Greetings! 

"Remember that the Christian life is one of action; not of speech and daydreams. Let there be few words and many deeds, and let them be done well."

 - St. Vincent Pallotti

Blessings to all on the feast of St. Vincent Pallotti!

Some may ask, "Who is that?"  I am glad that you asked.  St. Vincent Pallotti and his charism are the reason why the Catholic Apostolate Center exists.  He was a priest of the Diocese of Rome in the first half of the nineteenth century.  His ministry spanned the poor to popes.  It did not matter what a person was, but who the person was, an image and likeness of God, the Infinite Love.  He saw all people as gifted by God with talents that were meant to be shared. On January 9, 1835, St. Vincent Pallotti was inspired to found the Union of Catholic Apostolate, a collaborative association of lay people, religious, and clergy, who were called to assist in the missionary efforts of the Church through all apostolic methods and means, "revive, maintain, and increase the faith" of Catholics, and be an "institution of universal charity".  Over time, a community of priests and brothers and communities of sisters developed as well.  Members of the Union of Catholic Apostolate are now in over 50 countries around the world.  The Catholic Apostolate Center, a ministry of Pallotti's community of priests and brothers, is a 21st century expression of his charism that works to revive faith, rekindle charity, and form apostles.

Looking the other way when others were in need was not possible for Pallotti and his life calls all, particularly Catholics, to be more than simply passive participants in the Faith.  Instead, we are called to be apostles, sent by Jesus Christ out into the world to spread the Gospel and charitably bring healing and consolation in the midst of brokenness and suffering. 

In many ways, it is fitting that those who March for Life today in the streets of Washington, D.C. are doing so on his feast day.  The marchers not only give witness, but also voice to those who are voiceless, unborn children.  The most vulnerable and in need were closest to the heart of St. Vincent Pallotti as he and his companions went into the streets of Rome to care for them day after day and night after night.  On January 22, 1850, he died from a respiratory illness because he had braved the elements to continue his work after giving away his cloak to a poor elderly woman on a cold, rainy night.

St. Vincent Pallotti understood well what Pope Francis teaches us today:

"Jesus, the evangelizer par excellence and the Gospel in person, identifies especially with the little ones (cf. Mt 25:40). This reminds us Christians that we are called to care for the vulnerable of the earth" (Evangelii Gaudium, n. 209)

We invite you to learn more about St. Vincent by downloading our Pallotti App or visiting our new Pallotti Portal.

May the Charity of Christ urge us on!

In God, the Infinite Love,

Fr. Frank