Vincentian Spirituality
A Way of Vincentian Spirituality
- St. Vincent doesn't offer us a spirituality, a teaching on prayer or the spiritual life. He offers us a Spiritual Way. He shows us how we can meet our God in everyday experiences, in the events, the persons, the circumstances of our life. His Way is the way of the Church, a way of experience, of faith, of practical wisdom.... all embraced in a spirit of love.
A Way of Charity Vincent experienced true Charity - the love that led God to send his Son among us. . . 'to bring the good news to the poor.'
A Way of Mission Vincent responded to God's love and call, and saw himself and his followers as being sent also 'to bring good news to the poor.'
A Way of Prayer in Action For Vincent, Prayer was a way of developing and deepening a personal relationship with God, with Jesus Christ. Vincent experienced God in his life. He had a deep faith and trust in God's providential care for him and for all people, especially the poor. He encouraged his followers to share their faith, their experience of God in prayer and in their life experience.
A Way of Practical Love Vincent encouraged his followers to be contemplatives in action, to respond to God in practical love both of God and one's neighbours, practical love, especially of the poor.
See also: Vincentian Spirituality - Pat Collins, C.M.
External Links
Vincent de Paul's "Way", Kevin Canty CM, Australian Provincial Website
Vincentian Spirituality: A Spirituality Of the Poor? A Spirituality Of Justice?By Dan Paul Borlik, C.M.
