On 13 April, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin, preached a Homily in the Dublin Convention Centre marking the 175th Anniversary of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.
Addressing members of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, the Archbishop said: “Vincent de Paul has become a household name because of the consistent commitment of you, the members and supporters of the Society and the work that you carry out.”
He continued that the Society “does important work in identifying the extent of poverty and the root causes of poverty and new forms of poverty. It works as a catalyst in fighting poverty alongside different actors in civil religious and political society.”
On the spirit of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, Archbishop Martin stated that the society does not glorify or exalt poverty, but recognises that “poverty is an imposed impossibility for people to realise fully their God-given talents.”
He continued: “We celebrate the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. Since it came to Ireland in 1844, its members have been pioneers in bringing support and hope to the marginalised.”
Giving thanks to the Society, the Archbishop said: “The greatness of the story of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul is the witness of those men and women who, never showing any trace of condescension, became real friends with the poor and were recognised as such by the poor.”
The Archbishop concluded: “The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul over these years has witnessed to and continues to witness every day to the God of love revealed in Jesus Christ.”
For the full Homily click here.
ENDS
