Just like attending the yearly National AGA

I have heard many Vincentians speak fondly of Pope Francis. Our members comment on his genuine concern for the poor and the marginalized. They speak of how pleased they are that he has translated concern into action. They appreciate that the Holy Father has instituted a simple lifestyle for his papacy. Vincentians see Pope Francis as an example of love for the poor. They are so grateful for his vision of a Church of the poor and for the poor.

This is great! But it is not really anything new. Really??

We know that our founder, Blessed Frederic, was both a liberal and a faithful Catholic lay person. He was received several times by Pope Pius IX who when he was elected in 1846 was a young and liberal pope.

Blessed Frederic wrote this in 1847:

"The Pope, as I see him, is just like the greatest of his predecessors. He is invested with a profound faith in title as Vicar of Jesus Christ and with a profound sense of his unworthiness. He lets his position as a worldly prince fade into the background, for perhaps it had been exaggerated since Julian II and Leo X and helped to arouse much prejudice amongst us and elsewhere. And yet one sees in him, more clearly than ever, the Bishop of Rome, that paternal and selfless authority that no one could abhor and to which it is very difficult not to surrender."

The parallels between Blessed Frederic's time and our own continue to impress me. Our Society changes as it grows and spreads around the world, yet the foundation upon which it was based remains constant. For this reason, I believe that we must always study and treasure our history and our predecessor Vincentians.

One of our traditions is our Annual General Assembly which will be held n June in Hamilton Ontario. Vincentians who have never attended an AGA are missing out on one of the connections that makes us what Blessed Frederic envisioned: a network of charity that encircles the globe. I know we are all very busy with our local concerns. People need us. But we need to come together as family. It's one of our clearly stated values. If you are sitting on the fence about attending, please give this some thought and some prayer time. Come to Hamilton if you are able. Come for a day or for the whole event. The AGA is an event for all Vincentians, not just those who hold office. It is for and about all of us who make up the family that is SSVP and it is a grand way to come together as family!

May God bless our Society and those we serve,

Denise Bondy, Chair of Spirituality Committee
ONRC