Definitions
What do we mean when we use terms such as "charism" or "evangelized by the poor" — or even the very word "Vincentian" itself?
Without realizing it, we often use words that are not readily understood outside of our circles.
- For example, we take for granted that people understand what we mean by "charism", "evangelized by the poor", "Double Family",
"formators", etc.
At other times, we do not realize that the same word means different things in different branches of the Vincentian Family.
- For example, when a member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul uses the word "Vincentian", it refers to members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, whereas when a member of the Congregation of the Mission uses the word, it most likely refers to a vowed member of the Congregation of the Mission.
Even the phrase "Vincentian Family" has a number of meanings ranging from strictly canonical to figurative.
If there are words or phrases that you think need clarification simply log in as a user of this site, click on the "edit" link at the top of this page and then type in the "New items" section below the word or phrase that interests you. Save the page and the new version of the page will contain a red reference to what you have added. Hopefully someone will elaborate on the suggestion within a day or two.
New items
Vincentian
(as understood by a particular group of followers of Saint Vincent such as members of the Congregation of the Mission or members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul)
Members of the Congregation of the Mission use the word Vincentian to describe themselves as members of the community founded by Vincent de Paul
Members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul founded by Frederic Ozanam refer to themselves as Vincentians. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fr%E9d%E9ric_Antoine_Ozanam. (Use your "Back" button to return to this page in the Vincent wiki.)
Vincentian Cross
The 'Vincentian Cross' was originally designed for the Daughters of Charity in the 1980s. However, it has since been adopted by many Vincentian Priests and Brothers, with the entwined 'V' and 'S' being variously interpreted as standing for St Vincent or Vincentian Service. The one shown here hangs on at De Paul House, Marsfield (Sydney), Australia and the casting was made Mrs L Mimovich of Melbourne, Australia.
Being Evangelized by the poor
Today we emphasize a new methodology that is adapted to the person of the oppressed, where the educator and those being educated learn mutually, where teachers not only evangelize but are evangelized by the poor. Contemporary documents note that persons must not only be the objects of formation, they must be subjects within the formation process. "Some Qualities of a Good Formator" by Robert P. Maloney, C.M. Superior General in VINCENTIANA 9.VII.2002
Today, as in St. Vincent's time, humility means that we recognize our creatureliness and our redeemedness, both being gifts of God's love. It shows itself in our gratitude for gifts, seeing all things as grace. Humility is concretized in the missionary's development of a "servant's attitude," a willingness to undertake even menial tasks in the service of the poor. It is also manifested in our willingness to be evangelized by the poor, "our lords and masters," as St. Vincent put it. Maloney, R. VINCENTIANA 1997-03-06
Common names - Congregation of the Mission
There is no one common name for members of Vincentian family, Congregation of the Mission or Daughters of Charity worldwide. It deffers from continent, country and language. The first common name for Congregation of the Mission was Lazarists. This nickname came after the Maison St.Lazaire, the first community house in Paris. Today's gare St.Lazaire, an important railway station in Paris holds its name after Congregation's house, too. The name Lazarist/Lazarists is still used in European and French language oriented countries.
In United States and other English speaking countries the name Vincentian/Vincentians" came to life. Because of popularity of English language this name is used more and more worldwide.
In Spanish language oriented countries members of the Congregation are commonly named "Paules" or "Vincentinos".
In particular countries, like Poland, the name "Lazarists" -- "Lazary?ci" (pronounced in Polish) was used for decades of years. Nowadays Congregation members are named Misjonarze (pronounced mee-syo-na-ze" popularily after the main Congregation's goal -- popular missions. There are various congragtions with the "missionaries" noun in the title, but when the single noun "misjonarze" (missionaries) is heard, it means someone turns to members of the Congregation.
Council
The Conference is the basic unit of the Society, and this is where the strength of the Society lies. Each Conference member needs to value the special "treasure," the "pearl of great price," that each one has as a Society member. Each needs to share it with others because a potential member's happiness (now and eternal) depends on it.
Conference
As understood by members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul...
The Conference is the basic unit of the Society, and this is where the strength of the Society lies. Each Conference member needs to value the special "treasure," the "pearl of great price," that each one has as a Society member. Each needs to share it with others because a potential member's happiness (now and eternal) depends on it.
As understood by members of the Congregation of the Mission and the Daughters of Charity...
A name for talks given by St. Vincent de Paul, and, by extension, anyone speaking to a group of people on a spiritual topic.
Internal Seminary
A period of preparation of a candidate seeking to be admitted to a religious community as a first step in formation to take vows in the Congregation of the Mission or the Daughters of Charity. In many other orders and congregation this period is named Novitiate. (In some provinces the name of Seminarium Internum is commonly used). Generally, it last 12 month.
Motherhouse
The general definition of "motherhouse" is...
The convent in which the mother superior of a religious community lives. A more specific definition is ...
The original convent of a religious community.
In the Congregation of the Mission founded by Vincent de Paul it refers to
95 Rue du Sevres in Paris where for many years the leadership of the Congregation resided until offices were moved to Rome.
Among the Daughters of Charity the motherhouse refers to
Rue du Bac where their leadership continues to reside and where Mary appeared to St. Catherin Labouré.
Particular Council
A term used in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to denote
"Pentecost experience" of Saint Louise
The general definition of "motherhouse" is...
The convent in which the mother superior of a religious community lives. The Daughters of Charity are not religious. From the time of Vincent and Louise the the term "convent" is not used. Rather the residence of the sisters is referred to as a "house". A more specific definition is ...
The original convent of a religious community.
In the Congregation of the Mission founded by Vincent de Paul it refers to
95 Rue du Sevres in Paris where for many years the leadership of the Congregation resided until offices were moved to Rome.
Among the Daughters of Charity the motherhouse refers to
140 rue du Bac where their leadership continues to reside and where Mary appeared to St. Catherine Labouré in 1830.
"PH"
"PH" is an abbreviation used by the Daughters of Charity of some provinces to refer to their headquarters. The term "PH" popularly refers to Saint Joseph's Provincial House in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
Rue du Bac refers to the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and Motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity in Paris
You can reach 140 rue du Bac by Metro or bus. You will find yourself at a popular pilgrimage shrine. In fact, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared there in 1830 to Saint Catherine Labouré and offered to the world the Miraculous Medal…
Scholasticate
also known in some provinces as Seminarium Scholasticorum. A period of seminary formation and study of philosophy and theology for candidates to priesthood in the Congregation of the Mission. It starts after completing Internal Seminary. Priesthood ordinations finish this period of formation.
Visitor/Visitatrix
Visitor and Visitatrix refer respectively to the person holding major reponsibility for provinces of the Congregation of the Mission or the Daughters of Charity. In most of other orders and congregations this position is named Provincial
Collaboration
With "WIKI" technology, we now have available to us a very easy-to-use — yet very powerful — tool that is rapidly revolutionizing the way we can collaborate on documents and projects such as this.
Thus, "VincentWiki" will allow a community of users to take a crack at developing a kind of "Dictionary of Vincentian Words & Phrases" that can then be made generally available on the Internet. With some restrictions, anyone will be able to suggest a word or phrase that needs to be defined, respond to a request, or edit what someone else has written.
Inspiration for this project
The idea for this project that we are calling "Do You Speak Vincentian?" came from a page on the Boston College Web site entitled "Do You Speak Ignatian?"
(I strongly suggest you make a 5-minute visit to this site as background for this project.)
