Serving the poor is to be our first preference

Today, September 27, as our Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, we are invited to first read and reflect on a passage from the first letter of the apostle Paul to the Corinthians (12: 31—13: 13) entitled "The primacy of charity". Our treasure, which follows, is from a writing by Saint Vincent de Paul, priest. St. Vincent de Paul was born in Gascony in 1581. After completing his studies, he was ordained the priest, and went to Paris where he served in a parish. He founded the Congregation of the Mission to supervise the formation of priests and to give support to the poor. With the help of Saint Louis de Marillac, he also found it the congregation of the Daughters of Charity. Although Saint Vincent de Paul is primarily recognized for his charity and compassion for the poor, he is also known for his reform of the clergy and for his early role in opposing Jansenism. He died at Paris in 1660. Saint Vincent de Paul is the patron saint of charitable societies. In 1833 the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul was founded as an international voluntary organization in the Catholic Church for the sanctification of its members by personal service of the poor. Started by Frédéric Ozanam and Emmanuel Bailly and named after Vincent de Paul, the organization is part of the global Vincentian Family of Catholic organizations. Innumerable Catholic parishes have established "conferences", most of which affiliate with a diocesan council. Among its varied efforts to offer material help to the poor or needy, the Society also has thrift stores which sell donated goods at a low price and raise money for the poor. There are a great variety of outreach programs sponsored by the local conferences and councils, addressing local needs for social services. In his first letter to the Corinthians Paul warns against divisions within the Church and emphasizes the importance of unity among Church members. He warns members against sexual immorality, teaches that the body is a temple for the Holy Spirit, and encourages self-discipline.