27 September 2021
Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest
Today is the memorial of St. Vincent De Paul. His name is well known due to the prominent place the Vincent De Paul society plays in serving the needs of the less fortunate in our world. It is no surprise that he was a saint that devoted much of his life to works of charity and to the service of the poor. St. Vincent is a great model for us of the Gospel value we hear today, welcoming others and serving others in the name of Christ.
Philanthropy is a beautiful and popular thing in our world today. Christian charity is never just philanthropy, because of an important addition. Jesus says that we are called to receive the least among us “in his name” and in doing so we receive him. This is a key and interior intention that distinguishes Christian charity, and the greatest saints of service kept this at the heart of their works. St. Vincent said, “We should pray continually that God may grant us that spirit of compassion (towards the sufferings of others) which is truly the spirit of God.” And with this spirit, he continues, “We must love our neighbor as being made in the image of God and as an object of His love.”
St. Vincent reminds us of the power of one who sees in his neighbor the face of God and who responds to this need by welcoming this neighbor in the name of Christ. Let us pray for this grace to have a compassionate heart.