St. John's News

To strengthen their growth as Vincentian leaders dedicated to making the world better, 41 freshmen in St. John’s new Ozanam Scholars Program spent winter break in two European capitals as part of the University’s Institute for Vincentian Formation and Servant Leadership—a two-week international experience focused on living the mission of St. Vincent de Paul.

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Held in Paris, France, and Rome, Italy, from January 2-16, the intensive program allowed students to “follow the footsteps” of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise de Marillac and Blessed Frederic Ozanam. The “experiential curriculum” integrated Vincentian mission, Catholic social teachings and “servant-leadership” through courses, tours of historic sites and opportunities to observe service in action.

Launched this past September, the Ozanam Scholars Program helps St. John’s students become “service scholars” who work closely with faculty and outside experts in the search for solutions to local and global problems like poverty and social injustice. Students must apply to the competitive, four-year program, named for Frederic Ozanam, founder of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

All freshman Ozanam Scholars participated in the two-week Institute. Accompanying them in Paris and Rome were James M. Keane, Ed.D., Director of the Ozanam Scholars Program; John D. Carrion, Program Coordinator; and Melanie Serge-Roth, Assistant Director of Academic Service-Learning . The administrators also were among the educators who engaged the students through coursework and presentations.

In Paris, the “experiential curriculum” brought students to key sites in the lives of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise de Marillac and Blessed Frederic Ozanam. Guided by Rev. Hugh O’Donnell, C.M., and Rev. Juan Julian Diaz-Catalan, C.M., Directors of the St. Vincent de Paul International Formation Center, the students visited such Vincentian landmarks as the tomb of Frederic Ozanam, where the group participated in celebrating Mass.

Students found the coursework and leadership activities as inspiring as the visits to Vincentian sites. The young scholars engaged in seminars focused on the writings of St. Vincent, St. Louise and Blessed Frederic and studied figures and teachings of the Catholic Church. The seminar on St. Louise de Marillac “was a very powerful one for the students,” noted Dr. Keane. “It enabled the students to see how a lay woman could rise to a significant level of leadership within the Church, using her resources to serve the poor and marginalized. It gave the students a strong insight into how to be a Vincentian leader today.”
Other invaluable experiences were the morning classes that focused on team-building exercises. Rane Jabonillo, a student, noted that “in Paris, the class activity I enjoyed the most was the truth circle. The experience involved taking turns, asking the group questions and having people step in if the question applied. It really helped build trust and a sense of family in our group.”

Through these class seminars, walking tours and team exercises, student scholars were educated in the roots and implications of both Catholic social teachings and the Vincentian heritage. The major presenters included Dr. Keane, John D. Carrion and Melanie Serge-Roth.

In Rome, students learned about Church history and participated in seminars focused on social needs, human rights, social exclusion and injustice in a changing world. The coursework examined historical Vincentian figures as role models of leadership. There also was a keynote address on “Vincentian Values and Catholic Social Teachings,” by Rev. John Gouldrick, C.M., who holds a Doctorate in Sacred Theology. Ozanam Scholar Meaghan Mapes says she found all the classes and presentations inspiring.

In Rome, Rev. David Murray showed students how community service in Italy serves as a modern expression of the Church’s traditional emphasis on charity. Rev. Murray brought students to the Community of Sant’Egidio, a lay organization associated with the Catholic Church. The organization helps the homeless, runs soup kitchens, tutors disadvantaged children and promotes social justice through educational workshops. By observing Sant’Egidio, the scholars witnessed how a group of lay people – committed to spreading the good news of the Gospel by helping the poor – are able to put into practice the principles of social justice stressed in the program’s course and seminar materials.

“The greatest example of servant leadership we experienced was in Rome when we went to visit the community of Sant’Egidio,” says Ozanam Scholar Meaghan Mapes. “It was really the highlight of my trip because it proved that even a small group of people can impact the world in a positive way through servant-leadership.”

Pointing to another lesson, Ozanam Scholar Meredith Leverich added, “I was amazed at the trust level that members had in one another. There was no concern about whether they would have what they needed to help the poor and do their work. Members believe that resources will be there and they have implicit trust in one another for the managing of those funds. Seeing what they can do enables me to believe that we, Ozanam Scholars, can make a difference in helping the poor in our society.” 

Visiting Sant’Egidio and studying Catholic and Vincentian social teachings showed the group that solutions to poverty are possible. Studying the concept of servant-leadership provided them with practical leadership strategies. Students focused on the developmental foundation and practical implementation of servant-leadership, a concept created by Robert Greenleaf (founder of the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership, www.greenleaf.org). It is rooted in principles that encourage collaboration, trust, foresight, listening and the ethical use of power and empowerment.

Accordingly, the scholars engaged in seminars on leadership concepts and practices; dealing with difficult personalities; leadership and diversity; cross-cultural leadership; leadership ethics; and presentation and meeting facilitation skills.  “I was impressed by the students’ willingness and desire to use their lessons outside the classroom,” noted John D. Carrion. “They consistently were able to draw parallels to their own lives and service work.”

St. John’s Ozanam Institute for Vincentian Formation and Servant-Leadership immersed the Ozanam Scholars in the Charism of Blessed Frederic Ozanam and St. Vincent de Paul, encouraging them to continue their development as academic leaders who are learning to create solutions to poverty—locally, nationally and internationally.

“Each Ozanam Scholar has a unique quality that drives them to help others,” says Melanie Serge-Roth. “The Institute provided the students with an opportunity to learn about their founder, Frederic Ozanam and his hero, Vincent de Paul. It also enabled them to learn more about themselves, their beliefs and the origins of service. It was truly a memorable experience.”

According to Ozanam Scholar Catherine Silva, “the program helped us see the connection between Vincentian history and St. John’s history. This history of service is such a rich one. I look forward to integrating the knowledge I’ve gained into the work of the Ozanam Program.”

In May 2008, the Ozanam Scholars will travel through the United States to focus on service on the national level. These and other activities –including ongoing service each semester and the formation of the Scholars Senate – are just some of the highlights of a student’s first year in the Ozanam Scholars program. For more information about the Ozanam Scholar’s Program, please visit http://www.stjohns.edu/ozanam.