On this day of remembering Saint Vincent de Paul, patron of charitable societies, it’s amazing to me how timely is this influential Saint of the poor. Think of the Haitian immigrants at the border in Del Rio, Texas, living under a bridge. No longer there, thousands have been deported back to Mexico or to Haiti itself. There is no facile or perfect solution to the mass migration of so many from Haiti, Central, and South America, and from other nations around the world.
The first reading today speaks of God’s jealousy for Zion, for Israel. A poor people conquered by enemies and scattered among the neighbors of East and west as slaves and troubled persons with no permanent home. The Lord paints a picture of a peaceful and prosperous Jerusalem to come; old men and women, will sit in the streets of Jerusalem each with staff in hand. The city shall be filled with boys and girls playing in the streets.
Saint Vincent says, “If you consider the poor in the light of faith, then you will observe that they are taking the place of the Son of God who chose to be poor.” Jesus says, “The Father sent me to preach the good news to the poor.” As followers of Christ, the poor man, who died for us, we too must take care of the poor, console them, help them, support their cause.
In every Catholic parish worth its salt there is a Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. Often it is elderly, retired and committed people who do the bulk of the service to the poor in their neighborhoods without complaining and with extraordinary generosity.
It is our duty to prefer the service of the poor to everything else and to offer such service as quickly as possible. If a needy person requires help during prayer time, do whatever has to be done with peace of mind. Offer the deed to God as your prayer. Do not become upset or feel guilty because you interrupted your prayer to serve the poor. God is not neglected it you leave him for such service. One of God’s works is merely interrupted so that another can be carried out.
So, when you leave prayer to serve some poor person, remember that this very service is performed for God. Charity is certainly greater than any rule. Since she is a noble mistress, we must do whatever she commands. With renewed devotion, then, we must serve the poor, especially outcasts and beggars. They have been given to us as our masters and patrons.”
Every family of baptized Christians has a mission to create the best home possible filled with prayer and filled with generosity of heart expressed in service to the poor and the needy. God bless every member of the Society of Vincent de Paul and every family that welcomes and serves the poor and the needy. They are serving our Good Lord Himself. What could be more pressing? Amen.
Father Wilfred J. Raymond, C.S.C. (Father Willy), a native of Old Town, Maine, is the eighth of 12 children. He joined the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1964 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1971. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Stonehill College in 1967 and a master’s in Theology from the University of Notre Dame in 1971. He served in ministry at Stonehill College (1979-1992), Holy Cross leadership (1994-2000), National Director of Family Theater Productions, Hollywood (2000-2014), and President of Holy Cross Family Ministries (2014-2022). In addition to English, he is conversant in French and Spanish. He remains a diehard fan of the Boston Red Sox, even though he has served as Chaplain for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
