{"id":27401,"date":"2024-11-19T06:39:17","date_gmt":"2024-11-19T06:39:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/?p=27401"},"modified":"2024-11-19T07:22:43","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T07:22:43","slug":"on-a-pilgrimage-to-paris","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lectiodivina.com.au\/?p=27401","title":{"rendered":"On a pilgrimage to Paris"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On a pilgrimage in Paris last year, I was deeply moved by the legacy of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Catherine Labour\u00e9, whose lives overflowed with charity and compassion. Standing at St. Vincent\u2019s shrine, I reflected on his powerful words \u201cCharity is the cement which binds communities to God and persons to one another.\u201d This sentiment mirrored my own journey, which began years ago as a young nurse. At 18, I found myself caring for elderly men and women who could no longer care for themselves. Confronted by their frailty, I learned what it meant to love beyond those who showed me love, to love and honour the stranger in their vulnerability.

Our pilgrimage was especially meaningful as we travelled with Bishop Vincent Long, who shared his own story of arriving in Australia as a refugee. Vulnerable and in need, he was welcomed and supported by the men and women of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, who extended to him the spirit of St. Vincent. Their kindness inspired him to take the name Vincent upon his ordination into the Franciscan priesthood, a testament to the enduring impact of St. Vincent\u2019s legacy. From Paris to Australia, this spirit of charity continues to touch lives, igniting a passion for service across time and distance.

Across the street in the quiet chapel of St. Catherine Labour\u00e9, her words, \u201cOne must see God in everyone,\u201d spoke deeply to me. Catherine\u2019s vision called for a love that recognised the divine spark in every person. This message reminded me of the acts of service and compassion I have witnessed throughout my career, in colleagues and young people alike. Each encounter becomes an opportunity to see God in those we serve, to honour them with dignity and grace.

These experiences deepened my commitment to the Gospel call, \u201cTruly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me\u201d Matt 25:40. Inspired by saints who embraced love and service, I am reminded that this call spans generations and continents, transforming lives and communities in powerful, lasting ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

by Virginia Fortunat<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On a pilgrimage in Paris last year, I was deeply moved by the legacy of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Catherine Labour\u00e9, whose lives overflowed with charity and compassion. Standing at St. Vincent\u2019s shrine, I reflected on his powerful words \u201cCharity is the cement which binds communities to God and persons to one another.\u201d […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":27421,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[38,45,26,44,24,55,8,32,50,41,25,51,34,54,47,31,42,39,48,46,52,40,37,35,28,43,53,36,27,33,29],"class_list":["post-27401","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-newsletter","tag-ancient-wisdom","tag-contemplative-prayer","tag-enlightenment","tag-guided-meditation","tag-inner-peace","tag-introspection","tag-lectio-divina","tag-lectio-divina-for-beginners","tag-life-transformation","tag-meditation-guide","tag-meditation-mastery","tag-meditation-tips","tag-mindfulness","tag-mindfulness-meditation","tag-mindfulness-practices","tag-mindfulness-techniques","tag-personal-development","tag-reflect-and-transform","tag-reflective-living","tag-sacred-reading","tag-self-discovery","tag-self-help","tag-soulful-journey","tag-soulful-living","tag-spiritual-awakening","tag-spiritual-growth","tag-spiritual-guide","tag-spiritual-insights","tag-spiritual-practice","tag-spiritual-reflection","tag-transformative-journey"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t