Holidays with the Family
I suspect there are few whose family plans were not in one way another changed for Thanksgiving, Christmas or both. Travel restrictions are not something we want to hear about. Many are coping using the now ubiquitous Zoom platform. This is better than nothing but leaves much to be desired. We no longer take for granted to being together for a festive meal.
I know much of my focus has been on the growing number of family celebrations I have not been able to attend due to the limitations of my mobility. It was not too long ago that I would think nothing of traveling for hours to be with at least some part of my ever-expanding family of great grand nephews and nieces.
Becoming aware of an even wider circle of family
In recent years, I realize my concept of family has continually expanded and challenges me.
I have always missed the experience of knowing my grandfather and grandmother on either side of the family in Germany. With two exceptions all my aunts, uncles and cousins were names I only heard of in conversations. In 1949 my father took my mother, sister, and me to Germany. I got to meet many of them during a wonderful month visiting them. Names have faces and I have memories. I experienced that I was part of a family much wider than I realized.
Decades later my family horizons expanded further when a cousin in Germany shared his research into my mother’s family history back to the late 18th century. Then, on the occasion of my 50th anniversary of priesthood came the gift, via a cousin in Germany, of my father’s ancestors back to 1493! Needless to say, this 16-foot-wide scroll gave me a new historical sense of family identity. No memories but at least names
Each of these discoveries challenged me to expand my awareness of family.
Discovering the horizons my Vincentian Family
There is another family I am still discovering. My Vincentian Family!
When I was in high school, I only knew the few Vincentians who taught there. What I knew of St. Vincent was that he was important to these men I deeply respected. In the seminary of those days I learned a bit more of St. Vincent and his “Double Family” … the Congregation of the Mission and the Daughters of Charity. In the last quarter of a century, I have been amazed that his family much broader than I had dreamed.
This wider family is itself coming to consciousness of itself.
I was moved to tears watching 11,000 plus Vincentian relatives gather with Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square to celebrate our family heritage in the presence of the relic of Vincent’s heart.
Each of the more than 4 million people walking in the footsteps of St. Vincent and Louise face a common challenge. Every member of this family is committed to searching out and serving the most abandoned of our brothers and sisters.
If I truly believe that “whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters you do to me” then I can understand Jesus’ washing the feet of disciples at the last supper. It is the logical expression and understanding that no matter what we are all family, God’s family, each and every one of us. And we are called to celebrate who we are.
Accepting the challenges of discovering an expanding family
- Where am I in my discovery and acceptance of all my brothers and sisters?
- Would my marginalized sisters and brothers be able to see in me a loving brother or sister?
Click below for an audio version of this Vincentian Mindwalk
I believe now more than ever we need to connect with various branches of the Vincentian family. We share such a wealth of knowledge, experience and love for our most vulnerable sisters and brothers, imagine what we can accomplish in a more collaborative effort.
Father John, nice reflection. Tying in our expanding (and more lately, contracting) families with what is going on with the Vincentian Family was an interesting comparison.
Both marriage and divorce brought about significant changes to my family and that tension was sometimes a blessing and other times less so (or, at least, seemed less than a blessing). But, all of that brought us to where we are today, both in biological terms and spiritual ones.
As you recall, I was schooled by Vincentian Sister of Charity in the Pittsburgh area and I got a regular helping of Vincent, Louise, and Catherine. I don’t recall learning anything about Frederic and Rosalie then, nor about the existence of VIncentian priests, nor Daughters of Charity, but the broad-reaching identity of the Vincentian Family was Less obvious back then.
Now, with several factors, most notably aging and dying, my individual family is getting smaller and smaller. Those opportunities to get together, even if via online methods, take on a different priority than they once did. I regret that some members of my family didn’t live long enough to discover the blessing that has become.
Sadly, there is certainly a graying in the Vincentian community, at least, in this segment of the world family. I guess it isn’t too far-fetched to realize one day we may see foreign missionaries coming to the US to re-convert our youth to recognize that they can be part of a family of faith that is very much involved with the kinds of activities that help to build their faith on the framework of the works we have been able to do.
Advent – a new beginning – looking forward to discovering how we can find a common language to speak that draws us together as that family you speak of.
Dear John,
its a honor to us that you mention our visit to your 50th anniversary and my research on our common ancestors.
We wish you all the best.