Memorial of Saint
Vincent de Paul, priest
(Ecclesiastes 1:2-11; Luke 9:7-9)
It is said that St. Vincent de Paul was largely
responsible for France’s overcoming of Jansenism. This seventeenth century heresy was
destroying souls in the name of grace.
It taught the need of an obsession over not committing sin, especially
of the sexual sort, so that one might be assured of the grace for heaven. Taking its name from a Dutch bishop,
proponents of Jansenism recommended constant confession as a way to avoid
eternal fire. St. Vincent, on the other
hand, promoted work of charity as a demonstration of God’s favor.
Born a peasant, Vincent was ordained a priest at the age
of twenty. Very talented, he might have had
a comfortable life with the revenue received from a monastery to which he was
appointed chaplain. But the acquaintance
of a cardinal in Paris steered his life in another direction. Rather than enjoying a life of leisure,
Vincent began visiting prisons and galley ships to comfort prisoners. In time he founded the Congregation of the
Mission, priests first known as Lazarists and then as Vincentians, to work
among poor country folk. He is also co-founder
with St. Louise de Marillac of the Daughters of Charity, who have become
renowned for their work with the poor.
Today’s gospel comments that King Herod greatly wanted to
see Jesus. So would many people
throughout the centuries. We can turn to
saints like Vincent de Paul to catch a glimpse of him.
