What does it mean to be Vincentian?

“What Must Be Done?“

Every newsletter or motto of St. John’s University says that we are a Vincentian university. We must complete ASL hours to honor our Vincentian values. Where does the word Vincentian derive from and what does it mean for the St. John’s community?

The first answer is actually a question said to have been given to St. Vincent de Paul by God. What must be done? This is a call to charity through collaboration. St. Vincent de Paul worked with Louise de Marillac to form the Charity of the Mission, Ladies of Charity, and Daughters of Charity to bring faith into the lives of the forgotten.

St. Vincent de Paul also spoke of divine providence. Our role in life is to do God’s will and his will is revealed to us through events in our lives. As Fr. Maloney explained, providence is looking beyond these events to see the true meaning, but also with patience. For St. Vincent de Paul, conversion was a lifelong process. He provided 5 virtues of the missionary, but Fr. Maloney has translated them to fit modern value representation. These are my explanations of applying them to our daily lives. For the virtue of simplicity, it is the value of honesty. As Vincentians, we are called to be honest in our service and help others for the right reasons. Not just to get the ASL hours. The virtue of humility is the value of being reasonable. I understood this as not taking advantage of others in school and in work. The virtue of gentleness is translated as the value of being approachable. Always be willing to lend a helping hand and make that known! Offer help so others know that you are there for them. The virtue of mortification is translated as the value of being self-disciplined. Take pride in your words and actions and take responsibility for your faults. Lastly, the virtue of zeal translates to the value of being hard-working. Cheaters new win, and winners never cheat. Patience and laziness are not to be confused with one another.

One of the highlights of St. Vincent de Paul’s mission that really speaks to me is forming relationships with people of all religions based on service. That we must all work together to serve those who need it the most. As stated in our university mission, we are working for global harmony in which people can be filled with the spirit of compassion. Fr. Maloney said that St. Vincent de Paul’s image of Christ was that of the Evangelizer and the Servant of the Poor. He calls us to do the same. “Love of Christ, and love of the poor were one.” To be Vincentian is to seek service in different, maybe unconventional ways. The Ladies of Charity consoled those in hospice hospitals and told them to repent. The Daughters of Charity served the poor and sick in the street. To be Vincentian is to see Christ in every person and serve from the compassionate heart. Through service, we can learn about ourselves and others. Throughout our entire lives, we should keep our eyes and hearts open to witness the changes that need to be made in the world.