September 27 2022 - St. Vincent de Paul - "I belong to God and to the poor"

 St. Vincent writes, “It is our duty to prefer the service of the poor to everything else and to offer such service as quickly as possible…Do not become upset or feel guilty even if your prayers are interrupted to serve the poor.”

While a young priest in Paris, St. Vincent encountered the hungry, the homeless, war refugees, neglected elderly men, women, and children, and those who had been spiritually abandoned. And so out of charity, he devoted his life to their care. He set up many houses for the poor, crippled and sick and personally cared for the patients who had the most contagious diseases. He would dress their wounds and nurse them back to health.

A wealthy friend helped Vincent form the Vincentians—a congregation of priests who took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience and devoted themselves to work among the poor. Over time, Vincent established many confraternities of charity for the spiritual and physical relief of the poor and sick.  Out of these groups grew the Vincentian nuns or Daughters of Charity who have served in our own diocese since 1865.  

Almost 200 years after his death, an admirer and devotee of St. Vincent named Frederic Ozanam founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul which is now a worldwide society made up of over 800,000 members, including a conference at our own parish, 

Here at St. Ignatius, members of the SVDP conference meets on 2nd and 4th Thursdays, but work together throughout the entire month, to meet the needs of those who turn to the assistance of the Church in our neighborhood, like assisting with utility bills, locating furniture and appliances, putting together bags of food for our neighbors, and visiting and praying with them. It is supported mostly by the generous donations of our parishioners. 

St. Vincent’s apostolate can be summarized in his saying: “It is not sufficient for me to love God if I do not love my neighbor…I belong to God and to the poor.”    

Through his intercession, may our love for God, neighbor, and the poor be ever more deeply kindled for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That all Christians may grow in charitable attentiveness to the needs of the poor in our midst.

That all those searching and longing for Christ may find him through the witness of His Holy Church.

That the work and ministry of all Vincentian organizations and charitable institutions may bear fruit for the spread of the Gospel.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord