Vincentian Leader Letter Critical Analysis Assignment

“We may think we’ve heard the whole story, but that story resonates more deeply when we read letters. Part of the reason for that resonance is the immediacy of letters. Letters are what history sounds like when it is still part of everyday life… Lord Byron wrote ‘Letter writing is the only device for combining solitude and good company,’ and the safety of that combination seems to inspire the courage to be honest. Dreams are confided in letters – both the nightmares and the hopes. Love is confided in letters – without fear of hearing laughter… A lot of the joy of reading letters comes from hearing the ring of unaffected truth. People describe things in letters, in passing, that they take for granted but we need not. For example, the pack of wolves passing a schoolhouse near the home of a lone woman homesteader; the code words for ordering liquor during the days of Prohibition…these are the little details that refresh even the most familiar events.”

– Letters of the Century by Lisa Grundwald and Stephen Adler

 

Letter writing was the main forms of communication for our founding Vincentian leaders. Vincent wrote over 30,000 letters in his lifetime. This assignment is an opportunity for you to get to know one of the Vincentian leaders more intimately through their letters. Please follow these steps for this assignment:

1. Choose one of the founding Vincentian leaders (Vincent de Paul, Louise de Marillac, Frederic Ozanam, Amelie Ozanam, Elizabeth Seton) that you would like to get to know more intimately through their letters.
2. Spend some time reading through their letters, a minimum of 10, to get to know them. You might choose letters from one time period in their life, or examine letters at different times in their life. Look for concrete examples in their letters that demonstrates their leadership approach, important signs of the times and their role in responding, relationships, religious and faith experiences.
3. In light of the 10 (or more) letters write a reflective analysis letter back to the Vincentian leader you chose explaining to them what you gleaned and learned from their letters. Share with the Vincentian leader what you hope to carry with you from the insight of their leadership and approach to social change, along with any critiques you may have of their approach. Integrate in the letter how these lessons relate to your own life, leadership, service, and faith/spiritual journey.

Your letter analysis will be evaluated on including the following: 

• What do their letters invite you to as:

• 1) a leader,
• 2) a spiritual person, and
• 3) how you approach social change and building relationships with those on the margins during this moment in history
  • For each of the above prompts, use a  direct citationsfrom the letters that informs each of the above connections.
  • In a separate page at the end include the citations of the ten or more letters that you read.
  • 3-4 pages, double spaced, 12 font, 1 inch margins

Example of Letter Analysis: 

Sr. Louise Sullivan, D.C. in her article, “God Wants First The Heart And Then The Work:’ Louise De Marillac And Leadership In The Vincentian Tradition,” gives a good analysis of the letter we will read in class. Notice how she uses direct quotations to
explain her point that Louise’s leadership style is relational.

“Fifth, Relational. A letter of 26 October 1639, addressed to Sisters Barbe Angiboust and Louise Ganset, illustrates this method. It is to be noted, first of all, that Louise writes to both sisters in the same letter, rather than just to the superior as might have been expected. She begins by telling them of the good that she knows they are accomplishing. Then, in her usual direct style, she addresses the problem head on. She says, “However, I have learned what I have always feared. Your work, which has been succeeding so well…has done nothing for your advancement in perfection.”

She then speaks to them individually, pointing out the failings and suggesting possible remedies. After this, she looks at herself, and the responsibility that may be hers for what has happened, since she was not always as available to them as she might have been. Following this, Louise expresses her confidence that, together, they will work things out. Louise also acknowledges that the process is a painful one for both of them and she concludes, “True humility will regulate everything.””

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step 1: Choosing a Vincentian Leader
Begin by selecting one of the founding Vincentian leaders for your analysis. Here are your options:

• Vincent de Paul

• Louise de Marillac

• Frederic Ozanam

• Amelie Ozanam

• Elizabeth Seton

Take some time to think about which leader resonates with you the most based on their leadership and legacy. If you feel drawn to a particular area of social change or faith, that might help you choose the right leader.

Step 2: Reading the Letters
Next, you’ll need to read a minimum of 10 letters written by the chosen leader. You may choose letters from one specific time period or explore different stages of their life. Here’s what to focus on while reading:

• Leadership approach

• How they respond to challenges in their time

• Their faith and religious experiences

• Their relationships with others, particularly those on the margins

• Their perspective on social change and serving others

Try to engage with the letters as deeply as possible, reflecting on what you can learn about leadership, faith, and social change from them.

Step 3: Writing the Reflective Analysis Letter
Once you’ve read the letters, the next step is to write your own letter back to the leader you chose. This is your chance to reflect on their leadership, social change efforts, and spiritual insights. Here’s how to structure your letter:

1. Introduction:

   • Briefly introduce who you are and why you’ve chosen to write to this specific Vincentian leader.

   • Mention that you’ve read their letters and what insights you’ve gained from them.

2. Leadership Insights:

   • Discuss what you’ve learned from their letters about leadership.

   • Use direct citations from the letters to support your points (e.g., their approach to managing people, dealing with challenges, etc.).

   • Reflect on how their leadership style inspires you in your own life.

3. Spiritual Insights:

   • Explore how their letters impacted you spiritually.

   • How do their faith experiences resonate with your own journey?

   • Use examples from their letters to reflect on their spiritual approach.

4. Social Change and Marginalized Communities:

   • Analyze how the leader’s actions and thoughts on social change influence how you approach social justice and building relationships with those on the margins.

   • Cite specific examples of how they engaged with marginalized communities, and reflect on how this influences your perspective today.

5. Personal Reflection and Critique:

   • Conclude your letter by reflecting on how the leader’s insights will influence your personal and professional life.

   • You may also include any critiques or areas you feel their approach could be improved, while respecting the context of their time.

Step 4: Citations and Formatting

• At the end of your letter, provide a citation page with a list of the 10 letters you read, following the proper citation format.

• Be sure your paper is 3–4 pages in length, double-spaced, with 12-point font and 1-inch margins.

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Quick Tips:

• Focus on making connections between the historical context of the letters and how the leader’s actions were rooted in their faith and leadership approach.

• Be sure to cite specific examples from the letters to support your analysis.

• Balance reflection with analysis—this is not just about summarizing the letters but about critically engaging with their content and applying it to your own life.

With these steps, you’ll be able to craft a thoughtful and insightful analysis of the Vincentian leader’s letters, while also considering how their leadership can inspire you today.

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