Faith-filled people put "two feet of love into action" during Day of Prayer and Service

On Oct. 26,  guests began lining up for lunch  outside of the St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room in Baton Rouge. Just around the corner from them a group of people prayed and prepared to “put two feet of love into action” and affirm their dignity by serving them.

The “Day of Prayer and Service for the Alleviation of Suffering and Promotion of the Dignity and Integrity of All People” was sponsored by the Office of Life, Peace and Justice of the Diocese of Baton Rouge and SVDP.

 “The Society of St. Vincent de Paul lives our Lord's commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves. We should all support them with our prayers, talents and financially as share God's love with people in need,” said Deacon Randall Waguespack, Director of the Office of Life, Peace and Justice for the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

The prayer service included Scripture readings, responsorial Psalms, a reflection on the mission of St. Vincent de Paul, intercessory prayers and praying the rosary.

In his reflection, Deacon Waguespack spoke about St. Vincent de Paul’s vision to build a more just world through helping those in need. He emphasized that love of God and neighbor cannot be separated.

“We are called to imitate Christ’s love, which means we are required to practice the sacrifice of giving,” said Deacon Waguespack.

He underscored the importance of faith leading to acts of charity by referring to Book of James, in which James wrote that if someone claims to have faith, but does not show it through deeds, his or her faith his dead.

“The Society of St. Vincent de Paul lives our Lord's commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves. We should all support them with our prayers, talents and financially as share God's love with people in need."
Deacon Randall Waguespack, Director of the Office of Life, Peace and Justice for the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

The deacon also highlighted a quote from St. Basil: “The bread which you do not use is the bread of the hungry; the garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of him who is naked; the shoes that you do not wear are the shoes of the one who is barefoot; the money that you keep locked away is the money of the poor; the acts of charity that you do not perform are so many injustices that you commit.”

Deacon Waguespack said, “The truth is we are called to give until it hurts when there are people around us that are in greater need. God is lovingly merciful and as his children we are called to be expressions of divine mercy in the loving kindness of faith and service.

“Jesus’ commandment is that whoever loves God must love his neighbor. St. Vincent de Paul encouraged love of neighbor when he stated, ‘We must love our neighbor as being made in the image of God.’ ”

“Let us today pray for the grace to have a heart inflamed with God’s love and strength to continue to serve one another with sacrificial love,” he said. “Let us also pray for all those who do not have a place to live, no clothes to wear or food to eat. May they receive the assistance they need to be comfortable in this world and be led to eternal life.”

Michael Acaldo, President and CEO of SVDP, expressed his appreciation to the assembled people.

“It is a blessing to be here. We’re all part of God’s kingdom and all part of God’s plan and every day gives us an opportunity to live a good life, one giving generously,” Acaldo said. “It’s a wonderful way to show respect for the work of the (SVDP) Dining Room and shelters because the people we serve are the most important. Jesus himself shared that with us.”

After the prayer service, attendees served guests coming to the St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room for lunch.

Reflecting on the day, Bridget Soileau, President of Baton Rouge Right to Life, said, “I think St. Theresa of Calcutta says it best: ‘I will never tire of repeating this: what the poor need the most is not pity but love. They need to feel respect for their human dignity, which is neither less nor different from the dignity of any other human being.’ ”

St. Theresa emphasized this to those who came to her and wanted to serve with her, according to Soileau.

“She always pointed them back home to their own communities. We have a direct responsibility to those people in our community who are less fortunate. Everything we have is from God ... It doesn't belong to us anyway,” Soileau said. “We are called to meet their physical needs ... food, clothing, shelter ... but we are also called to meet their spiritual needs.”

Soileau referred to an interview of Blake Brouillette, director of Christ in the City, conducted by popular Catholic speaker, Chris Stefanick.

“Blake ministers to the homeless in inner cities and he told Chris about an encounter he had with a man who told him he hadn't heard his name said out loud in months. Something as simple as asking for someone's name can begin to restore their dignity as a child of God,” said Soileau.

Photo by Debbie Shelley