“[SOLIDARITY] IT IS A FIRM AND PERSEVERING DETERMINATION TO COMMIT ONESELF TO THE COMMON GOOD; THAT IS TO SAY TO THE GOOD OF ALL AND OF EACH INDIVIDUAL, BECAUSE WE ARE ALL REALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL.”
– POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II
The French origins of Blessed Frederic Ozanam and the first Conference are deeply woven into the fabric of the Society. The Society was born out of a time when France was grappling with the legacies of their great Revolution. The people were navigating the ongoing political, social, and economic changes that bled into life in the first half of the nineteenth century. The Society reacted against many of the excesses and lasting outcomes of these transformations that translated into widespread poverty and economic inequality. At the same time, it is infused with threads of the revolutionary spirit, taking from those famous three words of great and lasting hope: liberty, equality, fraternity. One example of this interlacing of values can be found in the Rule, where it is hoped that meetings are to be “…held in a spirit of fraternity, simplicity and Christian joy.”
Part of Frederic Ozanam’s spiritual formation was drawn from the Franciscans, having himself authored a series of articles eventually collected into a book titled, “Franciscan Poets in Italy in the 13th Century.” Today, some Franciscans even claim him as among the greats of their tradition! It is no wonder that in the writings of Pope Francis, drawing on the tradition of his namesake, St Francis of Assisi, this same spirit of familial joy, love, and simplicity can be found resonating, expressed most recently in the encyclical, Fratelli Tutti.
The spirit of Fratelli Tutti is one of fraternity and social friendship. It transcends the confines of the gendered language that is used to express this universal gift: the defining of our relationships with one another through deep and mutual respect, joy, openness and love. In other words, it is a spirit of solidarity. This spirit permeates all of our connections, whether it is in meeting a Companion in a time of need, or lifelong relationships with friends and family. Solidarity is expressed through a commitment to working for the common good, promoting social justice, and advocating for the rights of people who are marginalized. It involves a recognition of our shared humanity and a willingness to act in ways that promote the wellbeing of all people. This means working together to address the root causes of social problems, such as poverty, inequality, and discrimination, and advocating for policies that promote the dignity of every person.
Two centuries before the birth of the Society, St Vincent de Paul raised this question, “What use would it be to carry soup or medicines to poor persons if the motive for such actions wasn’t love?” It goes to the heart of the call of solidarity: to truly see the people we support in our services and encounter them with a familial sense of knowing and loving. May we live in the truth that justice and charity can be authentic only if we cultivate solidarity in practice with true compassion for people who live in poverty. Liberty is found in the freedom of God’s love. Equality is found in the liberation of God’s justice. Fraternity is found in the embrace of one another in meaningful relationships.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
- What values underline your relationships?
- What does a spirit of solidarity mean to you?
From: Firewood for the soul, vol. 2, A Reflexion Book for the Whole Vincentian Family
St. Vincent de Paul Society, Queensland, Australia.
Text by: Samantha Hill and James Hodge.
