May the grace of the Lord Jesus, which was given to St. Vincent de Paul to evangelize the poor, accompany you all!
With this article, we want to share with you how we lived the Vincentian month (September) that we closed with the solemnity of Saint Vincent de Paul.
Here in Rwanda as in Burundi, the Vincentian charism is alive thanks to God. The branches of the Vincentian family are really dynamic. In order to do our mission well as FAMVIN, the BUCOFAMVIN has divided us into zones in order to be able to meet each other better: Ruhengeri Zone (Nemba and Ruhengeri), Kicukiro Zone (Kicukiro and Nyamirambo), Mukungu Zone (Mukungu and Musango), Rusumo Zone (Mahama), Kabgayi Zone, Butare Zone.
What a joy to be in this charisma so actual and necessary nowadays. We are very pleased to present to you in a few words what has marked the Vincentian month in Rwanda.
This month has been for us a time of grace because we have prayed and we have done charitable works. In some places the bishops presided the solemn mass. We share with you that the preparation of the feast of St. Vincent de Paul as well as the day of the feast were marked by themes that helped us to reflect together with our poor on how his life can help us, stimulate us in the integral development in our families, in the Church, in our society especially in our country.
These moments were an opportunity to visit poor families and share with them their joys and sorrows. For some, it was an opportunity to visit the sick, the centers for the disabled. These visits were always followed by a fraternal agape. When the poor are well served, the children of Saint Vincent de Paul are sanctified.
We thank the Lord who inspired Monsieur Vincent de Paul to be his instrument in the midst of his people, especially the poorest. St. Vincent de Paul continues to attract many lay people, consecrated persons. And knowing who Vincent is for us, helps us to go back to our roots in order to live in a special way a particular characteristic of the charism. Thus, he also inspires us to be active men and women in trying to find answers to the needs of the poor of today despite social, economic and even religious difficulties.
The experience of Saint Vincent de Paul is our experience. He lived through war, economic crisis, inequality, exploitation of people, corruption etc., but he also knew how to find an answer to everything. He had an ability to relate to everyone, from the king to the last beggar; this characteristic amazes us, especially in our time when we live in a society that constantly divides people from each other on the basis of social status, race, political color, nation. He knew how to unite people despite their differences.
St. Vincent would not have been what he was without the trust in God that he had in himself in the worst moments of crisis of faith. His driving force was God. He did something because he was convinced that God was leading him to it, he also knew that if something was not of God, it would only end soon.
May God bless us with the gestures made to our Lords and Masters on the occasion of the feast of Saint Vincent de Paul.
P. Norvey VILLANUEVA VALENCIA, CM. In charge of Communication
Father Theoneste ZIGIRINSHUTI, CM. Regional Assistant and in charge of FAMVIN-RWANDA
Father Miguel MARTINEZ, CM Regional Superior and President of BUCOFAMVIN
