we can provide assistance to those in need, charity would not exist.

The concept of surrendering to the will of God is also involved in charitable works and was certainly part of St. Vincent de Paul’s life. I am sure that at many points this great saint had to surrender to the will of God in order to find the strength and courage needed to begin any number of different charitable activities. It is an example for us to follow as we seek to follow the will of God in our own lives.

In the life of St. Vincent de Paul, I am sure he gained a significant amount of courage, faith, and a reaffirmed sense of purpose when he was captured by Barbary pirates and escaped from their confinement two years later. I am certain that experience was part of God’s plan for his life to prepare him for a life of service and charity.

His ministry included a role in which he was the chaplain to imprisoned galley slaves in France. That experience as well as his efforts to bring food and clothing to war victims and refugees coming over from Africa began the early stages of the charitable organization now synonymous with his name.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society is ubiquitous with charitable giving and “innumerable” parishes have a society or affiliated chapter. The membership level today is approximately 800,000 members in 140 countries globally. The organization was started in France in 1833 to respond to a growing need for outreach to the poor and needy living is destitute conditions in certain areas of Paris.

The role of this organization and others will take on even greater importance in response to the catastrophic events of the past six weeks. The images from Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean islands are distressing and heartbreaking. The need for charity, kindness, and mercy is paramount. I encourage all of who read this to pray to Our Blessed Mother as we pray the first three Hail Mary prayers in the beginning of the Holy Rosary for an increase in: faith, hope, as well as love and charity.

May the Lord bring us all to a spirit of charity for those in need during this difficult and tragic time for so many of our sisters and brothers throughout the world. May the Lord bring us to think of Saint Vincent de Paul and identify with his example of charitable works for those in need , we pray for the intercession of Saint Vincent de Paul in this regard. May God Our Heavenly Father bless those in Mexico, Japan, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, and throughout the world who are suffering so greatly. God bless you all and bring you to show charity to those in desperate need.