Reflections - St. Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia

Taking Care of Your Family

“Be kindly affectioned to one another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another” (Romans 12:10).

Summer is a time when many people pause their daily routines to spend time with their families. Family vacations are an annual tradition for so many of us in the summer. Some families spend a week at the beach, some take a cruise to explore exotic ports, some visit relatives a few states away, some fly to Europe to see the sights and soak up the culture, some go on a camping adventure in the mountains, and some just stay home and enjoy all that summer has to offer in their own backyard. Some family vacations include only mom, dad, and the kids, while some are bigger, extended family affairs with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins coming together.

Summer is a time to pause from the busy chaos that is everyday life. It’s a time to relax and truly enjoy life without just going through the motions as so many do from day to day. The days are longer, the warm weather allows us to spend more time outside, and the bright blue skies and green grass evoke happiness in the hearts of many. Most importantly, it’s a time to take care of your family by spending quality time together. Passing the time with your family members is a way to show them how much you love and care for them. Whether you journey to distant lands together, enjoy a day at the beach together, or just catch fireflies in your own backyard together, the important thing is that you are spending time together- taking care of each other.

It’s so important to take care of members of your own family, including your children, spouse, parents, siblings and those close to you. It’s equally important to take care of the family members who are our brothers and sisters in Christ. There are many who are not fortunate enough to even have a home in which to live in, let alone take a family vacation. Some of our brothers and sisters have no relatives, living alone with no one to look after them. We must do whatever we can, whether by donating essential supplies like food or clothing, by comforting those who are in need emotionally, or by visiting those who are all alone and providing them company.

Just as Blessed Frédéric Ozanam and his society did in Paris in the 1800s, today members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society work tirelessly to take care of everyone in God’s family. We must remember all our brothers and sisters, not just the ones with whom we share a home, a last name or a blood connection.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community, for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”

Promoting the Common Good

“Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another” (Zechariah 7:9).

Pope John Paul II stated, “We are all really responsible for all.” Every individual in God’s human family has a certain responsibility to cooperate in unity. As members of the human community, we must look out for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

There are ten foundational principles which comprise the social teaching of the Church. The Principle of the Common Good reinforces the idea that social conditions are such that everyone is able to reach his or her full human potential and realize their God given human dignity. The common good is about respecting the rights of all people. The individual does not have unrestricted rights at the expense of others, but the rights of the group do not come before individual rights.

In the view of the Catholic Church, the optimal social conditions require mutual respect among all members of the community, as well as the government maintaining peace and security. These conditions lead to the social well-being and development of each individual. Today, when our world is so closely connected, there is a need for international structures to support the just development of individuals within our global society.

We can look to the Bible for examples of promoting the common good. There is an important lesson in the Book of James, 2: 14-16, which says, “What does it profit, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and no food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm and eat well,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit?”

Matthew 25:35 states, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” This is a powerful lesson about what we should be doing as members of God’s human family. When we bring comfort to the sick, feed the hungry, or clothe the needy, we are reminded of how Jesus taught us to do for the least of our brothers and sisters.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul works to promote the common good in the community. From reaching out to those who are isolated or in need, to speaking out to those in government to make them aware of the needs that exist, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul seeks to turn concern into action. As the Bible states, you must not only have faith, but also take action to help others in need.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community, for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”

God’s Plan Includes Equality for All

“But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the feast” (Luke 14 13:14).

The Catholic Church teaches that all human life is sacred and that each individual is born with God-given dignity. The inherent dignity in every member of the human family is the basis for all the principles of Catholic social teaching. There are ten foundational principles which comprise the social teaching of the Church, one of which is the Principle of Human Equality.

Today’s world is increasingly plagued by growing materialistic attitudes and declining respect for human life. In contrast, the Church teaches that all human life is sacred and that human dignity is the foundation of society’s moral compass. God’s plan for humanity includes giving each person unique gifts and talents. The social, cultural and economic discrimination that occurs because of some people’s differences does not fit in with God’s plan. Every member of the human family has an inherent right to be treated with equality just as they have an inherent right to dignity.

Treating your brothers and sisters fairly, as equals, is a way to define justice, or giving each person his or her due. From a very young age, many children understand the concept of fairness. The concept of treating others with equality can be translated to treating others fairly.

The founder of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, lived in Paris during the June Rebellion of 1832. The world’s most populous city then, Paris was in total chaos from the lack of equality among classes, resulting in the oppression of the poor. Hunger and disease plagued the lower class, causing societal unrest. Food shortages and increases in the cost of living caused extreme hardship for the lower class. A cholera outbreak took the lives of more than 18,000 in Paris, ravaging the poor neighborhoods. Ozanam and other like-minded, young Catholic students at the Sorbonne University saw a path other than dying or killing others to uphold their democratic ideals in the name of social justice and equality. While many at the university eschewed Christian beliefs, Ozanam and his friends were inspired by the Gospel to follow the example of Saint Vincent de Paul and the Sisters of Charity. They ministered to the poor by personal visitation, bringing food, clothing, medicine and firewood to them in their quest for social justice.

Just as Blessed Frédéric Ozanam and his society did in Paris in the 1800s, today members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society work to treat everyone with equality. Ministering to those who are down on their luck or unable to support themselves, or by bringing oppression to the attention of political leaders in an attempt to stop it, helps promote equality among all members of God’s human family. The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community, for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”

Protecting and Preserving God’s Creation

“Humans are commanded to care for God’s creation (Genesis 2:15).”

Summertime is a season for the senses, abounding with awesome natural beauty. Flowers in dazzling colors contrast with lush green grass and brilliant blue skies to create a beautiful landscape. We can truly appreciate the wonder of God’s creation on a sunny summer day. From grassy fields to sandy shores, summer is a showcase of the pure beauty of nature.

In the midst of admiring the glorious summer landscape, we should pause to remember that we are the stewards of this planet. God created the world and has entrusted it to the human beings whom he also created. According to the Bible, we are called by God to be stewards of creation. God has placed the Earth under the management of all his disciples. We ought to obey God and show Him respect by protecting the environment and helping it to flourish. Caring for the Earth and all God’s creation is a fundamental requirement of our faith.

There are ten foundational principles which comprise the social teaching of the Church. The Principle of Stewardship is also known as Care for God’s Creation. Pope Francis states, “Concern for the environment thus needs to be joined to a sincere love for our fellow human beings and an unwavering commitment to resolving the problems of society.” Protection and preservation of the environment helps to promote the common good, which is vitally important to the well-being of society as a whole.

As Christian stewards, we should be grateful for God’s gifts, cultivating them responsibly and sharing them with others, ultimately returning them to God in an even better state than they were given to us. Stewardship has the ability to shape us as disciples and help us live in a better and more responsible manner. It is challenging to be a steward of the Earth, given the dominant secular culture of our society so often driven by greed and selfishness, but those who do so will find great joy.

We look to Jesus’ example for guidance in how to be a good steward of the Earth. Jesus calls us individually to a vocation, our unique role in God’s divine plan. Part of each human’s individual vocation includes stewardship of the Earth. Jesus taught his disciples to show gratitude for the gifts we receive and to use them to show our love for God and our brothers and sisters. Caring for God’s creation builds up our world as well as the Kingdom of God.

We are called by God to give support in the way of time, money, prayers and service as part of our duty of stewardship. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides many opportunities for those who desire to be good stewards of God’s creation and in turn promote the common good of society.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community, for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”

Honoring Those Who Have Laid Down Their Lives for Others

“The love of God in us is witnessed by our willingness to lay down our lives for others as Christ did for us” (1 John 3:16-18).

Today many Americans associate Memorial Day with the unofficial beginning of the summer season. It is a time for many folks to head to the beach, enjoy the pool, or take part in a barbeque with family and friends. It is also, more importantly but sometimes forgotten, our nation’s most solemn holiday. Observed on the last Monday of May, this year on May 27, Memorial Day is a day to honor the American men and women who have given their lives in order to serve others. At 3:00 p.m. local time, a national moment of remembrance is held each Memorial Day.

Waterloo, New York was recognized in 1966 as the birthplace of Memorial Day. Waterloo held the first unofficial Memorial Day as early as 1866, during which businesses in the community closed, and residents decorated the graves of fallen Civil War soldiers with flowers and flags.

General John A. Logan, head of a Northern Civil War veterans’ organization, led the call for a national day of remembrance in 1868. First called “Decoration Day,” this day in late May honored those who served and lost their lives in the Civil War. When World War I also claimed the lives of so many brave Americans, this national day of remembrance evolved to honor Americans who died in all wars, past and present, sacrificing their lives in order to protect the common good.

There are ten foundational principles which comprise the social teaching of the Church. The sixth principle of Catholic Social Teaching is the Principle of Solidarity. This principle highlights how as members of one human family, we are called to serve our neighbor, whether they live down the street or halfway around the world. Solidarity binds all humans together as a family, making it impossible for citizens of first world nations such as the U.S. to ignore those in countries whose citizens are denied basic human rights.

This Memorial Day, we honor the fallen military men and women who so bravely served the citizens of our own country as well as the oppressed citizens of countries where the U.S. has intervened for the sake of social justice. Pope Paul VI taught that “if you want peace, work for justice.” Enacting the principle of solidarity helps us to promote the common good by responding to societal issues not just through charity, but also by working towards social justice and peace.

Jesus called us to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. The brave military men and women who have sacrificed their lives for the common good are the ultimate example of being their brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”

Find New Life This Easter

“He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again’” (Luke 24 6:7).

Easter, the most sacred of the Christian holy days, is a time for celebration and new life as we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. The celebration of Easter Sunday follows forty days of Lenten preparation of fasting, penance and sacrifice.

The word Lent is derived from the Middle English word Lenten, which means springtime, or the time of lengthening days. For Catholics, Lent is a time to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays, and to fast on certain days, including Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, which means eating only one full meal each day. There is also the tradition of giving something up for Lent, like chocolate or some other favorite treat, which Catholics are taught as children. This type of sacrifice is a form of penance. Today many Catholics add a good behavior into their lives, such serving the community, rather than give something up.

We celebrate the Paschal Triduum, including Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, in anticipation of the glorious celebration on Easter Sunday. Holy Thursday Mass is a celebration of the Last Supper, during which Jesus washed his disciples’ feet as an act of humility and service. It also emphasizes the importance of cleansing with water, a sign of Baptism. Good Friday is a day of fasting, mourning and prayer in memory of Jesus’ complete sacrifice as he was nailed to the cross. We pray the Stations of the Cross as we contemplate Jesus’ suffering. On Holy Saturday, we celebrate the Easter Vigil in the dark of evening, during which we must “stay dressed for action and keep our lamps full and burning” (Luke 12:35), in anticipation of Jesus’ glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday.

After the Triduum, we are ready to celebrate the wondrous resurrection of Jesus from the dead. This holiest day of the liturgical calendar is full of joy and gladness. Jesus is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, according to John 1:29. Through his death, we are saved from sin and redeemed in the eyes of God.

Easter symbols include daffodils, eggs, lambs, baby chicks and bunny rabbits- all signs of new life. The Easter egg has an interesting tradition. People have been decorating eggs with bright colors for Easter for many years. The Easter egg symbolizes the resurrection. Just as a baby chick pecks its way out of the egg to be born, so Jesus exited the rock tomb to emerge into new and everlasting life.

Just as Jesus was resurrected into new life, you can enter into a new life of service to your neighbors in need, following Jesus’ example of humble service. Transforming lives is possible- for both the giver and the receiver. The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life, including through participation and building up the community. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”

We Must Protect the Poor and Vulnerable

“Blessed are the poor, theirs is the kingdom of God” (Luke 6:20-23).

There are ten foundational principles which comprise the social teaching of the Church. One of the most recent of the Ten Principles of Catholic Social Teaching is the Principle of Preferential Protection for the Poor and Vulnerable, introduced by the Father Pedro Arrupe S.J., a Jesuit, in the late 20^th century. This principle highlights the importance of ensuring that the poor and vulnerable are cared for. The deprivation and powerlessness of the poor hurts all of society. In order for the common good of the community to prevail, we must put the needs of the poor first.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church summarizes the meaning of this principle: “The Church’s love for the poor… is a part of her constant tradition. This love is inspired by the Gospel of the Beatitudes, of the poverty of Jesus, and of his concern for the poor… ‘Those who are oppressed by poverty are the object of a preferential love on the part of the Church which, since her origin and in spite of the failings of many of her members, has not ceased to work for their relief, defense and liberation.’”

The Church teaches us through the story of the last judgment that we will be judged by what we have or have not done to help the needy. We touch Jesus when we touch the poor and vulnerable. Jesus taught his followers that if they showed generosity to the poor, God would reward them in heaven.

These verses in the Gospel of Matthew explain: “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ Then the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’” (Matthew 25 34:40).

It is our duty as part of the human community to give what we can to the least of our brothers and sisters, as Jesus referred to the poor and vulnerable. Join St. Vincent de Paul Society to serve your neighbor in need, either physically or emotionally. Whether it’s providing the essentials like shelter, food, clothing or transportation, or providing emotional support, act with compassion and love to give hope to the hopeless. When you help someone in need, you are helping Jesus, and God will reward you.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”

Participation in the Community is Vital

“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:4-8).

There are ten foundational principles which comprise the social teaching of the Church. One of the Ten Principles of Catholic Social Teaching is the Principle of Participation. This principle highlights the importance of everyone working to build up the community. According to Romans 12:4-8, we have the right and duty to exercise our God-given gifts and talents so that society may benefit as a whole.

As part of the human community, we must participate in order to promote the common good. The community exists only because men and women work to develop it. Social institutions, such as the St. Vincent de Paul Society, founded by concerned members of the community, are a means to helping the poor and vulnerable. Without participation by members of society, these institutions cannot provide valuable benefits to those who so critically need them.

The practice of building up the community can be a challenging task, especially given the complex social and political structures that enable participation in the community and the Church. Many people are disheartened by our society’s structures, especially with the political landscape. However, participating in building up community is crucial. It is how Catholics promote the dignity of the human person, thereby fostering the development of each individual. Pope John Paul II stated, “A community needs a soul if it is to become a true home for human beings. You, the people, must give it this soul.” Participation in the building up of community promotes the social values of truth, freedom, justice and love.

There is a caveat to the Principle of Participation. While working to build up the community, we must do so responsibly with the primary goal of benefitting the common good, not just for the sake of furthering personal, financial, or political goals.

Many people practice the Principle of Participation every day by working, whether at a paid job or through volunteer work. More than just a way to earn a living, work is a form of participation in God’s creation. The solidarity many experience with other workers of the same profession helps them to understand their one, shared vocation, and further promote the common good. Society must ensure that the dignity of work is protected, by protecting workers’ rights, ensuring the right to productive work, fair wages, the ability of workers to organize and join unions, to possess private property, and ability to take economic initiative.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life, including through participation and building up the community. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”

Celebrating the Women Who Influenced the Society of St. Vincent de Paul

“She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy” (Proverbs 31:20).

As we celebrate National Women’s History Month this March, we’ll take a look back at the contributions that women made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The theme for this year is “Visionary Women: Champions of Peace and Nonviolence.” This March we honor women who have worked to end war, violence and injustice and have promoted nonviolence to better society.

Women have always played an integral role in the charitable works of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. In fact one woman with a great influence on the society lived over two hundred years prior to Blessed Frederic Ozanam’s founding of the group. Louise de Marillac was born near Meux, France in 1591. After her husband of twelve years died in 1625, she became acquainted with St. Vincent de Paul, who became her spiritual adviser. From then on, Louise dedicated her life to working with him, directing his Ladies of Charity. The Ladies of Charity came together to care for the sick, poor and neglected. In 1633 Louise created a training center in her home for other women who were seeking to assist her in her service to the poor and needy. She took her holy vows in 1634 and attracted many other women seeking to do the same. Louise became Superior of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. She proceeded to travel all over France establishing her Sisters in hospitals, orphanages and other institutions. St. Louise was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1934 and declared Patroness of Social Workers in 1960 by Pope John XXIII.

Another woman with a substantial influence on the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was Blessed Rosalie Rendu. When he was organizing the society, Blessed Frederic Ozanam and his friends sought Blessed Rosalie’s counsel. Blessed Rosalie Rendu was born Jeanne Marie Rendu September 9, 1786 in Confort, France. The French Revolution broke out when she was just three years old. At this time, many priests had to hide out due to their unwillingness to side with the civil constitution, less they were captured or put to death. The Rendu home became a refuge for many of these priests. It also provided a religious education for Jeanne.

Following the deaths of her father and baby sister, Jeanne’s mother sent her to boarding school to get a good education. As a student, one day Jeanne visited a hospital where the Daughters of Charity cared for the ill. While spending time at the hospital, Jeanne heard her calling from God to become a Daughter of Charity.

At the age of 17, Jeanne entered the Motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity and took the name Rosalie. She took her vows to serve God and the poor, eventually opening a free clinic, pharmacy, school, orphanage, childcare center, a home for the elderly and a youth club for young workers.

Blessed Rosalie became known as the “good mother of all.” She helped Frederic Ozanam and his friends to find the poor and needy in the community who needed their assistance, which is how the St. Vincent de Paul Society began. Frederic and his friends, Blessed Rosalie, and other concerned citizens began meeting weekly to help respond to those in need.

In addition to helping the poor and sick in their homes and in the streets of France, Blessed Rosalie also showed great courage and leadership during the violent uprisings that occurred in France between 1830 and 1848. She would climb up on barricades, risking her life to provide aid to wounded soldiers on either side.

Blessed Rosalie always pushed herself to serve the poor and sick despite her always fragile health, but eventually succumbed due to her heavy workload and increasing age. She lost her sight during the last two years of her life, and died in 1856.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”

The Importance of Community

“Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. (Corinthians 12-12:31)”

There are ten foundational principles which comprise the social teaching of the Church. One of the Ten Principles of Catholic Social Teaching is the Principle of Association. This principle highlights the importance of community. God created humans to be both sacred and social.

While Jesus taught us to “love thy neighbor,” which sounds like loving others on an individual basis, we also have a duty to love our society on a broader level. The realization and protection of our God-given human dignity depends on relationships within our society as a whole.

Social organization begins with the family. Family is the most important building block of our community, and must always be protected. The family unit is of utmost importance to the positive development of young hearts and minds. Family should provide a constant, safe, stable home environment. In this way, individuals always have a comfortable base within society, nurturing them and therefore further helping them to be productive members of the human family.

The community is the means through which human beings grow and achieve fulfilment in life. We realize our God-given human dignity through relationships with each other. We have a responsibility to work with the community to achieve a common good for all, and to contribute positively to society. The Principle of Association states that the way in which we organize our society, in economics and politics, directly affects the realization and protection of human dignity.

The members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society organize to influence the members of government, informing them of the situations of those who are in need, so that they may discuss and create policies and legislation to address their needs. In this way we are able to show love, care and compassion on a societal level, and further the ability of individuals to grow and thrive in the community.

Joining an institution whose purpose is serving those less fortunate, such as the St. Vincent de Paul Society, is a way for individuals to work towards achieving the common good for all. Transforming lives is possible by acting with compassion and love towards all members of society. See the face of Christ in every member of the human family. There are so many of our brothers and sisters who are depending on society to lift them up when they need a helping hand.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Philadelphia has many ways, customized to each local community for you to transform the lives of your neighbors as well as your own life. Like that of its founder, blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “is to embrace the world in a network of charity.”