As a DePaul University alum, I have a special place in my heart for St. Vincent de Paul and his companion, St. Louise
de Marillac. Their love for the poor and belief in the dignity of every individual have made an impact throughout the world. During my undergraduate years, I appreciated the Vincentian value that “special attention is paid to the poor and marginalized.” What I had not realized was that I was considered one of them! I did not think of myself as poor or marginalized, but in relation to many of my peers, I certainly was. Growing up on the northwest side of Chicago in a Puerto Rican, middle-class family, I knew many people who struggled and had fewer opportunities than I. The realization that my peers or professors saw me as someone who was lacking was a challenge for me as a young adult.
Jesus’ example in today’s Gospel helped me deal with my own crisis of identity. He starts by letting his disciples name what others have said about him. The list is long, but many of the descriptors are inaccurate. I find it easy to fall into the trap of letting others define who I am with the cursory glance or by what they hear and assume about me. Jesus then asks the disciples, “But who do you say that I am?”
Jesus does not let the world define who he is. He knows who he is, and he understands that what matters is that those closest to him know it, too. Following his example, I take comfort knowing that those closest to me know who I am, and that the only real value that matters comes from the knowledge that I am a child of God.

Darius A. Villalobos

Darius A. Villalobos is the director of strategic partnerships and diversity, equity, and inclusion for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM). He and his wife live in Chicago, where he serves in a variety of ministries involving youth and young adults, cultural diversity, and faith formation.