The Question – Why Am I a Vincentian Priest?
I see… and read… many posts asking “Why I Am (Not) a Catholic”. I also hear of former Vocation Directors saying that this time must be a tough time for Vocation Directors. From those discerning, “How can I think about becoming Catholic after the latest sex abuse reports?” And of course, there is Cardinal Dolan quoting a phone call from his mother in her nursing home. “I’m ashamed to go to the dining room,” he said she told him. “I’m so embarrassed to be a Catholic. I don’t know what to say to anybody.”
It is not surprising that some priests are asking “Why am I a priest”? It is a serious question that I also ask “Why Am I a Vincentian Priest?
For me, the answer lies in a culture I love. No, definitely not the popularized clerical culture rightly being called into question. I speak of a very different, simple, lived culture I have experienced as a Vincentian priest trying to follow Christ, the Evangelizer of the Poor.
Vincentian Culture Over the Years
I first experienced that Vincentian culture in my high school days over six decades ago. And it a culture that I still experience today now that I am in my 80’s…
Back then I was impressed by the joy I saw in the faces and lives of my teachers at St. John’s Prep. We students were mostly the first in our families to have the benefit of quality education. I experienced our teachers’ patient commitment to help us not only to learn what we needed to know about our world. They also shared with us their own deep faith and awakened us to the living faith of their bothers who had suffered at the hands of the Communists in China or other missions. They lived an ideal that attracted me.
In the years since then, I have seen this culture up close and personal, warts, ulcers, and all.
I remember well the confusion of the turbulent 60’s and 70’s. It seemed almost weekly there would be announcements of men leaving the community… often the brightest and most dedicated among my closest friends. I started asking “Why am I staying?” So for me, the question is not a new question.
We are by no means perfect. Yes, I cringe at some of the things I have seen and experienced in community. I cringe at some of the things I myself have said and done over those sixty years. In retrospect, I would like to have many “do-overs”. I also know, that, despite our very rigorous formation there have been some grievous failures.
Among us, there may be polar opposite political and theological views but there are values we all agree on. These 5 values infuse Vincentian concern and care for the marginalized and one another. Then, as now, I come back to the vision I experience embodied in the earthen vessels with my brothers. Vincent’s words and actions challenging us. “Let us love God but let it be with the strength of our arms and sweat of our brows.” “Sometimes one must leave God for God.” “Let love light up my mortal frame til others catch the living flame” (Cardinal Newman)”
A former Provincial captured our overall Vincentian culture well. At funerals, he said he learned so much he did not know about confreres when people shared the impact on their lives of a particular Vincentian (with all the quirks and flaws we knew all too well about each other).
Hallmarks of this culture
What are the hallmarks of this culture? In the language of the times I grew up in, we spoke of simplicity, meekness, mortification, humility, and zeal. In the language of today, we might say honest, approachable, self-disciplined, realistic and hardworking. Whatever the language, the spirit of St. Vincent transformed our lives … and the lives of others who minister with us. (See the video series of ordinary men and women telling the story of how their lives were transformed by these virtues.)
Whatever the language, there is the vision and culture that calls me and supports me in my life as a Vincentian priest. These five values bind us together as followers of Christ the Evangelizer of the Poor and a band of brothers. These five values infuse our efforts of Vincentian concern and care for the marginalized and one another.
And that is why I am a Vincentian priest!
And proud to have known you Father John, all these years, for you have been a priest for us, the People of God. While these days are challenging and tough on us all, those so steeped in our faith and tradition, it hurts to read and hear it all…but never a word about the why of my Catholicism, for it is here to stay!
Thank you very much, John.
Sex abuse reports do shock and contribute to the weakening of faith. But surely, as you indicate, reports of individuals embodying the Vincentian culture do impress and draw people, too, and contribute to the building up of faith. May many more embody the Vincentian culture, who pray day in and day out the Vincentian prayer (see SV.EN IX:284 at https://via.library.depaul.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1034&context=vincentian_ebooks):
We are weak, O God, and capable of giving in at the first assault. You have called us by pure mercy; may your infinite goodness be pleased to preserve us. For our part, with the help of your holy grace, we will do all in our power to give you all the services and all the faithfulness you expect of us. Grant us, then, O God, grant us the grace to persevere until death. We ask you this through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, confident that you will grant it to us.
John,
You are a great example of living the values of the gospel and Vincent to me. You have been an inspiration to me and always helpful and accepting. Thank you John
Father John,
I didn’t fit into your community. However,you and your Confreres continue to touch my life,my journey and my family!
Gratefully,
Ed Ambrose,AA,St. Joe’s,1957
Whatever the language, there is the vision and culture that calls me and supports me in my life as a Vincentian priest. These five values bind us together as followers of Christ the Evangelizer of the Poor and a band of brothers
…..This is the language of a man with the heart and spirit of St. Vincent de paul. Fr John, your article is an encouragement to those of us that are beginning the journey with Christ through the spirit of St. Vincent de paul.
Thank you
May God grant you more of His graces in His vineyard. Amen.
Thank you so much for that essay Fr. Freund. My uncle, Fr. John King, was also a Vincentian priest and taught me about the “culture” of which you speak. By the example of his own life and the lives of Vincentians I met through him (and, by the way, the dear Daughters of Charity, too) I came to love the confraternity of the Vincentians and share in their values. You expressed what I needed to read at this difficult time.
Great article John!
John,
I always enjoyed being with you at Ladies of Charity
assemblies, because I felt I was always in the presence
of a committed Vincentian Priest. I always felt that
what you had to say was from conviction and your
credibility was never in question..God Bless you for
your years of service and for all you do for others.
I too have been influenced by the Vincentian spirit that I witnessed at the prep and has shaped my life ever since. My days with the Vincentians have been and are a continual joy to remember and a blessing every day of my vocation as a husband and father. Thank you, Fr. Freund, for having the courage to share your thoughts and feelings, that’s what makes St. Vincent a living influence today and everyday.
Dear Lou,
Thank you for your comment. It perfectly illustrates the point I am making in another post about how that culture/charism is alive and well in so many regardless of whether they are priests or in vows. Stay tuned!
See https://www.cmeast.org/2018/09/12/vincents-charism-is-alive-and-well-in-you/