Vincentian Reflection on the Wold Day of de Poor
Father Motto has prepared an excellent reflection which will be very useful for all members of
our Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, and for all the other branches of the Vincentian Family. It is
not lengthy, but is a very profound and knowledgeable piece. Going from the Introduction to
the Conclusion, it is divided into three, very well-written parts: Jesus and the poor; Vincent and
the poor; Ozanam and the poor. At the end, there is a list of 10 suggestions for a more focused
way of living the World Day of the Poor, serving those who suffer in more practical ways. I know
that we are presently living through a health crisis, but the suggestions can be implemented without
anxiety, always respecting safety protocols.
Father Motto’s text is incredibly rich, but at the same time, easy to understand, full of examples
with scripture quotations or references to major writers, not just Catholic and Vincentian, linked
to human history. It is pleasant, encouraging and, above all, very comforting to read Fr Andrés
Motto’s words. He always teaches us to live our Vincentian charism with prayer and action, like St.
Vincent and our leaders and founders, through Ozanam. We can never lose sight of our servants,
our loved ones, our friends and our masters -the poor- who open to us the gates of Heaven.
May this WORLD DAY OF THE POOR help us achieve the aims proposed by Pope Francis
in this world, helping us to build a more fraternal, fairer civil society, since the poor you will
always have with you (Mk 14:7).
Brother Renato Lima de Oliveira
16th President General
