Respect of Saint Vincent for Ecclesiastics

Saint Vincent was full of love and respect for every grade of cleric, honouring Jesus Christ in the person of His Pastors, who represent Him upon earth. With regard to Bishops, no command was too hard for him to obey. He was in the habit of honouring in their person the Power and Majesty of Him Whose place they hold, refusing to consider anything in them except what deepened his respect for them in his eyes. He did not need solicitations nor prayers to induce him to serve them, and he was more active about their business than his own. He made use of his influence to lavish it in their service, never tiring of recommending their petitions to the Queen or the Cardinal Minister of State, or to the Chancellor and other influential magistrates. Indeed, all the Bishops of the time looked upon him as a good father and a true friend, ever ready to use his influence with the Government in everything they needed.

He also exhorted both clergy and people to have great respect for their sacred character, and he himself always received them as the angels and ambassadors of the living God. At every call he would start at once, despite the great heat in summer, or the bitter cold of winter.

Indeed, he ever behaved towards Bishops as the docile servant of Scripture, who comes and goes even as he is commanded. His letters remain as a monument of respect for the Episcopal Order to all generations.

The other grades of clerics received the same respect from him. In truth, in his dealings with all men he was out to do good to all, and to do harm to nobody; but when there was question of Ministers of God he stretched this maxim to the furthest extent possible. Whoever was endowed with the sacerdotal character, or even simply wore the clerical dress, was sure of getting a favourable reception; some relief in his distress and a sympathetic hand ever ready to help. He placed out according to their aptitude those who brought suitable references for some employment, and would never allow any of his own to say evil of those of whom they could not say good. As for himself, he never used the pulpit to inveigh against the failings of pastors, for that would only make them embittered, without being converted, but rather against the disorders of the people, and this not by speaking of individuals, but as to a crowd, who feel less keenly the bitterness of reproaches when shared with so many others. A Missioner, who was more 2ealous than prudent, failed one day in observing this rule; Saint Vincent travelled about fifteen miles to go and ask pardon of certain ecclesiastics whom this preacher had treated rather hardly. What union, what harmony there would be amongst the clergy today if all these maxims were never forgotten!

We must not think, however, that Saint Vincent, like another Elias, kept silence when he ought to have spoken. But he had learnt from Saint Francis de Sales that dealings with ecclesiastics require delicate tactfulness, and that, generally speaking, meekness is the first means to adopt. In fact, his charitableness in word and deed enabled him to make numerous conquests.

To obtain from him a favour one had no need of powerful protectors or of multiplied visits. This devoted friend of the Priesthood of Jesus Christ found in the sacerdotal character alone a motive to touch him.

A certain priest, who was unknown to him and sick, asked him for some help. Saint Vincent received him kindly, lodged him, fed him, gave him the remedies he needed and kept him until he was completely cured.

Another, who was making a Retreat at Saint Lazare, fell ill there. The Saint gave him every imaginable care; the sickness lasted a long time, but the charity was continued still longer. When the sick man was cured Saint Vincent gave him a soutane, a breviary, several other things and ten crowns to help him to live.

A third, who was obliged to go on a journey and had not the wherewithal, approached the Servant of God. Saint Vincent furnished all that was necessary, including shoes and twenty crowns.

His wonderful charity towards priests never failed, and after spending an enormous sum on ornaments, linen, sacred vessels, vestments, books and Church repairs he still thought he had not done enough. Moreover, there were few ecclesiastics in the kingdom of France who at his death did not come forward to give testimony to that lavish generosity which he always kept secret within himself. Joseph of old was regarded as the Saviour of Egypt, Mr. Vincent was regarded as the "Providence of the Cure" and of Priests in distress. When, in consequence of the bad times, their number was great, they were to be seen, one after another, directing their steps towards Saint Lazare. Those who could not go so far appealed to him from their distant provinces. Everywhere his name was loved, and his praises were on every lip.

A Missioner who was travelling through Champagne met, in some village, the Cure of the place, who asked him who he was. "I am a Missioner," replied the traveller. At these words the Cure fell on his neck, embraced him affectionately, took him to his house and told him of the great services, spiritual and temporal, which the Saint had rendered to the whole country; then he added, showing the soutane he was wearing: "He has covered me with this garment", words which were spoken of Saint Martin by Our Lord Himself after He had appeared to him as a poor man and the Saint had given him half his cloak. More than two thousand ecclesiastics could have said the same of Saint Vincent.

Practice - Let every faithful Christian strive to receive lovingly the Regulations of Ecclesiastical Superiors; and let us beware of imitating those who, because they have spent their whole life in making themselves expert on totally different matters, dare to pose as critics of the words or actions of ecclesiastical Authorities, thus showing their great ignorance together with their blasphemies. "Beware" says the Lord, "beware of touching the Sacred Ministers, either by act or by word because, whatever is done or whatever is said against them, it is against Myself that it is done or said."

- text taken from Virtue and Christian Refinement According to the Spirit of Saint Vincent de Paul, by Saint John Bosco