Saint Vincent de Paul in glory presented by the Virgin Mary to the Holy Trinity. (Anonymous Ligurian of the middle of the SVIII century) Genoa-Church of the Mission
As with other aspects of Christian spirituality, the Marian devotion of St. Vincent is also closely linked to the teaching of the Church: developed with great moderation it is also rich in doctrinal elements. In any case, Vincent was able to cultivate and maintain a substantial balance between theological aspects with sensitivity to devotional feelings.
1 – Mary in Vincent’s life.
St. Vincent is very discreet when expressing his religious sentiments and for the most part emphasized the centrality of Christ. So, we are talking about a Christological spirituality in this regard. This is why he usually speaks of Mary in relationship with Christ: ‘Our Lord and his Holy Mother’, is his favorite and very significant phrase. His Marian devotion is thus expressed in the tradition of Christian, country-folk tradition, with particular attention to Our Lady of Buglose, a small and simple Marian devotional site near his hometown. There he went on pilgrimage during a decisive moment in his life when in 1620 he had traveled to his homeland for a final visit, taking that opportunity to make a pilgrimage to the place so dear to him since childhood.
2 – Mary in Vincent’s way of thinking.
We find her especially in the references to the Daughters of Charity, a bit less when addressing the Missionaries. St Vincent envisions Mary concretely and down to earth: he sees her as a woman of the people rather than a sacred statue protected in a church’s niche. Indeed, he saw her present in every woman: “When your deal with a woman, imagine that you are dealing with the Holy Virgin,” he says to the Sisters. In his conferences he makes references to Mary’s role in the lives of the Sisters, recommending that they pray to her continuously, particularly with the recitation of the rosary. Above all, he would often repeat the formula “Mary, the only mother of the Company”, which became habitual on the lips of every Daughter of Charity throughout the ages. In the Rules, even those of the Missionaries, Vincent’s appeal to Mary is evident, ranging from entreaties to praise her and seek her help to strong pleas to imitate her.
3 – Mary in Vincentian tradition.
Especially in regard to the Sisters we have come to speak of Mary’s stamp on their spirituality, but this is true in the Congregation itself. This Marian element was strengthened by what happened in history, with two events taking place during the 1800’s.
- The apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1830, with the revelations to Catherine Labouré regarding her love of predilection for the Company, in addition to the calls for a more exact observance of the Rule, all linked to the gift of the miraculous medal developed into a strong commitment for its diffusion by all the Sisters, but also by the Missionaries.
- The 1842 apparition to Alfonso Ratisbonne in Rome, in the church of San Andrea delle Fratte, helped to strengthen the bond of all the Vincentians with the Virgin Mary, in addition to making Rome a “second Lourdes”.
These two facts demonstrate all the characteristics of Vincentian simplicity: everything happens in silence and discretion, everything manifests itself gradually, but in such a way as to leave a strong impression on the lives of many people.
Furthermore, these events were experienced and interpreted as confirmation of Mary’s attention to the two Vincentian institutions along with a further invitation to live out an authentic Marian devotion that could spread the imitation of Mary to all Saint Vincent’s spiritual children. We find this particular devotion confirmed in the lives of many Daughters of Charity who have felt Mary’s support in their journey of service and as a commitment to spread this special devotion. In addition, the Missionaries of the Congregation, especially through the Popular Missions, spread knowledge of and devotion to the Miraculous Medal, producing among the people a strong affection for and imitation of the Holy Virgin.
4 – Maria in our lives
Aware of the role that the Virgin Mary has in our life and certain of the primacy in us of the mystery of Christ, we can mention some points for reflection and concrete commitment.
- In Marian devotion there is the relationship between faith and prayer. It is important not to stop at a simple sentimentalism, as cautions chapter 8 of Lumen Gentium, but to stress the necessity of combining well our devotion, love, prayer with a decisive faith journey, in order to be always, like Mary, “pilgrims of faith.”.
- Knowing how to see Mary as a model of a life given to God – it is the “yes” of consecration as both praise to God and also as a lived commitment in service of one’s neighbor. Thus, we can see Mary as the star of evangelization (= to bring Christ and his word) as well as an icon of charity (to serve as she has served, responding promptly and totally).
True and authentic Marian devotion develops into a commitment to an ever-deepening fidelity to the good news of Christ, an invitation to bring the strongest and most genuine needs of the Gospel into daily life.
What a happiness, dear sisters! Here is a noble purpose! Quoi ! To have been established to honor Jesus Christ’s own great charity; to have Him as a model and example, together with the Virgin Mary in everything you do, O mon Dieu, what a happiness! How blessed are the mothers who have borne children to carry on such a ministry, which must be the continuation of what Our Lord and his most holy mother did on earth! (Coste, CCD, 10, Conference 70, p. 92).
P. Mario di Carlo, CM
Provincia d’Italia
Translation: P. Dan Paul Borlik, CM
USA Western Province
