There are many Congregations in the Church that have a similar purpose and ministries like ours. Nevertheless, the spirit that animates the members is what differentiates one Congregation from another. The spirit of our Congregation is expressed in the five characteristic virtues that Saint Vincent de Paul has passed on to us as a legacy. When we speak about the spirit of the Congregation of the Mission, we are referring to a lifestyle and a form of ministering that is different from other Congregations. It could be said that the characteristic virtues are the distinguishing mark of our Congregation. The significance of these distinguishing marks should not be underestimated because it is precisely there that we find the difference from other charisms and gifts.
Why did Vincent conclude that our five virtues, and not some others, concretized the spirit of the Congregation? Vincent saw those virtues reflected in Jesus’ ministry as he went from village to village evangelizing and caring for poor people. Therefore, when Vincent spoke about these virtues, he always related them to Jesus Christ … thus, the theological grounding and the practical foundation for the characteristic virtues. Indeed, For Vincent, the most important practical reason for living in accord with these virtues is that each one of them (individually and collectively) guarantees the best fulfillment of the purpose of the Congregation of the Mission. Vincent also viewed these virtues as necessary for the fraternal life of an apostolic community.
There is something permanent with regard to the characteristic virtues and also something that evolves over the course of time. What, then, is the permanent aspect of these virtues? The permanent aspect is the gospel and theological value of the virtues. Vincent was a man of his times and lived in France during the seventeenth century. After his death, the characteristic virtues became a lifestyle, a perspective from which to view life, a perspective that had the power to inspire many Christians. As a lifestyle, the virtues never aged … the virtues portray that lifestyle. What ought to change in the virtues is the manner in which we express St. Vincent’s sprit or express his lifestyle. Therefore, the five characteristic virtues cannot be presented in the same manner as they were presented some hundred years ago.
At the same time, the culture in which we live has changed. Therefore, we must be concerned about presenting the virtues in a manner that is related to the values of our present-day culture, while at the same time, denouncing the counter values. For example, the virtue of simplicity is related is two cultural currents: truthfulness and spontaneity … at the same time, duplicity and lying are to be denounced from the perspective of simplicity. Humility expresses the reality of interdependence (so prevalent and obvious in our world) as well as the urgency to value each and every person. At the same time, humility denounces the competition and self-reliance that is present in our society. Gentleness is related to the civilization of love and to tolerance and denounces the violence and terrorism of the present era. Mortification establishes bonds of solidarity with those people who suffer physical and morally and leads us to denounce hedonism and consumerism. Zeal inspires us to minister in a professional manner and to denounce apathy.
Perhaps the most obvious and practical manner to live out our vocation is to do so from the perspective of the five characteristic virtues.
By: Francisco Javier Álvarez, CM
Vicar-General
Translated:
Charles T. Plock, CM
Eastern Province, USA
