Faithful Recognition
St. John’s University celebrated its first Vincentian Convocation in two years by honoring people and organizations that embodied this year’s Founder’s Week theme: “Be Vincentian, Work for Justice.” The Convocation, held on September 23 at St. Thomas Moore Church, served as the capstone celebration for Founder’s Week, which honors the life and legacy of St. Vincent de Paul, the founder of the Congregation of the Mission. Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., President of St. John’s University, presided over the ceremony.
The Vincentian Convocation celebrates and reflects upon the Vincentian mission, what Fr. Shanley referred to as, “the living heritage that guides St. John’s University today as it has for the past 151 years.”
We are most pleased to share with you that the Mission of the Little Sisters of the Poor was recognized by the Convocation in its presentation of the Frederic Ozanam Award to the Little Sisters. The award was given “In recognition and appreciation for extraordinary contributions and commitment to the mission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, in the spirit of its founder Frederic Ozanam.”
Accepting the award on behalf of the Little Sisters was Sr. Sheila, our Director of Nursing. In her remarks, Sr. Sheila, highlighted the strong common spiritual bonds between the Vincentians and the Little Sisters. Specifically, Blessed Frederic Ozanam and St. Jeanne Jugan, the foundress of the Little Sisters, understood not only the plight of the poor, but that the poor are the sacred image of God. As such, both were called to a purpose to alleviate suffering and poverty. Sr. Sheila concluded her remarks with the words of Jeanne Jugan, which are at the foundation of the Mission of the Little Sisters, – “Never forget that the poor are our Lord.”
Faithful Recognition