A re-reading of St. Vincent de Paul’s life of prayer: Towards revitalization in prayer life of the Daughters of Charity in the Philippine Province

• Main Author: Sutarez, Herminia O.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2006
• Subjects: Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul—Philippines—Prayers and devotions; Vincent de Paul, Saint, 1581-1660—Prayers and devotions
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/6472; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=12844&context=etd_masteral
• Institution: De La Salle University

This endeavor is a response to a renewed need for prayer as an expression of the search for spirituality and the desire to encounter God in a very personal way. The revitalization in prayer life seeks to offer a way for such an encounter amidst the present realities in Philippine context. Generally, people in all walks of life, are engaged in active lifestyle spurred by the fast paced society. Active religious communities and members of apostolic societies are not exempted from this so called, “busy trend.” The statement of Pope Benedict XVI in his first Encyclical Letter Deus Caritas Est, “It is time to reaffirm the importance of prayer in the face of the activism and the growing secularism of many Christians engaged in charitable work” (#37), stresses the call even more. The Catechism for Filipino Catholics describes this renewal in prayer life, it says, “authentic prayer is always rooted in the heart, and related to the neighbors in loving compassion and justice” (# 1480). In other words, this renewal underscores the social dimension of prayer. This aspect is very crucial, concerning the worsening situations of poverty in the Philippines, where God calls the people most urgently to serve the poor and the needy (PCP II #122), and to be in solidarity with the poor. With the two issues highlighted for this study: the reality of active lifestyle and a longing for spirituality, vis-à-vis the renewed need for prayer; and the reality of poverty in its multiple forms, vis-à-vis the call to solidarity with the poor, this renewal in prayer characterizes contemplation in action and solidarity with the poor. In particular, the thesis is about revitalization in prayer life of the Daughters of Charity in the Philippine Province. The study looked into the present context of the prayer life of the Daughters of Charity in the Philippine Province. In the same manner, a re-reading of St. Vincent de Paul’s life of prayer was made to rediscover his thoughts and practice of prayer, and interpret them in the light of contemplation in action and solidarity with the poor. St. Vincent de Paul was an example of a person who had been so active in his life and yet was able to live a deeply spiritual life. The study proceeded by setting the life of prayer of Vincent de Paul in dialogue with the prayer life of the Daughters of Charity, in an attempt to discover Vincent’s challenges to the prayer life of the Daughters of Charity towards revitalization in their prayer life. Qualitative research was applied as a method of data gathering. Two approaches were used: Key Informant Interview and Focus Group Discussion. The number of respondents, though may not really represent the entire DC Province, can be used as sample to illustrate the context of DC prayer life today. This consideration is based on the fact that the DC houses in the Philippines maintain substantially the same common prayer practices. The respondents were asked about their understanding and practice of prayer, and solicited their suggestions for the revitalization of DC prayer life. The analysis showed that the respondents have a knowledgeable understanding of prayer in according to Vincentian Spirituality. As a whole, the responses of the Sisters as well as their suggestions indicate a dynamic pattern for revitalization: the attitude towards prayer and finding the time to pray. These concerns: attitude towards prayer and finding the time to pray, are the two areas on which the Daughters of Charity should focus on in the revitalization of their prayer life. In conclusion, Vincent’s life of prayer continues to challenge the Daughters of Charity to be rooted in God, to be in touch with one’s self, and to be immersed in the situation of the poor. These challenges are essential elements for revitalization in DC prayer life. In parallel view, they are in effect interrelated with the three-fold image of Jesus, as perceived by Vincent and Louise (C. 8a). It is in being rooted in God that one can be an Adorer of the Father; by being in touch with one’s self can one acknowledges becoming Servant of His Loving Plan; and immersion with the situation of the poor predisposes a person to be an Evangelizer of the Poor. Therefore, for a Daughter of Charity to be revitalized in prayer life, she needs to continue rediscovering Jesus as an Adorer of the Father, Servant of God’s Loving Plan and Evangelizer of the Poor, just like what Vincent did. This shows that the key for a revitalization of prayer life of the Daughters of Charity is just within their reach. It is what Vatican II says, “a return to the source, to the initial inspiration of the founders” (PC #2). In this study, the researcher wants to point out the importance of sinking deep in their (DC) roots. There is no other person whom God wanted them to learn than from their Founders. His wisdom and insights, his experience of God and of the poor manifested a person endowed with gifts of prayer. Vincent left a legacy to the Sisters: it was his experience of God, his image of God, and how he took it upon himself.