Introduction

St. Vincent greatly respected this virtue.  He even liked to define it as his gospel, confessing that he had also made ‘many advances’ in his practice of simplicity, despite his origins and his Gascon character.  All this can be appreciated even more if we remember the historical and cultural reality in which the Saint lived.  His time was the century of the ‘Baroque’, a unique event and a cultural phenomenon that highlighted ‘appearance and scenography, favoring exteriority at the expense of essence and concreteness’.  St. Vincent himself defines the 1600’s as a century corrupted by artificiality, by duplicity, by misrepresentation, with a great deal of vanity and preoccupation about appearances but little common sense.  If humility can be considered the foundation of Vincentian spirituality, we could say that it was simplicity that mainly characterized the Saint’s life and thought.  It is the style and manner of being Vincentian. As always, before proposing the message and the practice of simplicity, St. Vincent made it the object of his own particular attention and personal reflection. As always, he teaches from his own personal experience, thus inviting others to conform to the life of the Son of God, in order to be more effective in service.

1 – God is ‘simplicity’

There are two paths of reflection that emerge in the thought of St. Vincent: his own faith and his observation of the life of the poor. From

Scripture he receives the fundamental message that God is simple and reveals himself and communicates with simple people (see Mt 11:25).  For Vincent, the invitation to go directly to God is a constant refrain. “To attend to simplicity is to journey towards God”, as well as “be among the simple people – those of the countryside – who still find true faith.” “True religion exists among the poor. God enriches them with living faith: they believe in, they touch and they taste the words of life … Why do they act this way?  What is behind it? It is their faith. And why?  Because they are simple … “. On the contrary “duplicity is not pleasing to God”, but rather, we must always focus on Him (St. Vincent to Marco Coglée, September 25, 1652).  Being simple therefore is “going straight to God”; it is “doing nothing except to give glory to Him. For this we trample over human respect and our self interest”. St. Vincent is struck by the fact that God communicates to the simple / small / humble (see CM Common Rules, chap. II, 4-5). Here is the way to discover how the true “wisdom of the heart” and the true knowledge of Christian virtues, can be put into practice.

2 – Simplicity and the Poor

If the poor are a way to go to God, then we must approach them with simplicity, since they represent it (see the instructions to the Daughters of Charity on how to serve the sick, and think of the example of Barbara Angiboust who wanted to serve the poor and not the noble ladies). In teaching the Missionaries, the perspective is apostolic: with this virtue the Missionaries truly touch the hearts of the poor, who have no education and can be conquered to the Gospel only with very simple words and gestures. Duplicity, says St. Vincent, is the plague of the Missionary!

3 – Simplicity … a ‘spirit’, a ‘lifestyle’

Simplicity is a spirit rather than an attitude. It presupposes a set of qualities or virtues: humility, sincerity, truth, modesty.  Joined together in practice, theses virtues make a person’s being and outlook, bright, clear, spontaneous, natural and true. That person then exhibits a sweetness that attracts, a goodness that welcomes, and a delicacy that prevents offense.

This spirit of simplicity comes from God: it is embodied above all by a way of being and living of those French 17th century “working women from the countryside,” from which came the first Daughters of Charity and generates a lifestyle expressed as follows:

  • do everything for God, without worrying about what the world will say; but only so that it brings joy to God, to the world, to the poor;
  • do not be afraid to speak the truth, even in the face of injustice, when it is a question of the ‘glory of God’ and the ‘good of the poor’;
  • do not be duplicitous, speak back to those in charge … and not to everybody: ‘God lives in the simple’ (SV);
  • always have a serene and smiling face, even if and when the heart suffers;
  • knowing how to adopt humble and prudent attitudes; know how to use simple language that is suited to and understandable by those who receive our charitable activity (St. Vincent insisted on the need to use the ‘little method’ for preaching). In short, it is a question of taking into account those who are in front of them in order to be able to deal with everyone in the most appropriate and productive way.

4 – Simplicity, today, for us

Upon reflecting on this virtue we find it to be very current and concrete: it touches on what is most intimate in a person’s life and determines more authentic behaviors towards others. Here are some updates. Being simple involves:

  • being true to oneself: this means ‘accepting oneself just as one is, remaining indifferent to the external image that is highlighted, as well as to the judgments one receives; it is living in truth, it is being bold because the simple has nothing to lose;
  • being true with each other: it is about facilitating exchange, sharing, and equality; it is about knowing how to overcome rigidities and formalisms, but to foster relationships and create a climate of confidence;
  • there is also simplicity for and in the mission; here it is a matter of being prophetic by responding to the challenges of today’s society, as well as purifying oneself from many half-measures (which concern possessions, knowledge, power), but choosing to respond with more gospel-based attitudes and attitudes.

Simplicity will guarantee my Vincentian identity and vocation. Such as?

  • It will create a commitment to live your life according to the Gospel.
  • It will help you to reject any counterfeit or disguised self-image.
  • It will inspire you to work only for the Kingdom of God rather than any human success.

Simplicity is then ‘being and feeling’ at the service of the truth.  So, speak with it habitually and welcome it naturally, in order to manifest a sincere and authentic life.  One must always maintain the unity of both simplicity and truthfulness, while still respecting freedom and charity!

5 – Questions for reflection

* What about the quality of my own spiritual experience? Is it based on simplicity? Is it sincere love, characterized by listening and a filial, faithful response to God?  Does it help me to stand before God as I am, to let myself be converted?  Do I desire to put my life in harmony with the same Gospel that I am called to announce?  Is my prayer a true dialogue with God or is it with myself?  Is my prayer simple, such that I can spontaneously share it with others?

* Do I judge others about being simple… or not?  And how am I? Am I always myself, without allowing myself to be influenced by those around me, or by a desire to appear a certain way, or by a need for success or approval? Am I able to learn from the poor?  Are they really “my masters”?

* Which lifestyle did I really choose?  What criteria does my behavior follow?  How does simplicity determine my personal and community choices, especially in serving?

Prayer

Lord, grant us simplicity so that our lives may be welcoming, modest, and generous.

Lord, grant us simplicity so that our lives may be so transparent that your light can pass through them.

Lord grant us your simplicity to make our lives flourish with love and goodness.

Mario di Carlo, CM
Province of Italy

Translation:  Dan Paul Borlik, CM
Western Province, USA