“What can I do? I am just one person.” We may ask ourselves that question and respond in the same manner, especially when we believe our efforts are few and far between. And yet, just one person bore the Son of God. As well, just one person IS the Savior of the world. Today’s blessed is just one person and he is the inspiration for about 800,000 persons worldwide in 140 countries. Bl. Frédéric Ozanam (1813-1853) co-founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in 1833 “for the sanctification of its members by personal service of the poor.” As a law student in Paris he saw the need to help others in their need. He promoted service to the poor by the laity following the model of St. Vincent de Paul and under the guidance of Bl. Rosalie Rendu, a sister of the Daughters of Charity. That model uses small “conferences” of laity to work to help the poor in their areas. There are about 4,400 conferences in the United States alone. Bl. Frédéric died in 1853 of tuberculosis and was beatified by Pope St. John Paul II in 1997.
Pope John Paul said of him: “Frédéric Ozanam loved everyone who was deprived. From his youth, he became aware that it was not enough to speak about charity and the mission of the Church in the world: rather what was needed was an effective commitment of Christians in the service of the poor. … He observed the real situation of the poor and sought to be more and more effective in helping them in their human development. He understood that charity must lead to efforts to remedy injustice. Charity and justice go together.” Join the Vincentians and serve others! Bl. Frédéric Ozanam, pray for us!
What is the worst situation that you could imagine finding yourself? Terminal illness? Perpetual debt? Permanent separation from your family? Now imagine that situation for every one of the 10,000 Africans that survived out of the 30,000 who were enslaved and placed like sardines on slave ships transported to Cartegena, Columbia each year in the early 17th century. Destitute, shackled, near death or dying; these were the souls to whom St. Peter Claver ministered for over thirty years, baptizing over 300,000. All the while he tended to their spiritual needs, he also brought food and medicine for their physical needs. He was named "worldwide patron of missionary work among black slaves" in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII.
Do we recognize the innate worth and dignity of those on the edges of society? They are children of God as much as you or I. Do we turn away from the person who is begging for money for food or transportation? Ah, but what if the "beggars" only want money for alcohol or drugs? We cannot contribute to what may have made them homeless. Of course not! But there are solutions to that; buy gift cards for local restaurants or prepaid gas cards. "Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me" (Mt. 25:45). We need to follow St. Peter Claver and care for the bodies and souls of our brothers and sisters.
