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| The poor are our masters |
1.1 Fundamental Principles
I think that one of the most spiritually under-rated of the books that belong to our Vincentian organisation is the one called, "THE RULE AND STATUTES of the SOCIETY OF SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL CANADA". This is understandable. With a title like that, it is hardly the book anyone will reach for when asking themselves, "What have I to read in my bookshelf?"
From our Vincentian training we know, of course, that the appendices have sections on the early history of the Society along with short biographies of our patron, Saint Vincent de Paul, as well as our founders, Blessed Frederic Ozanam and his companions, and some others such as Blessed Rosalie Rendu. But there are other hidden gems as well. I would like to commend to your summer spiritual reading and prayerful reflection the first three articles in Section 1: Fundamental Principles, The Poor, and Vincentian Spirituality.
For now, I will summarize, paraphrase, and comment on, just one small selection from Article 1.1 Fundamental Principles.
The Fundamental Principles provide a twofold primary purpose and goal:
Firstly, to serve and minister to all the poor making no distinctions;
Secondly, to promote the dignity of the poor whom we serve in accordance with Christian values.
Put differently, the poor are not the recipients of our largesse and kindness. As Christians and Vincentians we are obligated to provide the service and ministry to which the poor are entitled.
If we do not understand and believe this, then we will not be able to promote the dignity of the poor whom we serve. This fundamental principle is underpinned by the famous statement of St. Vincent de Paul, "The poor are our masters, and it is no exaggeration to call them this, because Our Lord is in the poor."
I think that one of the most spiritually under-rated of the books that belong to our Vincentian organisation is the one called, "THE RULE AND STATUTES of the SOCIETY OF SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL CANADA". This is understandable. With a title like that, it is hardly the book anyone will reach for when asking themselves, "What have I to read in my bookshelf?"
From our Vincentian training we know, of course, that the appendices have sections on the early history of the Society along with short biographies of our patron, Saint Vincent de Paul, as well as our founders, Blessed Frederic Ozanam and his companions, and some others such as Blessed Rosalie Rendu. But there are other hidden gems as well. I would like to commend to your summer spiritual reading and prayerful reflection the first three articles in Section 1: Fundamental Principles, The Poor, and Vincentian Spirituality.
For now, I will summarize, paraphrase, and comment on, just one small selection from Article 1.1 Fundamental Principles.
The Fundamental Principles provide a twofold primary purpose and goal:
Firstly, to serve and minister to all the poor making no distinctions;
Secondly, to promote the dignity of the poor whom we serve in accordance with Christian values.
Put differently, the poor are not the recipients of our largesse and kindness. As Christians and Vincentians we are obligated to provide the service and ministry to which the poor are entitled.
If we do not understand and believe this, then we will not be able to promote the dignity of the poor whom we serve. This fundamental principle is underpinned by the famous statement of St. Vincent de Paul, "The poor are our masters, and it is no exaggeration to call them this, because Our Lord is in the poor."