Gentlemen, I have not the honor to be a theologian, but I have the happiness to be a Christian; the happiness to believe and the ambition to devote my mind, my heart, and all my strength to the service of truth. (Bl. Frederic Ozanam)Frederic Ozanam? But he's not a Daughter of Charity or a Vincentian priest! You would be correct, but Frederic Ozanam is just as much as a Vincentian as the rest of them. He was the founder of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, an organization that is probably active even in your own parish. He was a friend of Daughter of Charity Blessed Rosalie Rendu and considered her to be his mentor. He faithfully served the poor of Paris, inspired by question of a college classmate "Christianity is dead. So, you boast about being Catholic, what are you doing? Where are the works which demonstrate your Faith?" and founded the Society as a way to ask others to do the same.
He is a great example to all Vincentians, lay or not. He was beatified in 1997 and continues on the road to be formally recognized as a saint.
No comments:
Post a Comment