ExplORE group of university students who shared his beliefs. Originally named the Conference of Charity, Ozanam and his companions tended to the physical and spiritual needs of people who were poor, sick, and unemployed. Ozanam’s dedication to justice and social reform led many to join the Conference of Charity. Soon, more than 100 people joined the organization. Ozanam divided the Conference into smaller groups so that it could assist more people. Frederick Ozanam’s legacy, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, actively continues the work of Christian charity begun by Saint Vincent de Paul in France in the 17th century. The Saint Vincent de Paul Society came to the United States in 1845, first ministering to people in St. Louis, Missouri. Today over 800,000 people in 130 countries carry out the work of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.
Like Saint Vincent de Paul, Saint Louise de Marillac, and Blessed Frederick Ozanam, we are called to act with justice by promoting the dignity of human life and caring for the needs of the most vulnerable among us. Jesus himself gave us this mandate in the Gospels. “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him and say, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?” And the king will say to them in reply, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:35–40
Saint Vincent de Paul and Blesse d Frederick Ozan am performed acts of charity for people who were suffering. We, too, are ca lle d to share a messa ge of hope with others by fol low ing Jesus’ exam ple of selfless servi ce.
During the Triduum, as we reflect on Jesus’ suffering, we acknowledge the deep suffering that is experienced by people all over the world. At the same time, we are filled with Easter joy, and we proclaim a message of hope. The Easter season offers us the opportunity to celebrate the promise of an end to suffering, fear, and death itself. We celebrate that Christ is risen and that he will come again. We pray that we will open our hearts so that Christ can work through us to help those in need.
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Jesus Points the Way
SACRED ART
In this painting, we see Saint Vincent de Paul and the Daughters of Charity helping people who are sick with the plague. This painting serves as a reminder that Jesus calls each of us to care unselfishly for the needs of others in whatever ways our gifts allow.
Saint Vincent de Paul, Antoine Ansiaux, oil on canvas, circa 1800. Session 20 > Celebrating Holy Week and Easter
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Session 20 Blm The light Shines in the Darkness Provide each young person Design _______ Editorial _______ with the Session 20 Blackline Master [T-377]. Read aloud the directions and the Scripture passages. Have young people complete the activity at home during the coming week. Encourage young people to let the texts “simmer” in their unconscious for a few days. Say: Choose a passage, contemplate the words, and allow images to arise in your mind’s eye. When an image emerges, you may wish to use it as the basis of your artwork. Encourage young people to dramatize their illustrations with dramatic dark/light contrast. During the next session, ask volunteers to share their work. PDF Signoff: Production _______
SEaSOnal SESSIOnS holy Week and Easter Work with young people through pages 235–242 to learn more about Holy Week and Easter. These special sessions can each take up to one hour to complete.
Invite volunteers to read aloud the section The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. Ask: how did Ozanam believe members of society should operate? (by putting the values of mercy and love into action by performing acts of charity) how did he live out his belief? (by gathering a small group of people who tended to the physical and spiritual needs of people who were poor, sick, and unemployed) how do we know that other people shared Ozanam’s belief? (More than 100 people soon joined his organization.) Point out that there are St. Vincent de Paul Societies in parishes all over the world. Invite volunteers to read aloud the section Jesus Points the Way. Say: This scripture passage is not about strangers and prisoners “somewhere else.” It is about the people who are homeless, sick, and imprisoned right here in our own community. Point out that the word imprisoned does not refer only to people who are in jail. Say: People can be imprisoned in many ways. for example, people can be imprisoned by addictions or mental illnesses. Emphasize that each person we encounter, regardless of his or her circumstance, is a reflection of Christ’s presence among us. Say: When we try to relieve their suffering, we are serving Christ himself.
Sacred art
Read aloud the feature. Invite volunteers to share what they can do to continue the work begun by Vincent and Louise.
3 Close Give young people a moment to reflect silently. Invite them to ask God for the strength to live out the example of Saints Vincent and Louise. Encourage young people to find out more about what your parish does to support a local St. Vincent de Paul Society.
UnIT 4 • Session 20
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