Catholic Apostolate: A Trophy of God’s Mercy

If you choose me for all the works of your glory … through the institution of that holy Society which respects, venerates, favors and assists the Catholic Apostolate … [it is not due to] any merit of mine … [but because] you choose me as the most resplendent trophy of your mercy. (OOCC, X, p. 308; STA, 345)

St. Vincent Pallotti, a prodigy of God’s infinite mercy, was chosen by God to begin the Catholic Apostolate for the greater glory of God and the salvation of God’s people. In order to actualize the Catholic Apostolate in the context of the everyday life of the people, St. Vincent founded the Union of Catholic Apostolate on April 4, 1835. This Society respected, venerated, favored and assisted the Catholic Apostolate in every possible way. St Vincent Pallotti was convinced that he did not found the Society to promote and propagate the Catholic Apostolate due to his own merits and abilities, but because God, in his infinite mercy had chosen him to do this task. Hence, his task of establishing the Catholic Apostolate through the Union of Catholic Apostolate was the most resplendent trophy of God’s mercy. Therefore, the Catholic Apostolate and all the attempts to promote it were part and parcel of God’s merciful design, which was executed as per the plan of God by St. Vincent. The attitude of looking at his life’s work, to which he had spent all his energies as the trophy of God’s mercy, made St. Vincent work for God’s glory and others’ happiness unselfishly and generously.

Do I promote and propagate the Catholic Apostolate? Do I, like St. Vincent, believe that the Catholic Apostolate is a trophy of God’s mercy? Am I able to spend my energies for God’s glory and others’ happiness generously?

If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy … [be] of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart. (Phil. 2: 1-2)