Today we celebrate the feast of St. Vincent Depaul the founder of the Congregation of the Mission (the Vincentian Fathers), and The Daughters of Charity. He was born in Gascony in 1581. After completing his studies he was ordained a priest and went to Paris where he served in a parish. Later came the founding of the two orders: the first to supervise and help in the formation of priests; the second to aid Louise de Marillac and her band of Ladies of Charity in helping the poor and uneducated in Paris. Louise also became a saint.
The first reading today tells us that, in any generation of the church, we, as members of Christ's Body, the Church, need to keep our perspective. We need to follow the pattern of growth and reflection: joy in youth, introspection of old age. In all periods of our life we need to remember that we are heading towards the judgment seat of God. God wants so much to evaluate us on GOOD DEEDS DONE FOR LOVE OF HIM – whatever else we have to show him is of our own making and choosing.
Let us, with the saints, recommit ourselves today to offering God and the people he places in our midst – our brothers and sisters – the very best of our care, our respect and our loving service: and one day be invited to the eternal banquet – where there will be no more VANITY – and all will be GLORIOUS REALITY!
In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge!
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