By Gail Rowe, National Vincentian Spirituality Committee
Spiritual Advisors really don’t need to give advice. Walking alongside other Vincentians as we traverse the rutted, uneven, sometimes jarring path to God, is what we do. We need some very particular virtues to assist our colleagues in our mission of service. Perhaps some insights from the very first Spiritual Advisor may benefit us.
As we know, Emmanuel Bailly was the first President of the Society. Mr. Bailly was also considered the first spiritual advisor, although the title had not yet been created.
Mr. Bailly was a newspaper owner who (1) allowed the new Society members to meet on his property. In addition to his (2) kind guidance, Mr. Bailly was a man before his time. Born Joseph-Emmanuel Bailly, his father-in-law asked him to take his bride’s maiden name so the family name would not be lost. With (3) deep respect and to (4) honor his father-in-law, he became Joseph-Emmanuel Bailly de Surcy.
Emmanuel exhibited virtues that are still relevant.
- He was generous …with material items as well as his time and talents
- He was a kind man. He gave his time to the founders. He listened. He guided.
- He respected all people, i.e. his in-laws, his friends, those he served
- He honored people. He demonstrated how to honor each other.
Emmanuel Bailly has also left us with a few reminders of how to be holy Vincentians relying on God. From his own words:
“If visiting of the poor, well and regularly performed, we add, dear Brother, a true spirit of charity towards one another, then the future of our Society is assured, and God will heap His blessings upon it.”
Emmanuel Bailly’s words help us remember to be charitable not only to our friends in need, but to each other. Don’t you feel God’s blessings heaping and spilling on you?
Again from E. Bailly:
“What gives strength and activity, what will bring everything into perfect harmony in our work is the sincere love of the poor of Jesus Christ and the brotherly union of all the members of the Society.”
Doesn’t this service for Jesus remind you that we all are so abundantly loved and cherished that it helps us to just get along? Remember, we are not alone. We have each other as sounding-boards, mentors and friends…AND…we have our ancestors to give us guidance. Peace to all of us.
