We could talk endlessly about the Vincentian virtues, such as humility, simplicity, meekness, mortification and missionary zeal. Being fundamental pillars of Vincentian spirituality, designed by St. Vincent to foster a life of service and love of neighbour, especially towards the most needy, we will always find new nuances and dimensions in them. Today, in the context of the Jubilee year[1] , reflecting on the Vincentian virtues as a path to hope is especially relevant. In fact, these virtues are intrinsically linked to the theological virtue of hope. Consciously practising them is a way to cultivate and strengthen our faith in God, the true God, the God of Jesus Christ[2] . As we ask ourselves how the Vincentian virtues can help us to overcome the challenges of today’s world, we invite readers to deepen their knowledge and find in them a source of hope and encouragement. May this reflection be a starting point for exploring the spiritual richness of the Vincentian legacy and its profound relevance for our Christian life.
Throughout history, it has been proven that virtue-driven actions and constant effort have led many men and women to find hope. These actions have promoted both individual and collective well-being, always seeking harmony and balance in human relationships. The virtues proposed by St. Vincent de Paul were designed to foster a life of service and love for others, especially for those most in need. Serving the poorest has always been a source of fulfilment and hope. The Vincentian virtues not only guide us towards a life of service and love, but also help us to discover a lasting and meaningful hope. Therefore, we can affirm that the Vincentian virtues and hope are closely related. There can be no true hope without the practice of these virtues.
It is true that the Vincentian virtues have been subject to various criticisms. Some argue that they present an unattainable human ideal that is decontextualised from current realities. Their apparent passivity in the face of social and political injustices is also questioned, suggesting that they are incapable of transforming the world. Other critics see them as a way of evading real-world problems, a kind of illusion that lacks a practical basis.
However, these criticisms can generate a rich theological and philosophical debate. Rather than being destructive, they can serve as an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the Vincentian virtues and enrich our hope. By analysing these criticisms, we can reflect on how these virtues can be adapted to the challenges of the modern world and how they can inspire us to more committed and transformative action.
Now, let us see how the Vincentian virtues can be a path to hope. Without a doubt, we can affirm that these virtues are the foundation of Christian hope. The Vincentian virtues are primarily aimed at helping their followers to recognise their own limitations and to trust fully in Divine Providence. By recognising this dependence on God, hope in His promise of salvation is strengthened.
Moreover, by freeing us from the shackles of materialism, the Vincentian virtues enable us to focus on what is essential: our relationship with God and with others. Simplicity, fostered by these virtues, fosters an attitude of trust and hope for the future. It allows us to appreciate the small details of life and to cultivate a deep gratitude. In short, the Vincentian virtues, when lived authentically, strengthen our hope and help us to face challenges with greater certainty.
In following the thought and services of St. Vincent de Paul, we discover that his true hope was certainly linked to union with Christ and the practice of the Christian virtues. It was this union with Christ and the practice of the Christian virtues that oriented and directed his actions towards the good. St. Vincent de Paul understood very well that virtue must help man to keep hope alive for a better world, making his life a light of hope. The Vincentian virtues are meant to provide us with tools to strengthen our own hope.
The Vincentian virtues become a path to hope by being a transforming force in our lives and in the world. By living these virtues, we can be “pilgrims of hope“, witnesses of God’s mercy and contribute to the building of a more just and supportive world. In reality, those who do not know Jesus Christ, evangeliser of the poor, even if they have many hopes, are basically without hope, without the great hope that sustains the whole of life (cf. Eph 2,12). St. Vincent de Paul, through his legacy, wanted to transmit this hope, which made him capable of participating resolutely and with all his strength in the service of the poor. Thanks to his hope, Vincent de Paul dedicated himself to the simple people and acted in a humble, meek and mortified way towards the least.
The Vincentian virtues, then, teach us that we need to have hopes that keep us going day by day. But without the great hope, that which must surpass all else, they are not enough. This great hope can only be God, who embraces the universe and can propose and give us what we alone cannot achieve. God is the foundation of hope; but not just any God, but the God who has a human face and who has loved us to the end, each one of us in particular and humanity as a whole. His kingdom is not an imaginary beyond, situated in a future that never comes; his kingdom is present where he is loved and where his love reaches us .[3]
In conclusion, the Vincentian virtues provide us with the necessary tools to walk towards hope. By practising these virtues, we become pilgrims and bearers of hope that liberate us from anxiety and despair.
By Jean Rolex, C.M.
[1] Francis (2025) Spes non confundit. Bull for the convocation of the Jubilee Year 2025. Retrieved from https://www.vatican.va/.
[2] Benedict XVI (2007). Encyclical Letter “Spe Salvi” on Christian hope. Retrieved from https://www.vatican.va/.
[3] Ibid,
