The best guides walk with those they are forming, at times quickening the pace, at times slowing it down, at times pausing for rest.

- Robert P. Maloney, CM

The advisor is a servant but is also a disciple. For this reason the advisor must not place him/herself within a group as the supreme source of all wisdom. The advisor has things to learn as well. Though the advisor may be a vowed religious person, they will still find, within a lay Vincentian institution, many members who, by their example and often by their words, give the advisor beautiful lessons on what it means to be Christian and have a Vincentian spirit. The advisor, who is servant and disciple, must be ready to learn from the group with true humility.

-Rev. J. Corera, Session for Advisors of the Vincentian Family, Paris, 2002

Louise de Marillac listened to her sisters. In her life we read: “She won their hearts by her gentleness and affability, and gave them liberty to speak to her without ever letting it be seen that they were troubling her, even when she had to leave her prayers or her other occupations.” When several girls came to speak to her at the same time on different subjects, she answered each one calmly and with evenness of disposition. Although it was sometimes very inconvenient for her, she never said anything, which might suggest they should leave her in peace.

-Elizabeth Charpy DC, Session for Advisors of Vincentian Family, Paris, 2002

“Listen to me…pay attention, come to me. Listen and your soul shall live.” Is 55:2-3

What challenges me in the writings above?

What commitments do I wish to make?

The theory goes something like this: 

• You serve the poor, then you do something to build up your heart.
• You serve the poor, then you go back and read scripture and realize, perhaps for the first time, how much of scripture is about the poor.
• You serve the poor, then you start to learn about the services that are available from various governmental and charitable agencies, and you learn how to work the system to help the poor.
• You serve the poor, and then you read Vincent’s or Louise’s or Elizabeth Ann’s letters to let them strengthen your inner self and teach you something you weren’t ready to hear before you had actually met the poor.
• You serve the poor, and then you spend time reflecting with others who serve the poor to learn from them and to support one another. You serve the poor, and then you pray, and read the writings of the spiritual masters, and perhaps begin to meet with a spiritual director.
• You serve the poor, and then you begin to ask why it has to be this way, and then begin to read sociology, economics, social work, psychology, substance abuse, history, politics, government, housing, nutrition, health, management, spirituality, and so much more.

The “It’s Not Over ‘Til It’s Over” Theory insists that we keep learning along the way. The “It’s Not Over ‘Til It’s Over” Theory insists that there’s always more to learn, there’s always room to grow as a human being, there’s always a gap between God and ourselves than can be made closer, there’s always more we can understand that will help us help the poor. This doesn’t have to be steady. There are other important things in life too. It can come and go in waves, but formation isn’t something that’s meant to be front-loaded at the beginning, once for all time. It’s not over ’til it’s over.

Imagine the blade of grass that manages through sheer determination to penetrate the asphalt surface above and find the light of day. There is such a deep yearning for life that makes this quest its sole purpose, even in the face of insurmountable odds. Can I draw a parallel to this blade of grass with the parable of the Pearl of Great Price (see Matthew 13:45-46)? Do I view the Vincentian charism as granting me such simplicity and freedom, so that everything else in my life is oriented with this one goal in mind?

Prayerfully read one of the accounts of Jesus’ passion and death. Reflect especially on those instances when He freely loved others despite the torments and great sufferings.

“We believe, and because we believe we see. In faith what we see leads not just to fear or revulsion, anger or pity; in faith what we see leads us to love.  As we have been loved and called, so do we love.  As we love the crucified Lord, whose life is poured out for us, so do we love our brothers and sisters in whom we see that Lord, and so de we serve.”  -James Cormack, C.M., “Reflections on Service to the Poor” in Vincentian Heritage, Vol. 13, No. 2 (1992), 156.

Who has helped you to see this path toward inner freedom? Give heartfelt thanks to God for these persons.

See 1 John 4:16-21. How has the love of God in your life helped remove fears that might otherwise paralyze your ability to respond in love?

Am I inclined to regard the suffering(s) I endure as an excuse for not loving to the full extent that I could?  Do I regard myself as a victim, and so am more focused upon what others might do for me than what I can do for others, particularly the poor?  Let the motto of the Daughters of Charity speak to your heart: ”The charity of Christ impels us!” …