Vincent de Paul and Mercy: Yesterday and Today

This study will examine mercy in Vincent’s letters, conferences, and works. It will proceed in three steps.  First, as background for Vincent’s teaching, it will briefly analyze what the Hebrew and Christian scriptures say about mercy.  Second, it will present Vincent’s teaching on that topic, highlighting what he said and did.  Third, it will situate this teaching within the present-day context of the Church and the Vincentian Family. Vincent’s teaching on mercy can be summarized under six headings: 1) Mercy as the distinctive feature of God; 2) God’s mercy toward us; 3) The importance of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy; 4) Mercy and justice; 5) Obstacles to performing the works of mercy; and 6) Mary as Mother of Mercy. Vincent stressed the importance of both the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.  He insisted that the liberation which Jesus proclaimed to the poor was holistic and integral.  Consequently, he sent Daughters of Charity to minister to the poor “spiritually and corporally.