By Gina Leal (Division of Mission and Ministry)

Part of our leadership formation is getting students to reflect on their lives through the lens of our Vincentian mission. Vincent and Louise were complex human beings, much like our students, whose lived experiences shaped them and led them to be the people that they are known to be today.

They were not perfect people – had their joys and struggles as they engaged with the world around them– but that is why our students can connect with their lives and the wisdom of their experiences.

One example of integrating Vincentian wisdom in a reflection activity – use of Story of the Scarred Coin.

Human dignity is at the core of our Vincentian Mission. When Vincent was asked “why help this disheveled old man or why help the poor among us?” his signature response would be “Because you’ve seen through to the other side of the coin”.

Vincent would use the metaphor of a beat-up, dented, scratched, scarred, and very common coin to describe his relationship with those he served. As you are walking, you may stop by a scarred coin on the ground which at first glance is dirty and you wouldn’t want to pick up. When you pick up the coin and turn it, you realize that the coin has another side which is shiny and beautiful. This is how Vincent understood the sacredness of every human being and the importance of “taking off our shoes” in the presence of every person we encounter. As Vincentians, we are called to “turn the coin” in all of our interactions with others, especially those on the margins.

Let’s look at a modern example of what Vincent is talking about. Chimamanda Adichie talks about the dangers of a single story and the power dynamics of who gets to tell our stories and the stories of marginalized communities.

Modern Understanding – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigerian novelist)
9:34 – 11:55 – Quick Viewing suggestion
Video – The danger of a single story 

The Scarred coin reflects these power dynamics in society – sometimes we only see the single story of a community or ourselves. We only see one side of the coin.

• The dirtied/scarred side that produces fear
• The coin was made dirty by society

Finally, have students reflect on big pieces of paper around the following questions:

• What are the stories told about me?
• What are the stories I hold dear about myself? Share with others?
• What are the stories told about communities on the margins? About poverty?
• What are the stories communities on the margins/experiencing poverty tell about themselves?

We end this reflection with students sharing a way in which they want to commit to “turning the coin”

• How will you challenge dehumanizing narratives? Be in relationship with people to avoid the “dangers of a single story”.