Spiritual Reflection

Today is the feast day of St. Louis and the city has great meaning for followers of St. Vincent DePaul.  It is the home of one of the administrative offices of the Vincentian Fathers and Brothers and the home of one of the administrative offices of the Daughters of Charity.  St. Vincent was involved in the founding of both.  St. Louis is an appropriate home as the city is named in honor of Louis IX who became King of France.

He had an active love for the poor and I’m sure that contributed to his becoming a saint.  But as we celebrate in honor of St. Louis, I’m thinking of St. Vincent DePaul today as I remember another organization founded by St. Vincent.  As a matter of fact, it was the first group he gathered to care for the poor.  This outstanding group is called the Ladies of Charity and this international organization is conducting their annual convention this coming Friday and Saturday.  Please remember them in your prayers this weekend.  Maybe your refection could be the theme of their convention: “Following St. Vincent with Humility, Simplicity and Charity.”