The Evangelization of the Poor and the Congregation of the Mission

By: Santiago Barquín, CM

[This article was first published in Anales, Volume 123, #6 (November-December 2015) p. 550-559 and has been translated and published with the permission of the author].

Introducetion

Vincentian Missionaries cannot have any doubt that the proper purpose of the Congregation of the Mission is to follow Christ evangelizing the poor [1]. Everyone accepts the idea of evangelizing the poor and doing so from the perspective of missionary proclamation, but not everyone embraces the original principles that Vincent de Paul gave to the above referenced purpose. In Vincent’s mind, writing and ministry, evangelization of the poor was not limited to preaching or some verbal communication. Rather, to evangelize meant that the gospel was made effective (CCD:XII:75). In other words, in addition to proclaiming (in words) the gospel, Vincentians have to make the gospel effective. Providing assistance to the poor and promoting their cause have to accompany the words that are preached. Therefore, as missionaries, we profess to devote ourselves totally to the poor … it is our special characteristic to be, like Jesus Christ, committed to the poor (CCD:XII:71). To dedicate ourselves like Jesus Christ … and we know that Vincent de Paul repeated those words on many occasions and also stated that to minister in the same manner as Jesus Christ meant that the missionaries would not only preach but would make the gospel effective through both their word and their action. In the thought of Vincent de Paul to dedicate ourselves to the poor means that we help them and assist them and alleviate their physical and spiritual pain and suffering with the strength of our arms and the sweat of our brows [2]. Therefore, neither the spirit nor the purpose of the Congregation is corrupted if we were to expressly state that our purpose consists of evangelizing and serving those who are poor. We find help in this matter in a gospel text [3]. In a commentary on that text we read the following: proclamation ought to be accompanied with liberating action … and the proclamation must be extended everywhere since the Good News is for everyone, but especially for those who are suffering and are not well. The proclamation of the good news originates from the experience of an encounter with God [4].

Ministries of the Congregation

Let us now focus on the ministries of the Congregation of the Mission. Popular missions in the rural areas of France were the original ministries. The demands of evangelization in the rural areas led Vincent de Paul and the first Missionaries to consider ministry in seminaries and the retreats for ordinands as complimentary and necessary ministries to that of the popular missions. With the passing of time and in light of the social and religious situations, other ministries appeared.

Today there are individuals among us who express doubts with regard to the fact that the exercise of charity is a Vincentian ministry … to say nothing about prison ministry. Do we not read the biographies of Vincent de Paul? Have we not read the writings of our Founders? Doesn’t history teach us anything? It does not seem right that we should hear some of our Vincentian missionaries speak such phrases as: prison ministry is not something proper to Vincentians but is meant for other religious orders or prison ministry should be something personal and sporadic. Vincent de Paul, as Chaplain General of the Galleys, was concerned about the material and religious well-being of prisoners: he preached missions to them and provided (or made the authorities provide) better living conditions. He not only became involved in this ministry but also had the Congregation of the Mission and the Daughters of Charity accept responsibility for this ministry [5]. With regard to those Christians who were held captive in North Africa, Algiers and Tunis, Vincent involved the whole Congregation in the ministry with those prisoners [6] … some Missionaries were involved directly in this ministry while others were involved indirectly. Vincent continually sent Missionaries to those places and in order that their ministry would be more effective he obtained for some of his Missionaries the position of consul. Can we view prison ministry as simply a personal ministry, a ministry that involves some few individuals or should we view this as a ministry that involves all the Vincentian Missionaries? Prison ministry is part of the history of the Congregation of the Mission … and shouldn’t history tell us something?

Throughout the history of the Congregation popular missions have defined its identity [7]. This could also be said about the life and the ministry of the Vincentian Missionaries in Spain [8]. Nevertheless, today one almost never hears about these missions and the majority of the pastors do not want to sponsor these in their parishes (at least not in their traditional format). After the 1970’s we, the members of the three Provinces that have opted for the process of reconfiguration, have found ourselves in the midst of “an outstanding setback” and “a striking decline”. If all the ministries ought to update themselves and renew themselves in the most profound manner that is possible, then it is clear that the popular missions have not only not updated themselves, but have become nearly extinct. Is it worth the effort to renew these missions today or should we be more concerned about enhancing other ministries, giving them a missionary character? With each passing day it seems that most probably the latter is our best option … one that is within our reach.

At the same time, the Vincentian Missionaries in Spain exert much energy in various parishes. In principle, Vincent de Paul was opposed to the administration of parishes, though he made some exceptions upon which he also placed certain conditions. This matter with regard to the administration of parishes should be further discussed (CCD:II:393-394) … it is clear, however, that there are certain disadvantages in administering these parishes [9] … such parishes should be accepted if they are connected to a seminary which has been entrusted to us (CCD:II:416-417; VII:267-269)… but it must be recognized that the administration of parishes is not in accord with the rules of the Congregation of the Mission (CCD:XIIIa:197). In fact, Vincent rejected the administration of the parishes in Senlis, Angulema, Arras and Poitiers [10]; Vincent also rejected housing for the Missionaries because there was a parish attached to it (CCD:V:465). Even though at its beginning the Congregation felt uncomfortable about this ministry it did accept some parishes (CCD:II:288-289). After the death of Vincent de Paul the Congregation of the Mission felt obliged to accept two royal parishes, in Fontainebleau and in Versailles [11]. At that time the superior general was René Alméras. At the present time, the Constitutions and the Statutes refer to parishes as valid ministries for the Congregation of the Mission, but once again certain conditions are placed upon the administration of parishes [12]. Are we mindful of these conditions? As we review, renew and update our ministries are we mindful of the demands of Statute #10?

Parishes

In Spain, before 1940, the Vincentian Missionaries administered no parishes. After the Second Vatican Council we administered many parishes. Have our reasons and our motives in accepting these parishes been in accord with the norms stated in our Constitutions and Statutes? On the one hand, it should be stated that parishes are a valid means that enables the Congregation of the Mission to achieve its purpose. But at the same time it must also be stated that there seems to be an excessive number of parishes that are now administered by the Congregation. Yes, we must sink our teeth into this ministry but we must do so with Vincentian realism and authenticity. Today there are more Missionaries involved in this ministry than in any other ministry … and this will probably remain so in the future. Nevertheless, those involved in this ministry must commit themselves to be faithful to the Vincentian demands with regard to evangelization and that includes the itinerant character of the process of Vincentian evangelization. At the same time, we have to combine (in our parishes) missionary evangelization with formation of the laity and we must make clear to the people the demands of charity and the itinerant nature of our missionary ministry. Indeed, there is no other way of acting if we want to remain faithful to the Vincentian spirit in our works and our ministries. Therefore, without renouncing other ministries and mindful of the ministry of popular missions which identifies the members of the Congregation, perhaps today we have to accept our role as parish ministers on the social and existential peripheries, thus leaving there the imprint of our Vincentian being and vocation.

Not many years ago it was said in some of our Provincial Assemblies that parish ministry had become excessive and did not give witness to our missionary identity. Such ministry also failed to reflect many signs of evangelization and therefore, pastoral ministry seemed to be routine, a ministry of maintenance and also seemed to make manifest the weariness of the missionaries . It is true that in all the Provinces there are lines of action that are intended to provide a guide to parish ministry, but these guidelines have not been embodied by the Missionaries [13]. In fact, even though the Missionaries have ministered in accord with the demands of our Constitutions and Statutes, they do not work together as members of a team and/or as members of a community. Often what one pastors does, is then undone by the next pastor. Let me conclude this reflection with some words that I wrote on another occasion: The raison d’etre for the administration of parishes by the Congregation can be no other than that of being living witnesses to the Vincentian spirit. In other words, the Missionaries must give priority to the process of evangelization and to their option on behalf of the poor. They should develop a liturgy that is attractive, devout, and lively and become engaged in a ministry that reaches out to and embraces young men and women, those who are alienated in any manner, the infirm, and immigrants. Through prayer and the sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation, they should promote the encounter of all people with Christ and at the same time involve people in charitable and social activity. They should promote the laity in ecclesial service and should also provide the laity with on-going formation in the area of the Bible and the Church’s Social Doctrine [14] .

I repeat that it is most probable that parish ministry will be the preferred ministry of the Vincentian Missionaries in the present and in the immediate future [15].

We have to decide this issue very soon and if all of this is to become our reality, then we have to prepare the Missionaries so that they exercise this ministry well and thus, never misrepresent or falsify the spirit of the Congregation of the Mission. [16]. Recent domestic assemblies have requested this. They have highlighted the fact that all pastoral ministry ought to be the undertaken from a missionary perspective and the poor ought to be the point of reference for said ministry. The laity are pivotal with regard to the process of evangelization … as they engage in the process of evangelization they must be aware of the fact that others evangelize them. At the same time there is a great demand with regard to the formation of good pastors and an equal demand that those engaged in parish ministry promote a team ministry approach. It has been recommended that the Missionaries give greater continuity to their activity and ministry. In accord with the words that Pope Francis has addressed to the whole Church, there is an urgent need to go out to the peripheries [17]. As we minister in marginalized areas, we must be clear about our objectives and must prioritize places and methods. We must remember that we ought to exercise our ministry in solidarity with other members of the broader Vincentian Family and that we are to give witness to the five characteristic virtues: simplicity, humility, mortification, gentleness and zeal. In this way the Missionaries cultivate and develop a good Vincentian missionary ministry.

Some missionaries recall and state that we should not neglect our ministry in seminaries and the formation of priests. Indeed, we should be open to such requests when they are made, but in Spain, when was the last time we engaged in this ministry? Have we positioned ourselves to be able to engage in this ministry in a competent manner? We recall here that the present Constitutions refer to this ministry as a way to fulfill the purpose of the Congregation of the Mission and in a like manner our Constitutions refer to the formation of the laity (something that was not stated in the Common Rules) [18]. Why has the formation of the laity found a place in our Constitutions and, in fact, a place that is parallel to that of the formation of the clergy? I believe that if our Constitutions simply referred to the formation of the clergy many provinces would find themselves excused because this ministry has disappeared in so many places and there is little possibility that this ministry will be renewed in the near future. Formation of the laity, however, is possible and today, it is demanded of us by reason of our Constitutions.

We have stated that with regard to the formation of the clergy we are not going to be able to develop such a ministry in the same manner that our confreres of a previous era did … but we can develop a ministry with regard to the formation of the laity and, in fact, our Constitutions highlight that fact [19]. We have in our midst lay persons who are members of the extended Vincentian Family as well as lay men and women who are members of the various parishes that we administer. Perhaps it is this very reality that should lead us to reflect upon the possibility of developing a school of formation with regard to the ministry of evangelization and charity. High stakes are in play for society, the Church and the Congregation. Therefore, two things are being demanded of us: [1] a clear and radical option for the evangelization of the poor and [2] a clear and radical option for the formation of the laity. In order to opt in this manner we must be filled with enthusiasm and we must be concerned about our own on-going formation. This will in turn lead us to develop concrete plans with regard to the process of evangelization among the poor and similar plans with regard to the process of forming the laity.

A time for action

There is no room for excuses or complaints … this is a time for action. We are few and we are many; we are old and we are young. The Congregation has to move forward from its present situation of apathy, a situation which some have called demonic and dark. During this time of reconfiguration, we pray that God will grant us the wisdom to know how to take advantage of the challenge of renewing our missionary activity … we need to promise to take advantage of this time and thus deepen and reflect upon our understanding of our Vincentian vocation. We ask for the strength and the inspiration to respond to the present demands of evangelization and service on behalf of those who are poor. We beg the Holy Spirit to assist us in this endeavor since we want to live today with the understanding that all of this is a gift from God and is also our proper commitment. Therefore, what will we do in this regard? Are we enthusiastic about our mission?

We are children of our era … perhaps too faithful to the spirit of the time, too faithful to its sins and worldly attitudes. As a result, we are chocking the spirit of the gospel. As Vincent de Paul would say, it is probable that we are walking along the path of the maxims of the world rather than the path of the gospel maxims. Therefore, we are unknowingly trapped in a net of mediocrity. Now is the time to awaken from our sleep! Now is the time to live the new day that the Church demands! In order to do this, we have to put aside the temptations that threaten the missionaries of the gospel and in their place we have to enflame our spirit with the demands of the evangelizing mission. In the first place and in accord with the recommendations of Pope Francis, we have to detach ourselves from a heightened individualism [20] and from every form of inferiority complex [21], from every form of relativism [22] and selfishness [23], from an excess of activity undertaken badly and without adequate motivation [24]. We need to detach ourselves from a tomb psychology [25], from disillusioned pessimism [26], from the evil spirit of defeatism [27], from spiritual “desertification” [28], from spiritual worldliness [29] and from the wars among ourselves as the people of God [30]. Second, as Pope Francis reminds us and in order to be faithful to our vocation and our mission in the Church, we ought always to clothe ourselves in an attitude of going forth [31], in an attitude of conversion and renewal [32]; we are to attempt to put all things in a missionary key [33] and to give witness that awakens the assent of the hearts by its nearness and love [34]. We are to accompany the faithful with mercy and patience [35], to develop a missionary spirituality [36], to run the risk of face to face encounter with others and the revolution of tenderness [37] and to offer communion and fraternity [38]. Indeed, the challenges, which are many at the present time, exist to be overcome [39]!

A path marked by visionary and missionary work awaits us. We live in the midst of challenges which demand that we courageously confront them and respond to them in a concrete, sincere and conclusive manner. We can no longer continue with our apathy and/or hesitation. No, the poor are crying out to us and the gospel demands that we, as missionaries, as Vincentian missionaries, respond to those cries. We can no longer allow ourselves to give in to the temptation of weariness or allow ourselves to be caught up in a state of inertia which often results in inactivity and discouragement. We must remember that God is acting … but God will only act if we ourselves place our hands and feet, our heart and our voices at the disposition of the process of evangelization. This is the time when we must allow the Holy Spirit to act in us and through us, when we must allow the Holy Spirit to tear down the doors and walls that close us in upon ourselves, when we must allow the Holy Spirit to begin, through us, a new missionary era, a new place for the mission of the sons and daughters of Vincent de Paul. Do we have such faith? Are we focused and centered on God? An authentic faith always involves a deep desire to change the world [40] because to evangelize is to make the kingdom of God present in our midst [41]. This is our time because it is God’s time! Now is the time for us as sons and daughters of Vincent de Paul! Now is the time for us as spirit-filled evangelizers fearlessly open to the working of the Holy Spirit in ourselves and in the midst of the world [42]. This stage, this new chapter of evangelization, requires joy, generosity and boldness [43]. At the same time missionaries today need to pray and to work, they need to be in communion with God so that, ultimately, God becomes the protagonist of this new Vincentian missionary activity [44]. Now is the time for the missionaries to put aside their excuse of fatigue and of a lack of resources [45]. Yes, this is definitely the hour to run to the peripheries where we will encounter the poor with whom we will be able to share the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ: How much good it does us when he once more touches our lives and impels us to share his new life! What then happens is that “we speak of what we have seen and heard” (1 John 1:3). The best incentive for sharing the Gospel comes from contemplating it with love, lingering over its pages and reading it with the heart. If we approach it in this way, its beauty will amaze and constantly excite us. But if this is to come about, we need to recover a contemplative spirit which can help us to realize ever anew that we have been entrusted with a treasure which makes us more human and helps us to lead a new life. There is nothing more precious which we can give to others [46]. This same idea was expressed by Vincent de Paul: Our Lord asks us to evangelize the poor; that’s what he did, and what he wants to continue to do through us … So then, what a great obligation we have to His Infinite Goodness for having associated us with him in this divine ministry, chosen by God from so many, many others, more worthy of this honor and more capable of succeeding in it than we are … there isn’t a single Company in the Church of God that has for its portion persons who are poor … That’s what Missioners profess to do, it is their special characteristic to be, like Jesus Christ, committed to the poor. So, our vocation is a continuation of his (CCD:XII:71). Do we need any further arguments to move us to action?

Footnotes

[1] Cf. Constitutions and Statutes of the Congregation of the Mission, (General Curia of the Congregation of the Mission, Rome [1984], English Translation, Philadelphia (1989), #1; Common Rules of the Congregation of the Mission, in the same publication that has just been referenced, Chapter 1, article 1; VINCENT DE PAUL, Correspondence, Conferences, Documents, translators: Helen Marie Law, DC (Vol. 1), Marie Poole, DC (Vol. 1-14), James King, CM (Vol. 1-2), Francis Germovnik, CM (Vol. 1-8, 13a-13b [Latin]), Esther Cavanagh, DC (Vol. 2), Ann Mary Dougherty, DC (Vol. 12); Evelyne Franc, DC (Vol. 13a-13b), Thomas Davitt, CM (Vol. 13a-13b [Latin]), Glennon E. Figge, CM (Vol. 13a-13b [Latin]), John G. Nugent, CM (Vol. 13a-13b [Latin]), Andrew Spellman, CM (Vol. 13a-13b [Latin]); edited: Jacqueline Kilar, DC (Vol. 1-2), Marie Poole, DC (Vol. 2-14), Julia Denton, DC [editor-in-chief] (Vol. 3-10, 13a-13b), Paule Freeburg, DC (Vol. 3), Mirian Hamway, DC (Vol. 3), Elinor Hartman, DC (Vol. 4-10, 13a-13b), Ellen Van Zandt, DC (Vol. 9-13b), Ann Mary Dougherty (Vol. 11, 12 and 14); annotated: John W. Carven, CM (Vol. 1-14); New City Press, Brooklyn and Hyde Park, 1985-2014; volume XII, p. 66-82; future references to this work will be inserted into the text (whenever practical) using the initials [CCD] followed by the volume number, followed by the page number, for example, CCD:XII:66-82.

[2] We find a clear reference to this idea in CCD:XI:77. On other pages we find the same thought expressed with the same urgency: CCD:XI:32-33, 349. The same idea is also expressed in the conferences to the Daughters of Charity whose mission is to serve the poor. The Sisters, however, must also preach the word and communicate the words of the gospel to those who are poor … in Vincentian spirituality, evangelization and service on behalf of the poor go hand in hand.

[3] I refer here to Mark 1:21-39 where we find a model for Vincentian evangelization.

[4] Tú tienes palabras de vida [You have the words of life], Casa de la Biblia, Lectura creyente de los Evangelios dominicales: Ciclo B, Verbo Divino, Estella (Navarra) 2005, p. 202. Prayer, an experience of God, is fundamental; one cannot be a good evangelizer unless one is also a person of prayer.

[5] I offer some references to the writings of Saint Vincent, but this is not an exhaustive list: CCD:I:168; II:394, 407, 437, 439-440; III:265, 271; VI:301-302; VII:133; VIII:277; X:425-425, 517; XIIIa:58-59, 216, 347-350; XIIIb:131ff, 145, 231, 233.

[6] As in the previous note here also I offer a few references with regard to this matter: CCD:II:398, 677-678; III:4-6, 24; V:89-90, 121, 495; VI:10-11, 391-392, 441-443, 612; VIII:161, 261-262, 319-321, 336-337, 348, 356-357, 358-359, 513-514; XIIIa:344-345.

[7] Once again I offer some references but this is by no means an exhaustive list: CCD:I:119; II:154-156, 342-342, 349-350, 394-395, 449, 482, 656-657; IV:48-49, 71-72, 106-107, 364,365, 391-392, 376-477, 561; V:80, 204, 373, 455-456; VI:533-534, 536, 604; VII:20, 484, 534-535; VIII:367, 385; XIIIa:242, 244, 258, 271-275, 280, 286ff, 293,ff, 296ff, 322ff; XII:70-71; Constitutions, #14.

[8] Cf. Baraquín, Santiago, La Congregación de la Misión en España hoy. Descripción y Reflezión [The Congregation of the Mission in Spain today: Description and Reflection], CEME, Santa Marta Tormes, Salamanca, 2006, pp.74-86. I also note two interesting articles in this regard: Olabuenaga, Mitxel, “Misiones populares y Congregación de la Misión” [Popular Missions and the Congregation of the Mission], Anales, vol. 111, (2003), p. 229ff; Salamero, Anselmo, “Pinceladas para una historia de la Congregacion de la Misión en España” [Perspectives for a history of the Congregation of the Mission in Spain”, Boletín Informativo, Padres Paúles, Provincia de Madrid, #267, (June -September 2003), pp.8ff.

[9] Cf. CCD:II:280-282, 656-657; IV:589-590; V:234-235, 409, 436; VI:355, 634; VII:188, 268, 368.

[10] CF. CCD:II:280-282, 549, 634, 188.

[11] Luigi Mezzadri, CM and José María Romáb, The Vincentians: A General History of the Congregation of the Mission, Volume I: From the Foundation to the End of the Seventeenth Century, 1625-1696, translated by Robert Cummings, edited by Joseph E. Dunne and John E. Rybolt, CM, New City Press, Hyde Park, New York (2009), p. 107-123.

[12] Statute 10; cf. Constitutions #13. Statute #10 states the following: Parishes are included among the apostolic works of the Congregation, provided that the apostolate which the members exercise there is in accord with the purpose and nature of our Institute, and provided also that the small number of pastors requires it. These parishes of the Congregation should consist, for the most part, of the really poor, or should be attached to seminaries where confreres give pastoral formation.

[13] Cf. Reports of the four Visitor of Spain to their respective Provincial Assemblies (2003) … commented upon and analyzed by Santiago Barquín, op.cit., p. 62-74.

[14] Ibid., p. 73-74

[15] Cf. Ibid., p. 74.

[16] Cf. Ibid.

[17] EG #19-49.

[18] Constitutions, #1; Common Rules, I:1.

[19] The text in our Constitutions reads: The purpose of the Congregation of the Mission is to follow Christ evangelizing the poor. This purpose is achieved when, faithful to S. Vincent, the members individually and collectively: … [3] help the clergy and laity in their formation and lead them to a fuller participation in the evangelization of the poor (Constitutions, #1).

[20] EG #78.

[21] EG #79.

[22] EG #80.

[23] EG #81.

[24] EG #82.

[25] EG #83.

[26] EG #84-86.

[27] EG #85.

[28] EG #86.

[29] EG #93-97.

[30] EG #98-101.

[31] EG #20-24.

[32] EG #25-33.

[33] EG #34-37.

[34] EG #42.

[35] EG #44.

[36] EG #78-80, 89.

[37] EG #88.

[38] EG #89-92.

39] EG #109.

[40] EG #183.

[41] EG #176.

[42] EG #259.

[43] EG #261.

[44] EG #262-268, 279.

[45] EG #275-280.

[46] EG #264

Translated: Charles T. Plock, CM