Still a teenager, he left the poverty of his youth from a small peasant farm and entered the seminary in the hopes of having a better life. One day during his studies, his father came to visit him. When he saw the ragged clothes that his father wore, he was ashamed, and refused to meet with him. He would go on to be ordained a priest at nineteen years old.

For the next ten years, he appeared to have reached his goal of leaving a life of poverty in the past. He used his intelligence and way with people to gain access to wealthier patrons and became a tutor for the children of the rich. By his own admission, this young priest had a short fuse and was very impatient.

Then one day, he was called to hear the confession of a servant of one of the richest families in Paris. His heart was moved with compassion when he experienced this man’s faith and heard his confession. No longer did he live a life of comfort, luxury, and ministering to the rich but became a servant of the poor. Vincent de Paul’s heart found the same rhythm of the heartbeat of Jesus as we heard in today’s Gospel:

“At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36).

As we celebrate the feast day of St. Vincent de Paul, let us follow his example of being willing to be transformed by the love of Jesus. In allowing our minds and hearts to receive the love of Jesus our souls will be set free to expand and share the love we have received from him. May our hearts become like a prism so that as we receive the light and love of Christ, we may reflect it in our own unique ways to others radiating out like a beautiful rainbow of compassion in action.

There has never been before nor will there ever be again, another you. Each of us are here at this time and this place having experienced our own challenges and traumas, as well as our victories, healings, and blessings, so that we can allow our hearts to be moved with compassion to be there for another and allow God to happen through us. Don’t believe the enemy who says there is nothing we can do. We do not need to do big things as Mother Teresa taught, but let us today do something for someone with great love. Let us begin there.

St. Vincent De Paul – Pray for us!

Photo: Statue of St. Vincent De Paul with rainbow overhead from the first day I moved back into St. Vincent De Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach, FL.

Link for the Mass readings for Wednesday, September 27, 2023.