V
Vytis
Guest
Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Vincent de Paul.
I had two instances of meeting Saint Vincent as a young man. The first was in the sixties attending Saint Pancras School in Queens, New York, where I heard a Vincentian priest tell us their works spreading the Word among the least among God’s flock. I was inspired to become a Vincentian missionary and followed up with a letter asking about vocations with the order but I never followed through. The second connection was attending Saint John’s University in New York, a college founded by the Saint Vincent de Paul order.
Unfortunately, I did not appreciate the contributions of Saint Vincent at the time and how he would later influenced my life. He is remembered for his work serving the poor earning the title as “Apostle” for service to them. I regret that when I attended Saint John’s, the works of Saint Vincent were encouraged as they are today. The only reference to Saint Vincent I can recall attending the college was the science building, Saint Vincent Hall, was named for him and that the building has a superb cafeteria. Today the University has gone back to Vincent for a basis of scholarship and service.
While, I have no regrets following my call as a young man as I pursued another vocation, I have come to realize that he was an unrecognized inspiration for me when I returned to the church. I have come to appreciate how he has found joy serving the poor and I hope to continue to emulate his works. This humble servant of Christ continually reminds me that the least among us is the greatest.
“He who has compassion on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his good deed.”
– Proverbs 19, 17
I had two instances of meeting Saint Vincent as a young man. The first was in the sixties attending Saint Pancras School in Queens, New York, where I heard a Vincentian priest tell us their works spreading the Word among the least among God’s flock. I was inspired to become a Vincentian missionary and followed up with a letter asking about vocations with the order but I never followed through. The second connection was attending Saint John’s University in New York, a college founded by the Saint Vincent de Paul order.
Unfortunately, I did not appreciate the contributions of Saint Vincent at the time and how he would later influenced my life. He is remembered for his work serving the poor earning the title as “Apostle” for service to them. I regret that when I attended Saint John’s, the works of Saint Vincent were encouraged as they are today. The only reference to Saint Vincent I can recall attending the college was the science building, Saint Vincent Hall, was named for him and that the building has a superb cafeteria. Today the University has gone back to Vincent for a basis of scholarship and service.
While, I have no regrets following my call as a young man as I pursued another vocation, I have come to realize that he was an unrecognized inspiration for me when I returned to the church. I have come to appreciate how he has found joy serving the poor and I hope to continue to emulate his works. This humble servant of Christ continually reminds me that the least among us is the greatest.
“He who has compassion on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his good deed.”
– Proverbs 19, 17