My One on One with a Vincentian: Seeing the Face of Christ in the Poor

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded by a college student, Frederic Ozanam, and six of his companions, who were challenged in a university setting which was openly hostile to Christianity and Catholics. “What has Christianity to offer? Where are its works now? Show us your works!” This was the attitude common in post-revolutionary Paris in 1833. And so Frederic, his companions and their mentor, Emmanuel Bailly, formally organized themselves to help the poor on a regular basis, both to serve those in need and to witness by their lives to others about living the Christian faith. They chose Vincent de Paul as their patron, a priest devoted to helping the poor 200 years earlier. He is known today as the Great Apostle of Charity.

The Conference of Charity of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was born on April 23, 1833. Bailly sent Frederic and his companions to Sister Rosalie Rendu, a Daughter of Charity, to be tutored in serving the poor. She was familiar with the families and the hardships they suffered, having served many years in the worst slums and tenements in Paris. She prepared Frederic and his companions to be rebuffed, hated and looked upon with suspicion as they began their mission. “If we had been through the hardships they have had to meet, if our childhood had been one of constant want, perhaps, we too, would have given way to envy and hatred, as I must admit, have many of the poor in this quarter. But, be kind and love, for love is your first gift to the poor. They will appreciate your kindness and your love more that all else you can bring them.” (taken from “Serving in Hope” guide to Vincentian vocation and formation training module 1)

I had an opportunity to have a conversation with Patricia Schoenemann, the vice president of the Saint Vincent de Paul society conference of Bryan/College Station, about what Vincentian spirituality means, and what the Saint Vincent de Paul society does in our community.

Thanksgiving Food Drive Information for Bryan/College Station:

The St. Vincent de Paul Society is providing 200 disadvantaged families with bags of
groceries to help them during this holiday. How can you help? All of the food needs to
be provided by food drives at our local parishes! So you can help by bringing nonperishable food items to the church from November 1st – 15th.
HERE IS WHAT IS NEEDED:
15 oz. cans of corn, green beans, & any other vegetables, also pumpkin & fruit; 29 oz.cans of sweet potatoes; 1 lb. bags of pinto beans & rice; 13-15 oz. box potato flakes; 12 oz. bag egg noodles; 7.25 oz. boxes of Mac & Cheese; 6 oz. box stuffing mix, 8 oz. cornbread pouches; small envelopes of dry gravy mix; any boxed dessert mix (with a can of frosting). You can also help by making a monetary donation to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, so that we can provide a grocery gift card for each family which enables the family to buy perishables like turkey, fruit, bread and eggs. Please mail your donation directly to St. Vincent de Paul of Bryan-College Station, 300 N. Main St., Bryan, TX 77803. Finally, you can also help by volunteering to sort food, bag it and/or deliver the groceries on November 15th and 16th. Please contact Lisa Hubacek at 979-229-0083 or Lisa.Hubacek@courts.state.tx.us to sign up and volunteer.

Please consider discerning if God is calling you to a more active role in recognizing the face of Christ in the Poor and to live out that call more deeply. Together we are the hands and feet of Jesus on earth!

If you would like to get involved with the Saint Vincent de Paul society in the Bryan/College Station area, visit here to find meeting times and sign up form.

Shawn Chapman says

November 7, 2013 at 1:17 AM

Thanks, Julia! I never knew all this. I enjoyed reading about it and also it’s handy information to have. 🙂 I like that you asked what it means spiritually to be part of this community and ministry. That was the best part. Thanks for the inspiration to “fall in love with the poor.”

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