The document discusses how Vincent de Paul and the Vincentian charism should be understood through the lens of Easter joy and the resurrection, rather than just sacrifice and mortification. It summarizes quotes from Vincent that reference happiness in serving the poor. It proposes ways for Vincentian groups to reflect on and commit to spreading the message of Easter joy through their works.

1. EASTER JOY AND THE VINCENTIAN
CHARISM
REFLECTION
Rolando Gutiérrez, CM Vice-Province of Costa Rica invites us to reflect

2. A TIME TO
UNDERSTAND
Jubilee Year on the
Occasion of the
400th Anniversary of
the Vincentian Charism

3. EASTER JOY AND THE VINCENTIAN CHARISM ・ A TIME TO UNDERSTAND
Evangelii Gaudium, the first Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis,
highlights and clarifies the theology of joy that is based on an encounter
with the Risen Lord: with Christ joy is constantly born anew (EG, #1).
Four hundred years after the birth of our charism, the ideas, which have
been emphasized by Pope Francis, provide us with an insight that enables
us to reread our Vincentian spirituality during this Easter Season.

4. There is no doubt that Vincent de Paul
was a man of his era, one who was
influenced by the French School of
spirituality and by the classical
theology that was taught at the
University of Toulouse. Such theology
did not include a development of the
virtue of joy nor a Christology that was
focused on the resurrection as an
historical event. Nevertheless, the life
and the ministry of the apostle of
charity has to be understood as a
whole since it is only in that way that
we avoid falsely interpreting
individual passages in his writings.
EASTER JOY AND THE VINCENTIAN CHARISM ・ A TIME TO UNDERSTAND

5. It is true that a life of service on behalf
of the poor demands sacrifice and
mortification, but that does not mean
that Vincent and his followers were
bitter and/or resentful. Quite the
contrary … we discover that Vincent
spoke about service and dedication
to the poor as a lifestyle that brings
happiness to those who are engaged
in such a mission.
EASTER JOY AND THE VINCENTIAN CHARISM ・ A TIME TO UNDERSTAND

6. For example, in April 1656, Vincent wrote to a
Missionary who had recently made vows and stated:
“how happy are they who give themselves
unreservedly to him to do the works that Jesus Christ
did and to practice the virtues that he practiced, such
as poverty, obedience, humility, patience, zeal and
the rest” (CCD:V:585). On October 29th, 1638
Vincent reminded the Missionaries that they must
neither seek nor expect rest, satisfaction and
blessings anywhere else but in the Congregation of
the Mission, since that’s the only place God wants
and desires them to be (CCD:XI:98). The same
message was spoken to the priests who gave retreats
to the ordinands, that is, he offered them advice and
encouraged them to live their lives in such a manner
that their witness in turn would motivate those who
were about to be ordained: “if possible you should
blend the three colors of modesty, cheerfulness and
gentleness” (CCD:XI:145).
EASTER JOY AND THE VINCENTIAN CHARISM ・ A TIME TO UNDERSTAND

7. Four centuries later, as we reflect anew
on Vincent’s charismatic insight, we are
invited to be very careful about
interpreting the following of Jesus
Christ, evangelizing of the poor, as a
praise of the cross and suffering or as a
praise of the misery of those persons
who are poor. We must also not assume
that our spirituality is focused on
sacrifice and mortification and great
works that can be performed be
individuals in some heroic
manner. Indeed, we must be careful
about interpreting our spirituality from
a perspective of the cross that neglects
the reality of the resurrection as an
event that fills the community with life
and newness.
EASTER JOY AND THE VINCENTIAN CHARISM ・ A TIME TO UNDERSTAND

8. When we are not careful in this regard, then, as
Pope Francis says, “our interior life becomes
caught up in its own interests and concerns …
there is no longer room for others, no place for
the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard; the
quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the
desire to do good fades … this is not God’s will
for us nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its
source in the heart of the risen Christ” (EG, #2).
As Vincent de Paul stated to the Daughters of
Charity, our lot, our Vincentian vocation
consists of a participation in the very joy of
God: “God’s pleasure, his joy, his satisfaction,
so to speak, is to be with the humble and the
simple who are conscious of their lowliness.
What a great incentive for hope and
consolation for us!” (CCD:IX:309).
EASTER JOY AND THE VINCENTIAN CHARISM ・ A TIME TO UNDERSTAND

9. A TIME TO
CONTEMPLATE
Jubilee Year on the
Occasion of the
400th Anniversary of
the Vincentian Charism

10. We suggest that the various Vincentian groups can
reflect and dialogue together by putting some
form of light or a candle in their midst, thus
reminding the participants of the Easter
light. Around the light or the candle the following
words can be written in large letters so that
everyone might see them. The participants will
reflect on those words:
JOY, HAPPINESS, DEATH, SADNESS,
FRUSTRATION, RESURRECTION
It is important to provide silence so that
participants can reflect on the following questions:
what image comes to mind as I reflect on this
word (one of the six words above); what memory
is stirred up as I reflect on this word? After some
time of silence, it would be good to share one’s
thoughts with the others who have gathered
together to participate in this sharing.
EASTER JOY AND THE VINCENTIAN CHARISM ・ A TIME TO CONTEMPLATE

11. A TIME TO
MEDITATE
Jubilee Year on the
Occasion of the
400th Anniversary of
the Vincentian Charism

12. For this month of April we propose
that the group respond to the
following question: how, in our family,
in our Vincentian group, in the larger
community, do we communicate the
joy, the newness and the message of
the risen Christ?
EASTER JOY AND THE VINCENTIAN CHARISM ・ A TIME TO MEDITATE

13. A TIME TO
COMMIT
Jubilee Year on the
Occasion of the
400th Anniversary of
the Vincentian Charism

14. The Easter event gives meaning to all
the various Vincentian works
throughout the world. As Saint Paul
says: if Christ has not risen, then our
preaching is in vain. Therefore, our
commitment should help us to give
greater witness to the risen Christ.
More specifically, let us consider
accepting some new responsibility
during this Easter Season. Let us be,
for those persons who are poor, an
image of the Risen Lord who shares
with all people the gifts of joy and
hope and who offers them the
opportunity to begin anew.
EASTER JOY AND THE VINCENTIAN CHARISM ・ A TIME TO COMMIT

15. by Rolando Gutiérrez, CM Vice-Province of Costa Rica
Translated: Charles T. Plock, CM Eastern Province, USA
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