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Our vocation as Vincentians is a simple one; it is “to follow Christ through service to those in need and so bear witness to His compassionate and liberating love.” [Rule, Part I, 1.2] Our vocation leads us to “journey together towards holiness” which is “perfect union with Christ and the perfection of love.” We seek to do these things by “visiting and dedicating [ourselves] to the poor,” “attending the meeting of the Conference,” and “a life of prayer and reflection.” All this we do “for love alone.” [Rule, Part I, 2.2]
So, we see that simple does not necessarily mean easy! We are called to do many things, but all are directed towards a single end: our own sanctification. Frédéric once acknowledged that others might see this as a “motive of personal interest,” or “egoism at the bottom of our work” that might make them think less of the Society. [82, to Curnier, 1834]
It is, of course, not “egoism” to seek our own sanctification and union with Christ, nor did Frédéric believe that it was, but he recognized that for those not called to the vocation, our motive might be difficult to understand. This may be why he often cautioned against seeking worldly approval or plaudits for our works, as those might distract us, misdirecting us from our purpose. In a similar way, St. Vincent had warned that the “vice … we have to combat is the desire to distinguish ourselves in the eyes of others.” [CCD XII:257]
Instead, Vincent taught, “His Divine Goodness asks that we never do good in any place to make ourselves look important.” [CCD II:315] In a way, that is the central irony of this vocation: we seek our own holiness, but it only works when we place ourselves last; when we act with complete selflessness and humility. As St. Louise explained “It is not enough to visit the poor and to provide for their needs; one's heart must be totally purged of all self-interest.” [SWLM, L.217]
Our Vincentian spirituality is very physical – as Vincent put it, we “witness to God by our works that we love Him. All our work consists in action." [CCD XI:33] We truly can become physically weary in pursuing the good. What sustains us, what fends off the exhaustion or “compassion fatigue” that such work can cause, is expressed in our motto, serviens in spe – serving in hope. Hope is not a feeling, not simple optimism; hope is a virtue, the “virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit.” [CCC, 1817] Through our love and example, we seek also to share this same hope with the neighbor, to help them see beyond today’s suffering to the great promise of Christ.
After all, the desire for God is written on the human heart, both ours and the neighbor’s. Our vocation is simple, as expressed by St. Louise: “As the deer seeks water, so my soul seeks God.” [SWLM, A.42]
Contemplate
How can I better shut out worldly rewards, and seek only God?
Recommended Reading
Letters of Frédéric Ozanam, Vol. I – start anywhere, find a letter that speaks to you
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