Vincentian Elements

Elements of a Vincentian Family group (formulated by the National Vincentian Family Formation Committee of the US):

The Vincentian way of life is incarnational. It calls members to:

• A personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the source and model of all charity.
• Put on the mind and heart of Jesus Christ and proclaim the reign of God.
• Be available to go to the most vulnerable and to recognize the places of the marginalized as HOLY PLACES.
• Evangelize and be evangelized by those who live in poverty.
• See Jesus Christ crucified in all who suffer.
• A sense of community that supports us in our faith and service.
• Be rooted in the Gospel especially as it is proclaimed in Luke 4:1, 6-21;
  Luke 9:1-6; Luke 10: 25-37; Matthew 25: 31-40.
• Trust in Providence.
• Be impelled by the love of Jesus Christ in all our relationships.
• Love affectively and effectively with compassion, respect and devotion.
• Serve in a spirit of humility, simplicity, and charity.
• Challenge, in the spirit of Catholic Social Teachings, social systems that oppress those living in poverty through advocacy efforts.
• Follow Mary as the model of discipleship and model of Vincentian spirituality.

The “See, Judge, Act” Process

The “See, Judge, Act” Process

It is a simple method which helps us to stop, stand back from a situation and reflect on it before we jump in and take action. The process helps us to develop critical judgement about situations, events and structures. Often the three stages overlap and intermingle. Click on each word to learn more.

See

1. What is happening?
2. Who are the people involved?
3. Who gains from this situation? Who loses?
4. What is the situation doing to people?
5. Why is it happening? Why does it continue?

Judge

1. How do you feel about this situation?
2. Have you ever behaved or acted like
anyone in the situation? If so, what happened? Why?
How did you and/or those involved feel?
3. What do you think should be happening?
4. What does your faith say about it?
5. What does our Vincentian Tradition say about it?

Act

1. What can we do to bridge the gap
between what is happening (the reality) and what
should be happening (the ideal/what our faith says)?
2. What action are we going to take?
3. Who can we involve in our action?

For further study, try these links:

• The Pastoral Cycle
• SEE – JUDGE – ACT – EVALUATE – CELEBRATE
• The Methodology of Observe—Judge—Act

Fr. Gregory Gay – Worldwide Vincentian Family Presentation

Presentation by Superior General G. Gregory Gay, CM given at Niagara University, April 2010. Personal photos and narrative describing his world travels and encounters with a wide variety of Vincentian Groups over the past few years.

Original Version

Fr. Gregory Gay, CM Vincentian Family 2010 from M on on Vimeo.

Lower Bandwidth Version (for slow internet connections or if you are having any trouble with the version above)

Fr. Gregory Gay Vincentian Family 2010 at Niagara U. from M on on Vimeo.