INTRODUCTION:

St. Vincent de Paul never wrote a book about his spiritual teachings.  But we find the living voice of the saint in his letters and conferences in which he trained his followers for the mission of service to the poor.

 

The two fundamental sources of his teaching are the GOSPEL and LIFE.  He wanted his followers to put the whole of the Gospel into the whole of their lives, and he never wearied of deepening both with all the faith that God had put into his heart.  That is why all that Vincent says to us has the simplicity of our everyday life and the penetrating strength of the Word of God.

 

The Vincentian Weekly Reflections are therefore offered to all who strive to serve the poor in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul.  The prayer and reflections are based on the Sunday Gospel of the Liturgical Calendar, together with the feast days of some of the saints of our Vincentian Family.  Each reflection offers a time for prayer, silence and discussion so that our everyday life, like Vincent, can become penetrated with the strength of the Word of God.

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FEAST OF BLESSED FREDERIC OZANAM

September 9

Gospel: (Luke 10: 25-37)

“And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied:  “There was a man going down from Jerusalem to Jericho who fell in with robbers.  They stripped him, beat him, and then went off leaving him half-dead.  A priest happened to be going down the same road; he saw him but continued on.  Likewise there was a Levite who came the same way; he saw him and went on.  But a Samaritan who was journeying along came on him and was moved to pity at the sight.  He approached him and dressed his wounds, pouring in oil and wine as a means to heal.  He then hoisted him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, where he cared for him.  The next day he took out two silver pieces and gave them to the innkeeper with the request:  “Look after him, and if there is any further expense I will repay you on my way back.”  Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the man who fell in with the robbers?”  The answer came, “The one who treated him with compassion.”  Jesus said to him, “Then go and do the same.”

 

Reflection:

Frederic heard the call of Jesus –to be merciful. He saw the works of mercy as calls to action. He believed that if he genuinely wanted to serve the poor and others, he had to direct his works of mercy to the moral and spiritual betterment of individuals, not only to the alleviation of their physical distress.

Vincentian Meditation:

At Frederic Ozanam’s beatification ceremonies, August 22, 1997, Pope John Paul II told the world:  “Frederic observed the real situation of the poor and sought to be more and more effective in helping them in their human development.  He understood that charity must lead to efforts of justice...that charity and justice go together.  Frederic had the clear-sighted courage to seek a front-line social and political commitment in a troubled time in the life of his country.”
(Memorial of the Beatification of Frederic Ozanam, p.82)

Discussion: (Share your thoughts on the readings after a moment of silence)
How are you living the spirit of Frederic in “justice and charity”?

Closing Prayer:  A Litany in Honor of Blessed Frederic Ozanam

Frederic Ozanam, defender of faith, pray for us.

Frederic Ozanam, promoter of hope, pray for us.

Frederic Ozanam, apostle of charity, pray for us.

Frederic Ozanam, exemplary husband and father, pray for us.

Frederic Ozanam, lover of poverty and the poor, pray for us.

Frederic Ozanam, advocate of the dignity of the human person, pray for us.

Frederic Ozanam, servant of the truth, pray for us.

Frederic Ozanam, model for Catholic teachers and professors, pray for us.

Frederic Ozanam, disciple of St. Vincent De Paul, pray for us.

Frederic Ozanam, faithful son of the Church, pray for us. Amen