Two Unique Experiences of Asceticism in the Life of Saint Vincent de Paul
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35312/0vfdv380Keywords:
Ascetism, Saint Vincent de Paul, Mysticism, Temptation against faithAbstract
This article examines the ascetical dimension of the spiritual life of Saint Vincent de Paul, situating it within the broader development of Christian spiritual theology. Drawing upon classical authors such as Tanquerey and Charles André Bernard, it distinguishes between asceticism as the human response to God's initiative and mysticism as God's gracious action toward humanity. Against this theological background, the study explores two significant episodes in Vincent's early life—his silent acceptance of an unjust accusation of theft and another decisive experience of voluntary self-denial—as concrete expressions of evangelical asceticism. Rather than extraordinary practices, these events reveal an interior freedom shaped by humility, trust in Divine Providence, and conformity to Christ. The article argues that asceticism occupies a central place in Vincentian spirituality, not as an end in itself, but as a path through which the missionary is transformed interiorly and prepared to serve the poor with authentic charity and perseverance.
References
ABELLY, LOUIS. 1664. The Life of the Venerable Servant of God Vincent de Paul, Paris 1664.
ABELLY, LOUIS. 1913. On the Life of St. Vincent de Paul, Book Three, Archiepiscopal Press, Florence 1913.
COLLET, PIERRE. 1748. The Life of St. Vincent de Paul – Founder of the Congregation of the Mission and the Daughters of Charity, published by A. Leseure, Nancy 1748.
Conferences to the Priests of the Mission - Works X, CLV – Edizioni Vincenziane, Rome 2008. Italian translation of SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL (Edition published and annotated by Pierre Coste), Correspondence, Entretiens, Documents, Vol. XI-XII, Libraire Lecoffee – J. Gabalda Éditeur, Paris 1923-1924. Cited in this article as S Vit X, followed by the page number.
GUILLAUME, MARIE-JOËLLE. 2023. Vincent de Paul – A Saint of the Great Century, CLV – Vincenziane Editions, Rome 2023.
ROMÁN JOSÉ MARÍA. 1996. Saint Vincent de Paul – Biography, Jaca Book, Albairate (MI) 1996.
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