THE SPIRITUALITY OF THE HOME VISIT

OUR VINCENTIAN HERITAGE Vincent de Paul in Chatillion- 1617 Frederic Ozanam-Mouffetard 1833

The Good Samaritan (Lk 10:25-37) “Who was neighbor to him? The one who treated him with compassion. Then go and do the same.” Rule 1.8

OUR VINCENTIAN SPIRITUALITY Vincent had a spiritual WAY …to all who, hungering for God… Vincent silently offered them the bread of the poor.

HOME VISITS We find joy in GIVING We are profoundly touched and TRANSFORMED

Let go of our comfort zone, our sense of being in control We come face to face with our own vulnerability

We face our own poverty Vincentians are called to journey together towards holiness… RULE 2.2

HUMILITY We are wounded Healers Simple goodness Transparent kindness Vincent offered his heart to others and humbly asked for theirs…

SIMPLICITY Face to face we learn reverence The poor of God have a mysterious effect upon us Dispositions grow within us The life of Jesus begins to take hold of our hearts

GENTLENESS Turn the medal… Let go of our prejudices, ignorance, cynicism Holy ground where we encounter God Our hearts are softened

SELFLESSNESS Discipline, mortification Give up our attachments Stretch us and move us out of our comfort zone Providence frequently upsets our plans

ZEAL Help humiliates when there is no reciprocity Help becomes honorable because it becomes mutual Affective and effective love Urged to do “more”

JOURNAL Reflect on your feelings Where you found God’s presence Did you experience mutuality Reveal the Vincentian Virtues Reflect and review

REFLECTION Contemplation and Journal Reflection on a Home Visit by James Davis (Page 19-24)

Why the journal? The home visit is the vehicle for a Vincentians spiritual growth and development. Doers are easily distracted by the doing Harvest the learning Prepare for sharing in conference

Journal Questions How did I feel about going out on the visit? During the visit, what did I find: Exciting or interesting/ Difficult or judgmental/ Attractive or repulsive? What touched my heart?  

Journal Questions How was I feeling during the visit: passive, engaging, controlling, receptive, listening? Throughout the visit, when was my heart opened or closed? Immediately after the visit, how did I feel?  One hour or so after the visit, how did I feel?

Journal Questions Reflecting on where I found God’s presence in the visit: in those visited in myself in my companion. How did I experience mutuality in the visit?

Journal Questions In what ways did my visit reveal the Vincentian virtues of: Simplicity Humility Gentleness  Simplicity Zeal

Journal Questions What I would do differently if I could do it over? What insights will I take to the next visit? What will I share about the visit at my next Conference meeting?

Discussion Think of a recent home visit and answer two questions from the journal Discuss your answers with the person next to you Share your experience of “going deeper”

HOME VISIT JOURNAL HOME VISITS I-V ICON REFLECTION Five journal sections provided for your Home Visit Reflections ICON REFLECTION On Page-65