As we approach the celebration of the solemnity of Saint Louise de Marillac, also the 60th anniversary of her being declared the universal patroness of Social Workers (Pope John XXIII: February 10, 1960), we understand that we will be celebrating this feast in an unusual and unexpected manner as a result of the pandemic that we are currently experiencing. Allow me to share with you some reflections that I hope will enhance our prayer and meditation during these special days.
Vincent and Louise always acted in accord with the dictates of Divine Providence: neither lagging behind nor anticipating the ways of God. This ability has given relevance to their names and their work throughout the centuries.
In 1631 there was an widespread outbreak of the plague in Paris which resulted in an increase in the number of infirm men and women in every parish. In light of this urgent situation, the Confraternities invited young village women to join with them in serving the poor. Among those women was Marguerite Naseau who displayed an extraordinary zeal and a boundless generosity. She died in February 1633 after having been infected with the plague. Her death was the seed that was buried in the field that produced an abundant harvest. Vincent stated that she was the first who showed the way to others. Slowly over time a large group of women joined together and their number continued to increase until November 29, 1633 when, in a very imperceptible and unsuspecting manner, Vincent and Louise gave the world, the Church and the poor the gift of the Company of the Daughters of Charity
No form of human or spiritual misery was foreign to Vincent and Louise and their followers: illiterate and poor children, the infirm and the elderly abandoned in their homes and/or in hospitals, children living on the streets and begging at church entrances. In 1638, with gospel courage, our Founders sent Daughters to the battlefields in Richelieu. With war came hunger and poverty and illness and all forms of abuse. Here we cite Vincent in order to understand the horrors of the situation: the famine here is so bad that we see men eating dirt, chewing on grass, stripping the bark off trees, and tearing up and swallowing the miserable rags that cover them (CCD:IV:301).
The charitable activity of Vincent and Louise was carried out in an organized manner, with a deep Christian sense that was not mere philanthropy, but mercy in the precise sense of the word: misere which means misery, need, and heart. Thus, they had the ability to experience firsthand the pain of those who were suffering and rushed to attend to their poverty. They saw the face of God in the poor and the person of Jesus Christ hidden in such fragility.
Yes, charity was well-organized and our Founders spent time in planning the most effective manner to respond to the realities of war and the plague and hunger: the members of the Confraternities spared no effort in soliciting assistance and the members of the Congregation distributed this aid and together with the Daughters of Charity attended to their pastoral needs. We could say that this effectiveness came about as the result of the perfect binomial called Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac.
As the years passed each era has experienced different forms of misery as well as pandemics and the members of the Vincentian Family have responded with the same courage that was witnessed by our Founders. We simply mention here the collaboration between Rosalie Rendu and Frederic Ozanam and the youthful members of newly established Society of Saint Vincent de Paul who reached out to assist those who were poor. We also refer to Blessed Durando who during the Crimean War send Missionaries and Daughters to the battlefields. We could continue to list confreres and Daughters as well as lay members of the Vincentian Family who have cared for the poor throughout the centuries … and that list would be endless.
As 2019 was drawing to a close and the year 2020 was beginning, we began to experience the effects of the pandemic known as Covid-19 which has assaulted the whole world. We also know that it was in Wuhan, China that the missionaries, Francis Regis Clet and Jean Gabriel Perboyre were martyred.
As a result of this serious pandemic that has invaded even the most remote places of the world, the members of the Vincentian Family have responded with the same generosity as those who preceded them … responded to the cries of the poor. History will recount the sacrifice of countless missionaries, sisters and laywomen and men who have responded to this situation and the new forms of poverty that we are experiencing. In this way they have made the message of the gospel effective and have given new meaning to the words of our Founder: love is inventive unto infinity.
Let us cite here some examples of the heroic, joyful service of our brothers and sisters, who with great prudence and despite the uncertainty of the situation, have continued to serve their sisters and brothers who are poor.
- Every day more than 250 homeless people arrive at the Walk-in Center of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal that is directed by the Daughters of Charity in Bogotá (Colombia) … there these men and women are provided with a lunch (often this is the only food that they will eat during the day). These individuals are hungry and homeless and rely on God’s mercy and the generosity of benefactors.
- In Curitiba, Brazil, the formators and seminarists from Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Seminary, together with the Daughters of Charity, provide lunch every Saturday to 200 homeless people. Father Joelcio Saibot, CM, states: to be with the poor is to listen to them, to become neighbor to them … caring for them in their pain and suffering is an attitude that demands detachment and boldness. We have divided ourselves into teams and we attempt to serve not only a plate of food, but we also want these men and women to experience the love of God as they receive their food.
- In the Republic of Panama, the Daughters of Charity in Colon bring food to the homeless and in Panama City a confrere is providing the homeless with psychological assistance.
These are three examples from among so many others that reveal the manner in which affective charity is becoming effective. In so many parts of the world the members of the Vincentian Family are responding to the urgent needs of this present time. Only God knows all that is being done by members of the Congregation of the Mission, Daughters of Charity, laymen and women of the Vincentian Family in silence and yet in such an effective manner. There is no doubt that their names are written in the book of charity which is known only to the merciful God.
The celebration of this solemnity of our Holy Founder will be unique … churches will be empty, there will be no beautiful flower arrangements, no preachers of stimulating homilies … but yes, it will be a most extraordinary celebration. It will be celebrated wherever the poor dwell, giving attention to the wandering Christ on the streets, in hospital wards, in nursing homes among the elderly and the dying and in the wards of makeshift walk-in health centers. Today more than ever before, Vincent and Louise smile from their heavenly mansion, because their life, their charism and their mission did not die in 1660. ALLELUIA!!! ALLELUIA!!!
By: Marlio Nasayó Liévano, CM
Province of Colombia
