Being Vincentian is not limited to male, vowed celibates! (I must admit that I once thought that.) One of the exciting developments in the world-wide Vincentian Family is the realization that over 2 million people can claim #IamVincent. The 1998 General Assembly of the Congregation of the Mission, in something of a Copernican shift, wrote “The vitality of the Vincentian charism does not belong exclusively to the Congregation of the Mission.”
In this spirit, famvin.org offers weekly posts sharing how so many understand and live “I am Vincent”. Aidan Rooney writes in a recent post about a new series that looks at a life guided by the five Vincentian virtues.
From the post…
To say #IamVincent means to live a life of virtue. Actually, it means to live a life of five essential virtues.
Fr. Santiago Azcarate, CM, Religious Advisor to the lay organization known as the Saint Vincent de Paul Society in Spain, has written,
Virtue can be seen as the crystallization of good intentions which are often passing and changing. Virtue, then, is more permanent and stable. It defines our manner of being present in the midst of the world and also defines our relationships with others.
He’s right on the mark. “Values” — the good intentions we hold in our hearts — are nothing if they are not made concrete in the life of virtue. These five are held up for the entire Vincentian Family:
- Simplicity
- Humility
- Mortification
- Meekness
- Zeal for Souls
Says Father Azcarate:
Virtue, then, defines our Christian being and our lifestyle. Therefore, if, as Montaigne stated, “lifestyle defines the person,” then virtue not only characterizes our spirituality but also our whole personality. Our lifestyle is that which distinguishes us: not simply the manner in which we dress or work or live, but also the spirit that strengthens and animates us. Spirit is impossible to measure or to see, but nonetheless, characterizes us. Therefore, the cultivation of one or another virtue is not an indifferent matter.
Over the next five weeks, we’ll examine each of them with Father Azcarate’s help.
Thank you!
The seeds of marriage begins with attraction and the attraction grows into love graced by the One who visited the wedding feast at cana. Speaking from my own experience in marriage,the sharing through sickness and health has helped me to appreciate the Vincentian preparation for a life of celibacy during my time at Saint Joe’s and novitiate. Although I am far short of living a life of saintly ideals,the Congregation of the Mission stands as the backbone of whatever I do that’s good.
Most Gratefully,
Ed Ambrose
St. Joe’s 1957