Today we commemorate St Vincent de Paul, a saint famed for his early seventeenth work as a missionary and for his works for the poor.
Many continue to support his work today through the Society of St Vincent de Paul, a charity that is "dedicated to tackling poverty and disadvantage by providing direct practical assistance to anyone in need." You can read about the activities of the St James's Conference of the Society of St Vincent de Paul on this webpage. At St James's, there is also a good number of people who are active in the Order of Malta.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that "God blesses those who come to the aid of the poor and rebukes those who turn away from them", and that, of the Corporal Works of Mercy, "Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God."
Might today be a good opportunity to consider a donation of time or money to a charity such as the Society of St Vincent de Paul?
St Vincent de Paul was also involved in what we know was equally important work in mission to the poor. This well known extract from the Messiah contains text from the Epistle to the Romans that is very suitable for one such as he :
"How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things."
Saint Vincent de Paul, pray for us.
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