On January 25th, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul.  A remembrance of the fact that Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, was first a persecutor of the Church but in rather dramatic fashion, as this Feast recalls, went from persecutor to Apostle.

On January 25th. the Little Company in its quiet way celebrates the Foundation of the Congregation by

St. Vincent.  Unlike the conversion of St. Paul, there was little drama in the conversion that happened in Vincent’s life in Folleville that cold day.  The confession of a dying man made it vibrantly clear to Vincent what he must do with his life.  And so as Vincent’s eyes were opened to the needs of the country poor, to those in need of missionaries, to share the Good News and the Sacraments of the Church, so began his mission for the next 40 years of his life, bringing the Good News to the Poor.

As we celebrate this Foundation Day, we do so in gratitude for the mission all members of the Vincentian Family share in, service to the poor.  We are grateful that the vision of St. Vincent continues to be lived out to those in need of Jesus’ promise of hope and love.  How happy he would be to know that what God shared with him that day has continued for so many generations.

Evangelizare Pauperibus misit me.