Mass Animation for Feast of St. Vincent de Paul
St Vincent de Paul was born on 24th April 1581 in France. He was the third of five children and his father paid for his seminary education by selling the oxen. His intention for joining the seminary and becoming a priest was so that he could become wealthy and later support his family. He became a priest at a young age and then continued with his studies. In 1617, he formed the group ‘Ladies of Charity’ by organizing some women belonging to his parish. In 1622, he became head of the Congregation of the Missions or Vincentians. Vincent helped reform the clergy and the manner in which they were instructed and prepared for the priesthood. He did this first through the presentation of retreats and later by helping develop a proper seminary system which is followed till this day. His heart has not decayed and his bones are preserved in a wax statue in a church in Paris.
In this Holy Mass let us pray to this good saint asking him to fill us with love for God and for man and to help us reach out to all those in need.
CEL: God of all things, You have made us all in Your image and likeness. You fashioned us in love and willed that we be loving like You. Listen to the prayers we make to You and grant us what we need.
RESP: Lord hear us in Your mercy.
1. For the Pope, bishops, priests and religious that they may live as true witnesses of the Gospel even in the face of ridicule and persecution.
2. For civil leaders that they may focus attention to the upliftment of the poor and marginalized and be careful not to relegate them entirely to the peripheries.
3. For those without the basic amenities of life that they find their sustenance in the Providence of God and in the kindness of their fellowman.
4. For those preparing to become priests and religious that they may take their training seriously and model their lives on Jesus the Good Shepherd.
5. For ourselves that we may learn to value people and treat them with the respect and dignity that is their due.
CEL: Loving Father, You sent Your Son Jesus to show us the way of love and service. You Yourself never shied away from reaching out to those who were lost and forgotten. Change our hearts so that we may reach out to those in need, those who have no one to help them and those who have lost their way. Make us beacons of light so that others may see our lives and know what it means to live a life based on Gospel values.