Inspiration and Innovation: Living Our Vincentian Charism in Today’s World
“What the world needs now is love, sweet love — it’s the only thing that there’s just too little of…” This 1965 hit from Jackie DeShannon sums up the world’s deep need for Vincentian love — now more than ever.
Where did I get the inspiration to start with a song? From Tim Williams, our amazing Senior Director of Formation and Leadership Development!
At the recent Northeast Regional Meeting, he gave a phenomenal workshop on the Vincentian virtues that I was blessed to attend. For those in the audience, it didn’t matter if you were a 35 year Vincentian like me or just starting out, it really hit home. Just ask our beloved Ray Sickinger, Vincentian leader for decades — we both agreed it was music to our ears!
Tim used the old Mac Davis song “It’s Hard to Be Humble” to describe how we should not live the Vincentian virtue of humility. He did a magnificent job of covering each of our essential virtues : Simplicity · Humility · Gentleness · Selflessness · Zeal.
I was blessed to speak on the priceless Vincentian wisdom of bringing love to those most in need.
To do that, I talked about our precious Home Visits – those moments when we knock on Christ’s door. What a priceless encounter it is to enter Christ’s home — the homes of our neighbors in need. And I spoke about when Christ knocks on our doors — at thrift stores, dining rooms, community pharmacies- desperately seeking our help.
I love attending these regional meetings because I meet phenomenal Vincentians like Dana from the Archdiocese of Boston. He shared how much he treasures these visits. But Dana recently had a powerful and unexpected encounter in Phoenix during our National Assembly.
Dana stepped outside for a walk and came across a man lying in the hot sun, experiencing homelessness. He could have walked past. Instead, his Vincentian heart stirred. He started a conversation. It was not just a “hello.” It became, in Dana’s words, “a Christ-filled moment.” Dana invited the man to have lunch with him, and the man smiled and said yes. They shared a meal outside at a nearby restaurant.
Dana had come to Phoenix looking forward to workshops like those given by Tim Williams and others. Christ gave him one on the street that touched his heart in a way that words cannot describe.
So, what inspires you as a Vincentian? For me, it’s encounters like Dana’s. That is the power of inspiration and our Vincentian charism — it is what propels us to seek out the forgotten and bring them love. What I have learned in my regional visits, what I treasure in my heart, is that across the country, 90,000 Vincentians are using their God-given gifts to bring Christ’s love to those most in need.
Think of the countless priceless encounters you have had – not only with our neighbors in need, but also with your fellow Vincentians, that encounter of friendship and how that inspires you!
So, I ask again — what inspires you to innovate?
I will leave you with those beautiful Jackie DeShannon lyrics: “What the world needs now is love, sweet love, no, not just for some, but for everyone.”
Thank you for turning Vincentian inspiration into action across our nation. As I board a plane for my next regional meeting, I can’t wait to see more of our Vincentian love in action.
Best wishes in Christ, Michael J. Acaldo
