Dear Missionaries, Pilgrims of Hope.
Dear Daughters of Charity, Pilgrims of Hope. Your life reminds us that Charity comes from faith and leads to Hope.
A happy coincidence of Jubilees, the general Jubilee, the Jubilee of Hope, and the Jubilee of the CM, clothed in the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the little Company celebrates the 400th anniversary of its Foundation. A foundation of which Saint Vincent himself had not thought, but as a man of faith, Saint Vincent “let himself be thought of by God.”
The first great teaching of this fourth centenary: open to the divine newness, which we will know how to recognize if we walk moved by the hope that does not disappoint.
Second great teaching of this long time: for God there is no hurry. We, who live in a time of haste, are called as a Congregation not to look for immediate goals, because they will not be high or eternal goals.
Third great teaching: if in 400 years the Lord has been with us and has shown us that he loves us, we cannot doubt that he will continue to be at our side on the path that leads to holiness. This Eucharist is also a memorial of God’s faithfulness. The reading from Revelation began: “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show his servants what must happen soon” (Revelation 1:1).
In this Eucharist that we celebrate “eight days” after proclaiming Easter, the Gospel twice refers to the wounds of Jesus that restore Thomas’ faith. These wounds reveal the glorified continuity of Jesus’ human condition that we keep on recognizing in the poor. We, sons and daughters of Saints Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac, touch the wounds of the world with deep respect, to put in them a balm of hope.
Several Vincentian bishops (Paúles, Vicentinos, Lazarists) are here as guests. In this sense, I will not say that every good Vincentian missionary will be a good bishop, but I will say that every good bishop will be so if he is first a good Vincentian missionary. What do we bishops do? What we learned in the Congregation for 400 years: to allow ourselves to be challenged by the poor and their sufferings; to proclaim the Gospel even in the most distant places; to be concerned in a concrete and fraternal way for priests; and, if we also add, to administer our resources well, etc. is that not what our Holy Father Vincent taught us?
“You will not find anything in them [the Common Rules] which you have not been doing for a long time” (CCD XIIIa, 431). Likewise, I intend to propose nothing new to you but the five virtues that have characterized us throughout the world for four centuries: humility, simplicity, gentleness, mortification, zeal for souls. Allow me to remind myself and you of these virtues.
“Without humility, we mustn’t expect to make any progress for ourselves or benefit for the neighbor” (CCD XI, 46). But with humility we can be close to and available for the poor.
“Simplicity, which consists in doing everything for love of God and having no other aim in all our actions but His glory” (CCD XII, 246). Acting with transparency, authenticity, and coherence.
“There are no people more constant and steadfast in doing good than those who are gentle and good-natured” (CCD XI, 54), having learned it from Jesus who is meek and humble of heart (Matthew 11:29).
“The practice of mortification is absolutely necessary … By this means mortification will dispose us to make our meditation well and, reciprocally, meditation will help us to practice mortification well” (CCD XI, 81-82).
“The fifth teaching is zeal, consisting in a pure desire to become pleasing to God and helpful to our neighbor: zeal to spread the kingdom of God and zeal to procure the salvation of our neighbor. Is there anything in the world more perfect? If love of God is a fire, zeal is its flame; if love is a sun, zeal is its ray. Zeal is unconditional in the love of God” (CCD XII, 250).
We thank God that for 400 years and on every continent, we have worked with “our lot,” the poor. With them we have shared our missionary, communal, and prophetic spirituality, so that our “lords and masters” “may believe in Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God, and that believing they may have life through him” (cf., John 20:31).
Thank you for allowing us to be part of this celebration. Happy anniversary to all.
Archbishop Mons. José Vicente Nácher Tatay, CM
