In the communion of saints, many and varied spiritualities have been developed
throughout the history of the churches. 
The personal charism of some witnesses to God’s love for men has been handed on,
like “the spirit” of Elijah to Elisha and John the Baptist,
so that their followers may have a share in this spirit….
The different schools of Christian spirituality share in the living tradition of prayer
and are essential guidelines for the faithful. 
In their rich diversity they are reflections of the one pure light of the Holy Spirit.
CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH,  2684

What a blessing it is to be a member of the Church and, especially a Vincentian member!  We enter November, the month of special remembrance of all the saints, those who are recognized officially by the Church and many more who are not.  I have always thought of saints as ordinary, special people.  If that sounds like an oxymoron, it is.  Reading about saints, especially those within our Vincentian family, it seems that most were pretty much like you and me, at least until they were given an extra dose of God’s grace.

When we repeat the words:  ‘I believe in the communion of the saints’ we affirm that we are in communion with each other here on earth and with all who have gone before us.  I can ask my friends in heaven to pray for me the same way I would ask my friends here on earth to pray for me.  That connection with good and holy friends who I believe are now with God has given me strength in difficult times in the past.  When I ask for their intercession I am sure that they are listening from beyond this world just as though they were sitting in my kitchen, drinking coffee and listening to my problems. 

Being Vincentian is just icing on the cake.  Not only do we have a Vincentian family in our conferences, we also have those Vincentian saints who inspire us and whose intercession we can ask for.  Our Vincentian Spirituality, developed from the prayers and actions of our founders is still alive and growing today and it nourishes us.  We share the spirituality of Blessed Frederic and St. Vincent, of Blessed Rosalie and St. Louise.  We also share the spirituality of so many men and women who came before us and who served Christ in His poor, with love, respect, justice and joy.  They are our guides; we seek to follow their example.  Their spirituality is to me what the Cathechism says “…reflections of the one pure light of the Holy Spirit.’

Our vocation is not an easy one.  I believe that we can do what we need to do because we ask all things through the intercession of our friends who have gone before us. 

Saint Vincent de Paul, pray for us.
Saint Louise de Marillac, pray for us.
Blessed Frederic Osanam, pray for us.
Blessed Rosalie Rendu, pray for us.
All holy men and women of our Society, pray for us.

Denise Bondy, Chair
ONRC Spirituality Committee