 |
|
|
Sr. Kieran Kneaves, from the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, leads the 2013 National Assembly in a retreat reflecting on the life of society founder Frédéric Ozanam. This year’s assembly took place in Madison. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash) |
MADISON — As the 2013 National Assembly of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul entered its third full scheduled day of events, it was a time to look back on how all the society’s works started.
The year 2013 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, founder of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
Retreat on Ozanam’s life
A crowded Grand Ballroom at the Concourse Hotel in Madison, filled with members and volunteers from all across the country, spent part of the morning in a retreat, reflecting on Ozanam’s life.
The retreat was led by Ralph Middlecamp, society executive director for the district council of Madison, and by Sr. Kieran Kneaves, Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul since 1958.
Sister Kieran encouraged everyone to let their “hearts be open” in “quiet reflection.”
She presented reflection questions throughout the retreat as Middlecamp spoke on Ozanam’s life and path to holiness.
A look at his life and words
Along with biographical facts, the retreat was supported with Ozanam’s own words and writings and parts of Pope John Paul II’s apostolic exhortation Christifideles Laici, which addresses the mission and vocation of the laity in the Church and the world. These words were dramatized by a panel, speaking on the roles of Ozanam before his marriage, after his marriage, and in the role of Pope John Paul II.
Just as Ozanam struggled with faith in his early adult years, those gathered were asked to reflect: “On your journey, do you occasionally have doubts or find it difficult to practice your faith?” “How do you get back on track?” “Are there people in your life who help you through these moments?”
Creating the society
To fill a need to assist the poor and the sick, Ozanam, along with other fellow Catholic college students at the Sorbonne in Paris, organized the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in 1833.
In the last 180 years, the society now reaches people in nearly 150 counties.
Role of laypeople
The biggest message from the retreat to take home was that lay people can achieve greatness through God and attain holiness. Middlecamp said everyone involved with the society is “called to journey together toward holiness.”
Another challenge to be learned from Ozanam’s life was accepting God’s plan when things don’t go according to your plan.
In his final years, Ozanam battled illnesses and was physically unable to teach or do his works with the society. He had to realize he had a new vocation in life — to suffer and sacrifice. This was his way of “embracing God’s providence.”
Sister Kieran gave final reflections at the end of the retreat. “Do the disappointments, tragedies, or setbacks you have experienced test your faith in God’s providence?” “How is God moving in your life right now?”
Panel discussion
The retreat was followed by a panel discussion on the life of Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, featuring Dr. Michael Thio, president general of the International Council General of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and Bishop John M. Quinn of Winona, Minn., society national episcopal advisor.
Thio spoke on the “branding” the society has around the world. He mentioned the works now being done in counties like Nepal and Mongolia, the newest country in which the society works.
Thio said the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is “carrying on the wonderful legacy” of Frédéric Ozanam “with the help of the Holy Spirit.”
Ozanam was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1997. With a continued effort to see Ozanam canonized a saint, Bishop Quinn addressed why saints are important.
He said saints are “average people like you and me that became great by becoming instruments of God.” He added, “Even though we are sinners, we are destined for glory.”
Following the panel, assembly participants took part in Mass and afternoon group sessions.
Thio gave the keynote address the following day on “The Legacy of Blessed Frédéric Ozanam Being Lived Out Today.”