FEAST OF BLESSED ROSALIE RENDU
February 7, 2026
Gospel: (John 15: 9-17)
Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Live on in my love. You will live in my love if you keep my commandments, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and live in his love. All this I tell you that my joy may be yours and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. There is no greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Reflection:
Sister Rosalie Rendu (1786-1856) was a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, who worked for the poor in the Mouffetard district of Paris, France. Her zeal for the poor drove her to establish the means to educate poor children; to care for infants; to support the elderly; to serve the poor in their homes; and to supervise young working girls. One of her disciples in her mission of service was Frederic Ozanam and the first members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. She gave to them her gift of insight in serving the poor when she told them, “Be kind and love, for love is your first gift to the poor. They will appreciate your kindness and your love more then all else you can bring to them. If you wish to be loved, you must love, and if you have nothing to give, give yourself.”
Vincentian Meditation:
“Always remember, that if our childhood has been one of constant want, perhaps, we too, would have given away to envy and hatred, as I must admit have many of the poor we serve.”
-Bl. Rosalie Rendu-
Closing Prayer:
Holy God, we claim your mercy and cry out: For the poor we serve,
-we ask your help and solace.
Loving Spirit, circle the victims of violence and war,
-protect and guard them.
Provident God, provide what we need to give to the poor,
-and lighten their burdens.
For all the members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul,
-we ask your blessings and peace.
Amen.