Feast of St. Vincent de Paul -2021

On September 27, the Catholic Church commemorates St. Vincent de Paul, the patron saint of the poor. This feast is special for the Vincentian Family, which works all over the world serving the poor and needy in the spirit of its founder.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be consoled. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who endure persecution for the sake of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they have slandered you, and persecuted you, and spoken all kinds of evil against you, falsely, for my sake: be glad and exult, for your reward in heaven is plentiful.  (Matthew 5, 4-11)

The solemn divine service was held by Fr. Marek Gromotka OCD, assisted by Fr. Jan Dudek OCD, Fr. Yaroslav Rudy, Fr. Leonid Kuklyshyn СМ, Fr. Oleksiy Shevchenko СМ and Fr. Myhailo Talapkanych СМ. The seminarian Petro Mazur (he is studying to be a missionary in the seminary of St. Justin de Jacobis) glorified the celebration with organ playing and Gregorian chants.

Both in a passage from Scripture and in our daily lives, we can do simple at first sight but such important acts of mercy. Father Marek Gromotka OCD, who came with confrere Fr. Jan Dudek OCD, during his sermon called to follow the example of St. Vincent and to find our own vocation as the saint did. St. Vincent also did not recognize the will of God immediately, but he was open to it. The chief celebrant and preacher urged us to strive to be blessed, to strive to be holy especially in contemporary world, which attracts us to many things that are far from holiness.

Despite the times of the pandemic and restrictions, the missionary fathers celebrated the feast of St. Vincent de Paul not alone, but with guests, including guests from the seminary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Vorzel headed by Fr. Yaroslav, Father Deacon and seminarians… During the divine service, all those present had the option to receive a full absolution.

Marian sisters of the Miraculous Medal prepared a treat for the guests, who shared the joy of this celebration with us.

We are grateful for your prayer and support! Saint Vincent, pray for us!