Vincentian Friendship – A Priceless Gift
Photo: A picture of Vincentian Friendship! From left to right, Rosie Martina, long-time Vincentian, Denise Terrance, SVDP Baton Rouge Director of Food Services, and Michael Acaldo pose for a quick photo in September of 2024 at the SVDP Charitable Campus in Baton Rouge.
Through 36 years of my Vincentian journey, I have experienced the ups and downs of being a part of our phenomenal family. Like any family, the loss of a loved one is especially painful.
This week I got a call from Baton Rouge letting me know that a dear Vincentian friend had passed away. Rosario “Rosie” Martina, a long-time Vincentian, went to his rest in heaven at 101 years old this past Tuesday. Rosie was an incredible person who lived our Vincentian Virtues in everything he did. Yes, he was still active at 101 years old.
Decades ago, he was a founder of the Conference in his parish. The parish did not have room for a food pantry for the Conference, so he turned his garage into one with needed refrigeration and freezer space.
In 1982, Rosie and the Council of Baton Rouge embarked on a mission of opening the city’s first Dining Room/Kitchen to serve a hot meal every day of the year. It opened in a small shotgun house that a generous person donated, and initially the Council served anywhere from 20 to 50 meals a day.
Before long they were able to build a new SVDP Dining Room in 1984. And when I say build – they did not have a lot of money in those days – so Rosie and Vincentians grabbed some hammers and got to work! A contractor donated his services, and a new dawn of the Society began to emerge from the inspirational work of Vincentians committed to serve their neighbors in need.
Rosie was a World War II veteran who had a work ethic like no other. He fought in Europe for freedom, and he brought that fight to defeating hunger in Baton Rouge. He started a group of dining room volunteers to pick up food donations from grocery stores, bakeries, and restaurants. Rosie was so beloved by his Brother and Sister Vincentians that they gave his volunteer group the nickname Rosie’s Army. Today, the SVDP Dining Room serves over 300,000 meals annually, and is a leader in stamping out hunger in Baton Rouge!
Years ago, I attended the funeral of Rosie’s wife Laura. He asked me to speak during the services about her commitment to the Society, and how she made a difference in our community.
After the funeral services, I went and hugged Rosie and again expressed my deepest condolences on the loss of his wife of 71 years. And he said, “I will see you tonight at our main shelter for men.” I asked, “You are going to serve tonight?” and he smiled and said, “That’s what Laura would want me to do!”
I was not scheduled to be there, but I changed my plans that Saturday night and went to check on him while he served a meal with a group of his fellow Vincentians. Rosie saw Christ in each man he served that night, and they saw Christ’s love through Rosie and his fellow Vincentians. I told Rosie thank you for all he and Laura had done over the years for those most in need. Most importantly, I thanked him for being such an inspiration to me!
Whether it is a neighbor in need or a fellow Vincentian, who inspires you? How are you using that inspiration to do more for Christ?
To find and serve Christ, we simply must follow His direction in Matthew 25, to seek out the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, and the ill. We are all called to live our Vincentian Charism by spreading Christ’s love throughout the world!
Best wishes in Christ, Michael J. Acaldo
Michael, thank you so much for sharing. Obviously, Rosie was an amazing person. May I re-emphasize your last statement for all. Amazing spiritual growth comes when we SEEK OUT the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, and the ill. Let’s not wait for people to come to us, let’s GO to them!