New spirituality proposed to groups inspired by Saint Vincent de Paul
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by Auréa Cormier, n.d.s.c. ([email protected]) Excerpts taken from a presentation
by Guillermo Campuzano, C.M., DePaul University Indianapolis, IN: October 26, 2013
Outline of the presentation1. Vincent de Paul‘s love for the poor has been
transmitted to millions of Vincentian Family members
2. Responding beyond the basic needs of the poor through commitment to systemic change
3. Vincentian charism: Spirituality of Systemic Change to create a just and equitable world
4. Becoming a prophetic voice and letting us be evangelized by the poor
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Saint Vincent de Paul : a man transformed by the poor
Born in 1581 in France, Vincent was ordained priest at 19 and he received a bachelor’s degree in theology when he was 23 years old
Following an obscure period of his life, he became the chaplain of upper class families who supported him, throughout his entire life, in his works with the poor
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For Vincent, the poor become our Lords and Masters and we their servants
“From the moment the love of Christ shed away the scales from the eyes of Vincent and touched his heart, then his concerns totally focussed on the poor. They became for him a revelation of God through the continuity of His Incarnated Word and love for us, his path to sainthood, with his desire to share their lot” 1
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1 Translated from Giuseppe Toscani. La mystique des pauvres, p. 38.
Impact of Vincent on his contemporaries1617: Formation of teams of women from the
upper class, later known as “Ladies of Charity” who reached out to the needy
1625 : Foundation of the Congregation of the Mission (C.M.), an association of Priests and Brothers whose purpose was to follow Christ who evangelized the poor
1633 : Co-founder, with Louise de Marillac, of the Daughters of Charity
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Influence of Vincent de Paul after his deathThe rule of St. Vincent de Paul, written for
the Daughters of Charity, was taken and adapted by Elizabeth Seton for the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity she founded in 1809
The Sisters of Charity have mainly been educators but many also dedicated their lives in the service of the poor and the sick
Congregations belonging to the Federation of the Sisters of Charity share the spirituality of Vincent de Paul and Elizabeth Seaton; the congregation of Notre-Dame-du- Sacré-Cœur is one of them
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Spirituality of Saint Vincent de Paul embraced by Frederic Ozanam
Young Frederic felt compelled to serve the poor In 1839, at age 20, Frederic and six of his student
friends founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul “which should neither be a political party, nor a school, nor a brotherhood… but profoundly Catholic, at the same time as secular”; their motto: Let us go to the poor
Along with Sister Rosalie Rendu, Daughter of Charity, Frederic and his group went to the poorest of Paris, serving them with respect, just like Vincent
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Frederic was a scholar (Doctor in Law) and professor at the Sorbonne. He was a married man and a father.
Vincentian Family: over 10 million membersPresent in135 countries, the Vincentian Family regroups: 1. St. Vincent de Paul Society: over 175,000 members in 142 countries2. The International Assoc. of Charities: 260,000 members in 40 countries
3. Vincentian Marian Youth groups: 240,000 members in 45 countries
4. The Daughters of Charity: 24,000 members in 87 countries5. The Congregation of the Mission: 4,000 members in 80 countries
6. The Sisters of Charity Federation: approximately 7,000 members
7. The Religious of St. Vincent de Paul: some 250 priests and brothers
8. The Assoc. of the Miraculous Medal boasts 5-10 million members
9. MISEVI: 30 members in 4 countries Source : www.svdpmemphis.org/whoweare/84-vincentian-family
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Common elements of the Vincentian Family 1. OPTION FOR THE POOR To be WITH the poor, to work WITH
them and to let them speak for themselves – they have their own voice; we must let them show us the way
2. OPTION YOUNG PEOPLEWe must integrate young people in the activities of the Vincentian Family
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Commitment of the Vincentian Family to Systemic Change
In 2006, Fr. Greg Gay, Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission, named a Commission for Promoting Systemic Change.
Mandate: “To help bring about systemic change through the apostolates of the members of the Vincentian Family, especially those ministering to the oppressed poor.”
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Broad definition of Systemic ChangeThere are many definitions of systemic change.
Perhaps the most broadly valid definition is “change that pervades all parts of a system, taking into account the interrelationships and interdependencies among those parts.”
This definition is useful to distinguish systemic change from piecemeal change.
http://systemicchange.wordpress.com/systemicchange/
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Working definition of Systemic Change for the Vincentian Family of North America
Systemic Change, in works among those living in poverty, aims beyond providing food, clothing and shelter to alleviate immediate needs; it enables people themselves to engage in the identification of the root causes of their poverty and to create strategies to change those structures which keep them in poverty; this requires changing attitudes that have caused the problem
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Effects :bad weedsCauses :Hidden roots
Systemic Change within the Vincentian FamilySaint Vincent never limited himself to giving food, lodging
and medication to the poorHe always sought ways to move them out of all forms of
poverty, in a sustainable way
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versus
Together, for a Sustainable changeCharity
NousUs The poor
Working toward changing a system which impoverishes will have an impact
We need to understand that in government circles, certain systemic changes may irritate politicians; this will draw negative criticism toward those who try to break the poverty cycle
A systemic change approach transforms the way we see, understand and do things in life
We need to rethink our spirituality and our approach toward the poor: we need to do it WITH them
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Working to ensure a better world Systemic change is a specific way in which the
Vincentian Family wants to transform the world so that ALL can feel at home in this human dwelling
Through systemic change, we can contribute locally and globally to articulate a minimum consensus to save and regenerate our common home, today victimized due to ecological devastation, international systemic injustices and violence
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Before committing to systemic change,
several questions must be answeredAre we willing to personally commit ourselves, with all our energy, to work toward achieving a systemic change? WHEN will we commit ourselves to alleviate the
sufferings and revive the lives of marginalized people?
WHERE will we go when life calls us to “Go to the poor”
HOW will we respond with enthusiasm, in spite of our reluctances? Who will do the work once we get there?
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Challenges to bring about systemic change Increase the awareness of the public on
the failings of political systems because the problem of poverty is often ignored
Overcoming the tendency to do nothing, to turn the switch “OFF”
Arouse passionate interest of individuals and institutions to move people out of poverty
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VincentianFamily
Systemic
change
Interactions of the Where, When and How of the Vincentian Family
Today
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•Vincentian Family and Systemic change are inseparable • The Vincentian charism
is a gift of the Spirit • The beginning of the
spirituality of systemic change can be in action but it always implies a deep conversion
Charism
Spirituality
Charism of Vincent de Paul passed on to Louise de Marillac and Elizabeth Seton : source of
inspiration
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VincentianCharism
An experience of the Spirit
A new spirituality to face the challenges of the 21st century
Vincentian School of Spirituality presupposes…1. A common experience of the Spirit2. A methodology: a proper way to read and interpret
reality, key to our Vincentian Spirituality3. Elements of diverse/common identity4. A doctrine5. A life style6. A specific way to develop our mission: using all
our economic, structural and human resources to GO to the POOR of TODAY
Vincent de Paul wrote in a letter to Father Codoing in Rome“This is my faith, this is my experience”
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Spirituality of Systemic Change Spirituality is our door to enter into the heart of reality Energy to pursue the mission of Vincent de Paul,
Louise de Marillac and Elizabeth Seton is given to the Vincentian Family as the starting point and source of life
The spirituality of Systemic Change implies a deep CONVERSION
The Vincentian charism possesses the necessary elements for us to become whole/holy
We need to overcome our doubts and fears, a process which takes time and progresses slowly
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Spirituality of Systemic Change (continued) We need to assume prophetic courage, as people of faith,
following that primal urge to give our hearts away, to trust, to invest, to embrace and to love
We need to act, think, and pray together in a new way, making the link between Vincentian Family and Systemic Change
Unless we change our mentality (metanoïa in Greek), we perpetuate our old practices and our oppressive ways
If we do not see with new lenses, we won’t be able to understand where we are called to go…
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Christian mystery in our spirituality
of Systemic Change We are in search of a global home, where POOR people also have a space, a place that is our habitat and theirs, where we feel at home and where basic needs are met
Planet Earth, our common dwelling, is being destroyed; the spirituality of Systemic Change will help us overcome the ecological crises before it is too late
Gustavo Guttiérrez wrote “It is a reordering of the great axes of Christianity in order for us to understand and act accordingly in the present time”
We must not rush into concrete actions but we must integrate the spiritual dimension to our actions
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To regenerate the Earth and Humanity, we must… 1. Regenerate the cultural and social fabric and accept
pluralism2. Regenerate the religious fabric through interreligious
dialogue and collaboration3. Regenerate the ecological fabric – theological and
anthropological ecology4. It may possibly take 50 years before the results
become visible5. We need to overcome a romantic understanding of
systemic change and avoid calling everything we do as systemic change
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Becoming a prophetic voice God speaks to the heart of prophets, giving them
the ability to penetrate reality The world will disappoint us, but it is worth investing in Pope Francis insist on the contact with the poor,
not so much to evangelize them but to become evangelized by them, much like Vincent did
His own life style has much in common with the Vincentian charism and it is a challenge to our own
His open attitude offers hope for today’s Church His option for JUSTICE includes the poor and young
people
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Conclusion The love of Vincent de Paul for the poor has been
transmitted to the millions of members of the Vincentian Family
In this 21st century, the Vincentian Family wants to go beyond covering the basic needs of poor people and it has chosen to tackle the systems which impoverish them
Today’s Vincentian charism is best expressed in the spirituality of Systemic Change, where we are in search of a global home where the POOR also have a place and enjoy a minimum of justice and equity
As does Pope Francis, we must become prophetic voices and allow ourselves to be evangelized by the poor
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Reflection period1. Identify concrete seeds of hope in your life, community,
congregation, in relation to this binomial Vincentian Family and Systemic Change
2. How can the Vincentian Family effectively contribute to save and regenerate our existential dwelling, humanity/earth?
3. Discuss some of the essential elements of the Vincentian School of Spirituality from a Systemic Change perspective
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