Vincentian imagination

St. Vincent saw a world that most of his contemporaries never saw. Faced with misery they would say “That’s just the way it is”. But he sensed that there was something wrong with what he saw. Especially when viewed against the vision and mission of Jesus bringing Good News to the Poor.

He asked himself if there was a better way of bringing good news to those who were suffering. He dared to imagine. He imagined a different world, a world where people would look out for one another. In effect they would wash one another’s feet as Jesus said would be the sign of being true disciples.

I doubt Vincent had any other plan than simply following the lead of Providence. But I also believe that it was his attentiveness to province that allowed him to accurately read the signs of his times and to “think outside the box” of 17^th century views of ministry.

This providence led him to inspire movements that shaped the “influencers” of his world and tap into previously unrecognized resources – laity and especially women.

Tuesday conferences – imagining influencing the “influencers”

Few clergy in his day seemed to have any idea of the kingdom proclaimed by Jesus. Preaching focused on personal piety rather than building a caring community. Vincent was painfully aware of the lack of spiritual leadership by the clergy. He imagined a clergy on fire with the mission to bring good news to those in spiritual and physical poverty. But he went further than just imagining. He asked what must be done.

Enter the Tuesday Conferences which influenced the “influencers” .

Membership in the “Conferences” involved much more than just listening to Vincent give a talk. Priests who joined committed themselves to a more Gospel way of living out their specific vocation as front-line servants (influencers?) It was more like an informal spiritual boot camp for priests who wanted to be more effective ministers (missionaries) of the gospel. It was the beginning of a new way of forming priests.

Developing unrecognized resources

Vincent imagined ministry to include laypeople, especially women. In Vincent’s time, this was as radical as many things we consider radical today. Surprising as it may seem, before his time there had been no way for women to engage in any kind of ministry or service other than prayer behind the walls and doors of convents.

He entrusted St. Louise with the inspiration and formation of these women. In effect, Louise developed a feminine and a lay form of the Tuesday Conference program.

His major innovation was the “confraternities of charity”. These Confraternities were basically parish organizations dedicated to bringing good news to the poor in practical ways.  In many ways, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and the Ladies of Charity embody these traditions today.

But today there is a new and rapidly growing manifestation of Vincentian imagination. Somewhat spontaneously, laypeople, professionals in their fields, learning of the story of Vincent, are evangelizing other professionals. They are banding together in modern-day “confraternities” or Vincentian professional associations whether teachers. translators, counselors, media specialists, writers, musicians, etc.

Currently there are more that 20 such groups. The latest to form is a multinational group of lawyers who want to use their skills in serving the poor and those who serve the poor. More about this significant development in a future Vincentian Mindwalk.

What must be done today? Use our imagination!

• Identify and form the influencers in our generation both male and female.
• Inspire generous and gifted laity.
• Help them recognize how they share in the mission of Christ the Evangelizer of the Poor.

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