MEMORIAL OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL, PRIEST.
MEMORIAL OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL, PRIEST.
"While they were all amazed at his every deed, Jesus said to his disciples, “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying." (Luke 9: 43 - 45).
Saturday 27th September 2025 in the 25th Week of Ordinary Time is the feast of St Vincent de Paul, Priest (1581 - 1660). French.
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, a friend of the king of France.
He 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 about the strange ways of Divine Providence. He was soon to learn on his return to Paris this great mystery of our faith.
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 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.
Listen to our key Scripture for today:
“Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.”
If an important person tells me: "Pay attention to this fact." I will sit upright, lean forward and listen intently.
When God said to Joshua: "You must have these words constantly on your mind... "
Joshua recognized immediately that God was giving him a formula for success and Joshua paid great attention and succeeded greatly in his work.
The disciples of Jesus did not pay attention to what Jesus told them here and it caused a huge problem for them. It resulted in frustrations and denials.
Now Jesus is telling us to pay great attention to this truth and never to forget:
"The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.”
In other words, we must understand thoroughly the significance of the Paschal Mystery. That is, the mystery of the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Our life, peace and success depends on this truth, and understanding it and living it should be our life's mission.
God chose the Cross as the means of our salvation.
You shall know the truth and the truth you know shall set you free.
Set you free from what?
Set you free from Sin, addiction, fear, worry, doubt, sickness, ignorance and poverty?
Really? It is the promise of Jesus Christ that the supernatural truth you know can set you free.
“Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men."
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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