Vincent de Paul, by Simon François de Tours
Who would have predicted that the spring of 2020 would see a global coronavirus pandemic unleashed on humankind leading to a world crisis? Words such as ‘lockdown’, ‘self-isolation’, ‘social distancing’ and ‘furloughing’ have become part of our daily vocabulary.
The coronavirus has had a massive effect on all areas of society. However, it has cruelly exposed the divide between the richest and poorest, the healthy and the frail. The incidence of mental health issues soared, and the fortunes of businesses declined. Social and economic upheaval was mirrored by a spiritual famine for those who sought guidance amid the chaos of the ongoing uncertainty. Churches were closed for worship, Masses live-streamed, and the faithful cut off from the sacraments as a means to sanctification, with no confessions and only spiritual communion.
This pandemic has been a turning point in history which will define generations to come. It has been likened to the Spanish flu of 1918 in terms of death toll and suffering. Though not as deadly as the great plague of the mid-14th century, which killed 50 million in Europe alone, coronavirus might trigger the greatest changes mankind has faced in Christianity’s two thousand years. Here is a wake-up call for humanity.
In the face of this crisis governments seemingly, or perhaps unwittingly, place faith in the apparatus of their own devices. Of course, we must strive to seek medical and scientific expertise for a solution. Nevertheless, while infected individuals need to be isolated, God must not be quarantined.
It is no coincidence that 2020 is the ‘Year of the Bible’ for Christians. It is providential and part of God’s plan that the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, early last year, dedicated this year to renewed appreciation and understanding of the Scriptures, under the title, The God who Speaks, so that we can “celebrate, live and share” the Word of God.
This time of exile has been an opportunity to nourish our faith through reflective prayer and reading the Bible. God speaks, perhaps in the silence of our hearts, and we come to understand His plan for our lives. We also trust that God will give us strength and courage, wisdom, and perseverance in the face of adversity and discouragement.
This is a time to reflect on what is important to us in the burdens of the day – whether work, family, illness, grief, or poverty. Let us pray with faith that, among other things, God guides governments, through medical and scientific experts, to find a swift and reliable solution to the global infection that is causing great tragedy in our lives.
Yes, we should thank all the good people involved in improving our current situation. In addition, we should not hesitate, even for a moment, to thank God, have hope and pray that good will come out of this cataclysm.
Some people now ask: “Where is God?” He asks us: “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9). St Augustine said: “God is closer to us than we are to ourselves.”
The SVP’s patron, St Vincent de Paul, ‘Apostle of Charity’, whose faith, hope and love were the keystones of his charitable projects, motivates our endeavours. Attention to the poor and a healthy dose of humility were hallmarks of his vocation. These virtues are just two aspects of the Vincentian spirituality that inspires our work.
This ethos has been the driving force of volunteer members at Tower House, a community centre established in September 2017 to support older and isolated people, many of whom do not practise any faith, by offering them respect, dignity and hope. The SVP has provided lunches and a wide range of holistic activities for such vulnerable people experiencing poverty in whatever form.
Unfortunately, due to the government lockdown, Tower House had to close in March. However, through a network of dedicated SVP staff and volunteers, we have found innovative ways to continue kindness and compassion to these beneficiaries who feel isolated and lonely, with television as their main companion.
One such way of turning concern into action is the provision of food parcels to recipients who have come to depend on us. Other ways that we care include befriending through telephone calls, postal facilities and internet communication where possible, and the donation of magazines, activity packs that include appropriate exercises to improve mobility and breathing, fun games, quizzes, jokes and more.
Like so many others, our beneficiaries have had plenty of time to reflect on their lives. If left to their own devices, I fear that secular society would have confined many of these people in their twilight years to an increased risk of anxiety and depression, not to mention cardio-vascular disease. Loneliness is harmful to health, but I believe that the Christian philosophy of the SVP has enabled adversity to further embrace them in God’s love.
Here are some of the heartfelt remarks from people the St Vincent de Paul Society has helped during the lockdown at Tower House:
“My heart tells me that God has made St Vincent de Paul the field marshal of an invincible army of charity workers supplying great food and caring befrienders. Yes, you not only do good works, but do it so well.”
“You are my life-saver, my anchor and hope in this stormy sea of sadness. I look forward to happier days and seeing you all soon.”
“To me you are a beacon of light shining God’s love for us all – the sunshine in my life.”
“Thank you so much for the food parcels and Sunday dinners. Your continuing kindness and caring in being a friend to me, through your phone calls, lifts up my spirits during this loneliness.”
“COVID has brought me closer to God – thinking of my own mortality. But onward Christian soldiers...You have changed my life for the better.”
In July, once restrictions were eased, Tower House organised afternoon tea for their most isolated guests. Every single person remarked how amazing it felt to be with other people again. Several guests said that taking tea outside Tower House was the happiest day of their year; a reason to celebrate, to wear something special, and to feel part of the world again.
It can be extremely challenging to care for people suffering from dementia, who have perhaps endured the most during the lockdown by not having regular contact with others. Centres like Tower House offer friendship and support, a service that is needed more than ever during the pandemic.
Since 1833, when the St Vincent de Paul Society was formed, the world has experienced natural disasters, war, economic decline, and the misuse of the Earth’s resources - however, COVID-19 is an entirely new threat to civilisation. It has crept into our existence and overshadows every part of our lives. Though a solution to the pandemic lies excruciatingly out of reach, we have the tools to fight this vile foe. We have love, faith, the unending gift of friendship and generosity.
The St Vincent de Paul Society is meeting COVID-19 head on with its ‘Rise to the Challenge’ campaign, through which we will feed those in desperate need, befriend the lonely, and offer hope where poverty threatens.
If you want to join the fight against COVID-19, then rise to the challenge and support our work. You can volunteer to help in your community, or simply pledge money to help those most affected by coronavirus.
For more information on how you can make a difference in your own community, call 0207 703 3030, go to https://www.svp.org.uk/rise, or email info@svp.org.uk
The St Vincent de Paul Society is an international Catholic volunteering organisation dedicated to providing practical assistance to those in need, irrespective of ideology, faith, ethnicity, age or gender.
Dr Luke Fernandes, Consultant Rheumatologist in Brighton for almost three decades, is now Honorary Consultant since retirement over ten years ago, President of St Vincent’s Brighton, and a lead volunteer in the core group that set up Tower House Community Centre three years ago.