We read in Sacred Scripture that Our Lord Jesus Christ, sent on earth for the salvation of the human race, did not begin by teaching; He began by doing. And what He did was to integrate fully into His life every type of virtue. He then went on to teach, by preaching the good news… Read More »
Lord help me to imitate your way of loving and acting: you said that you had come upon earth to serve not to be served. Teach me to show great gentleness towards all, To imitate your goodness in welcoming them. Like you, I want to love tenderly to be respectful to all those I meet,… Read More »
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded in Paris as a result of the spiritual aspirations and social commitment felt by a group of students led by Bl. Frédéric Ozanam (beatified in 1997). SVDP has a Rule, which sets out its vocation, organization, and mission. More information about the Rule can be found… Read More »
Bl. Frédéric Ozanam (1813-1853) was born on April 23, 1813 in Milan, Italy. On April 23, 1833 Frederic and six companions founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Also, St. Vincent de Paul was born on April 24, 1581. To commemorate these events the Society in the United States celebrates the last Sunday of… Read More »
Open my eyes that I may see the deepest needs of men, women and children Move my hands that they may feed the hungry; Touch my heart that it may bring warmth to the despairing; Teach me the generosity that welcomes strangers; Let me share my possessions with people in need; Give me the care… Read More »
As an example of the impact your kindness has, here is some feedback we received from a SVdP client: We share a client in East Brunswick who we helped in the summer with an electric bill and we have been delivering groceries. Today when I was dropping off groceries she came to the car with… Read More »
When Pope Francis appointed 50-year-old Archbishop Konrad Krajewski to the post of Papal Almoner (an office that raises funds for and carries out acts of charity on behalf of the Pope) he explained that the Holy Father told him: “You can sell your desk. You don’t need it. You need to get out of the… Read More »
Pope Francis made his first trip of his papacy outside Rome to Lampedusa, a small island off Sicily that had become a flashpoint for asylum-seeking refugees. Tragically, an overloaded boat sank, killing hundreds of men, women, and children from Libya and Eritrea. There, he prayed, visited survivors, thanked those caring for the refugees, and put… Read More »
“For all of us, then, the season of Lent in this Jubilee Year is a favorable time to overcome our existential alienation by listening to God’s word and by practicing the works of mercy. In the corporal works of mercy we touch the flesh of Christ in our brothers and sisters who need to be… Read More »
In St. Vincent’s life, bringing God’s peace to others was a constant call: he reminded his colleagues that “God’s Spirit is a spirit of peace, a gentle inspiration that slips in without any commotion. Everything He does is always followed by calmness and gentleness; He is the God of peace and union. He cannot tolerate… Read More »