The message on divine Providence is at the center of Saint Vincent’s spirituality and explains his thinking and acting. If we usually characterize him as the ‘Saint of charity’ and say that the definition he gives of God is, according to Scripture, ‘Charity–Love,’ we must also say that the definition of ‘God – Providence’ sums up well his way of understanding our God and the relationship with Him, which respects both our human freedom and the absolute divine lordship. It is, therefore, a matter of living seriously the dimension of faith as the ability to “let God do it,” trusting Him and his will always to act as a tender and merciful Father who wants the good of his children in every way. Among the various conferences to the Daughters of Charity and to the Missionaries, we do not find any directly dedicated to this theme, but the message returns very frequently between the lines, starting with the first words to the Daughters of Charity, as we read in Conference 1. Providence has guided you, as God guided His people, but also as with the early Church.[1] The biblical reference serves to explain the delay in giving them their rules. Again, Providence brought them together at that time so that they could honor God in a dignified way with the commitment and dedication of their entire lives. In this way, Saint Vincent tried to counteract conflicting positions, such as those of the Jansenists, who tended to give too much latitude to marked attitudes of predestination. For him, instead, our God is at work in history and it is there that we can meet him and experience his merciful action. This foundation supports commitment even in favor of others. Therefore, no fatalism or passivity.
Never anticipate divine Providence.
The Saint often repeated this concept, the result of his own way of acting. This was his particular characteristic: following Providence, because God’s works are accomplished when He wants. We always must discern in order to grasp the moment of grace. For this reason, Saint Vincent reflected, meditated, observed the vicissitudes of life, consulted with wise people whom he trusted, and only then moved on to action. He seemed to be slow in his way of proceeding; but once he recognized the will of God, he immediately went to action and no one could stop him. Consequently, he can say that even his works and all the foundations carried out were not his work, nor those of his collaborators, but of God alone. The reference to Providence also inspires the Saint with a great feeling of trust and abandonment. He feels serene and calm as a child in the arms of his mother or his nurse, as we read in Psalm 131. Rather, I have stilled my soul, like a weaned child to its mother, weaned is my soul. Whoever relies on God has nothing to fear. Indeed, Saint Teresa said, ‘God alone is enough.’ Providence also ensures stability and continuity for the various foundations. The God who rose them up will assist them in their journey so that they can pursue the goals that have been entrusted to them. Whoever abandons himself to it will lack nothing! To have confidence in Providence means that we must hope that God will take care of those who serve Him … Let’s leave matters to God; He’ll know how to obtain His glory from that and will make it succeed to our advantage because He loves us more tenderly than any father loves his child (CCD X, 403-404). Thus, we find the whole teaching of Jesus which, in Matthew 6:25-34, invites us to place all our trust in and abandon ourselves to the provident and farsighted love of God the Father, who provides for the lilies of the field and the birds of the sky. Even more so, he will not neglect his children. It is therefore important always to feel ourselves under the gaze of God who does not thwart our expectations and who feeds our hope.
Living today under the gaze and guidance of divine Providence.
The reminder applies at personal and community level. In a culture that favors action and efficiency, which focus entirely on human capacities, it is important to keep ever at the center of our reflection and action that God is the protagonist, who does not stop working and who acts for our good. Even for the community, which is experiencing a phase that is not too exciting due to the vocational crisis and widespread aging, Saint Vincent reminds us that it is always God who leads it into history and who will bring it to a successful end. The attitude to be safeguarded is that of making ever more space for God in our existence and that of the community.
Mario Di Carlo, CM
Province d’Italy
[1] Vincent de Paul, Correspondence, Conferences, Documents, translated and edited by Jacqueline Kilar, DC; and Marie Poole, DC; et al; annotated by John W. Carven, CM; New City Press, Brooklyn and Hyde Park, 1985-2014; volume IX, p. 1. Future references to this work will be inserted into the text using CCD, followed by the volume and page numbers; for example CCD IX, 1.
