The Acting Person in Service: A Wojtyłian Ontological Grounding for Vincentian Mission
Abstract
This research addresses a theoretical vacuum within the Vincentian mission, which, despite its profound commitment to serving the poor, often lacks a robust philosophical anthropology to undergird its praxis of systemic change. The study proposes that Karol Wojtyła’s personalist ontology, particularly his concept of the “acting person” who realizes their dignity through free action and participation, provides the necessary philosophical foundation. It argues that integrating Wojtyła’s thought strengthens the Vincentian mission by grounding its spiritual impulse in a coherent understanding of the human person. This synthesis links personal transformation to social solidarity, offering a framework where service becomes an authentic encounter that affirms the subjective dimension of the poor. The Indonesian context, with its communal ethos and active Vincentian presence, serves as a vital case study for testing this integrated model, demonstrating its potential to renew the theological and practical foundations of the mission.
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