ST VINCENT DE PAUL EXPERIENCED PROFOUNDLY THE POWER OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE.
THE MEMORIAL OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL, PRIEST AND FOUNDER.
"Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.” He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.
"He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” (Luke 9: 18 - 22).
Friday 27th September 2024 in the 25th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Vincent de Paul. Priest and Founder of a Religious Congregation.
St Vincent de Paul was a French priest, born in 1581 and died in 1660.
For many people around the world, St Vincent de Paul needs no introduction. His name and prestige blesses the world-wide charitable organization that ministers spiritually and materially to the needs of the poor, the homeless and the very needy.
St Vincent de Paul is known in history for his love of the Poor and for deep humility. He also had great interest in the formation of priests.
St Vincent de Paul founded the Daughters of Charity with St Louise de Marillac. After this, he founded the Congregation of the Mission.
St Vincent de Paul discerned after his ordination to the priesthood that the greatest need of the Church in France was the training and formation of the clergy. He threw himself into preparation for this ministry.
Imagine his dismay when his Bishop sent him hundreds of miles from Paris to the provinces to the home of a prince, the Gondi family, a friend of the king of France. Vincent de Paul remained in the castle for several years teaching the two young sons of the prince.
St Vincent de Paul went to this mission in obedience. For the years he spent in the castle trying to teach the boys who did not want to learn anything, he wondered the strange ways of Divine Providence. He was soon to learn on his return to Paris.
St Vincent de Paul soon learned that in the eyes of God, true greatness is: humility, a loving concern for the little ones, the poor and the needy and homeless. This became the new ministry of St Vincent de Paul in Paris. Because of the connection with the Prince and his family, St Vincent de Paul got to know who is who in the court of the king of France.
These nobles later provided the funds for the ministry of St Vincent de Paul to the poor and downtrodden of Paris. St Vincent de Paul did not forget the second love of his life: the formation of the clergy.
Throughout his life, Vincent marveled and then trusted God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence. St Vincent de Paul is the patron saint of the St Vincent de Paul Society founded in 1833 by Frederic Ozanam.
"Then Jesus said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.”
How do you know that you really know who Jesus is?
By demonstrating trust and obedience to Jesus again and again.
Where do you need to trust and obey Jesus?
For many people today in money and health issues.
Jesus said to St Paul: "My grace is sufficient for you. For power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Jesus was saying to the Apostle Paul: My Provision and Protection which can never fail will follow you everywhere.
Confident trust in Divine Providence is the great lesson that St Vincent de Paul learned when his Bishop sent him to teach the Gondi boys.
To help us learn and trust in Divine Providence, meditate on the first Reading of today: (Ecclesiastes 3: 1 - 11).
In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us mercies from her Son Jesus.
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:
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