Institute tribute to Frederic Ozanam

Sydney
8 June 2003

Institute tribute to Frederic Ozanam

Vinnies members urged to “launch out into the depths” at the Ozanam Institute of Spirituality launch

By Damir Govorcin

Bl Frederic Ozanam’s great mission was and is the spirit of a great apostle, says Bishop Patrick Dougherty, Bishop of Bathurst.

Frederic’s ways, encouraging people “to use one’s every talent and gift”, were at the heart of the Bl Frederic Ozanam Institute of Spirituality at Lewisham, he said.

The bishop was delivering his homily at a Mass to launch the institute, which, he said, “highlights the value of spiritual teaching in gaining motivation and purpose in our work with the poor”.

“Now is the time for you to launch out into the depths of Ozanam’s intercession and example - to follow the soundness of his leadership of others,” he said.

“This is a sure gate to the full living of the Catholic life.”

The Ozanam Institute is a facility that supports learning and adult faith formation within the Vincentian tradition.

It offers selected courses in Scripture, correspondence programs based on the lives of St Vincent de Paul and Bl Frederic and retreat packages.

The courses will respond to the new and unfolding challenges that are being faced by conferences of the St Vincent de Paul Society.

These include the training of spiritual advisers and the developing nature of Vincentian spirituality in the post-modern world.

The institute draws its inspiration from the life of Bl Frederic who, with six of his friends, founded the St Vincent de Paul Society in Paris in 1833.

They were drawn to the charism of St Vincent de Paul. They sawthat this spirituality had a special relevance for their time - 200 years on.

This belief has enabled the Society to expand to 135 countries and attract more than a million members and volunteers.

For more information about the institute call Vin Hindmarsh on 9560 8666.