VINCENTIAN STUDIES COURSE

BOQUERON, CHIRIQUI, PANA

JOHN P. PRAGER, C.M. 1995

3. THE VOWS AND EVANGELICAL COUNSELS FROM A VINCENTIAN PERSPECTIVE

 

GOAL: Understand how the vows can be lived to promote the the life of service to the poor.

READINGS FOR THE TEACHER:

--The readings from the first class on the history of the vows and from the section on Vincentian
spirituality offer some ideas on the vows.
 

1. STABILITY: FIDELITY IN THE SERVICE OF THE POOR

Readings from the chapters on the charism and the Vincentian vocation.

 Pérez-Flores, M., "El Cuarto Voto de la C.M.: La Estabilidad," Vincentiana 28 (l984), p. 236ff.

 Renouard, J.P., "Le Service des Pauvres dans la C.M.," Vincentiana 31 (l987), p. 650ff.

 2. POVERTY: SOLIDARITY WITH THE MARGINALIZED

 Readings from class 2 on the canonical aspects.

 3. CHASTITY: CELIBATE LOVE

Gómes, A., ""La Castidad en el Celibato por causa del Reino de Dios," CLAPVI 50 (l986), p. 65-72.

 

 4. OBEDIENCE: DISCERNING GOD'S WILL

Koch, B., "La Relation d'Autorité selon St. Vincent de Paul en lien avec des Vues Modernes," Vincentiana 32 (l988), p. 601-678.
 
 
 

A.The following excercise can be done either in work groups or individually:

Ask the novices to investigate and reflect on the following aspects of the vows:

1. The teaching of St. Vincent from his conferences and letters on each of the
vows.

2. The significance of each of the vows for the service of the poor.

 

3. Difficulties with living the vows

4. Helps for living the vows today.

 

 B. Another possible excercise is to ask the novices to develop cases to be discussed.
 

NOTE: It would be helpful to dedicate a class to each of the vows