Family Tree Project

The Family Tree Project shows that ninety-nine founders designated Vincent de Paul as patron of their institute, and that seventy-nine founders chose or adapted the Common Rules of the Daughters of Charity for their new establishment. Dozens of members of Saint Vincent's own communities have themselves become founders.

The following summarizes the findings for each criterion:

• Saint Vincent de Paul himself founded two institutes and two lay associations.
• Fifty institutes, seven Anglican congregations and one secular institute adopted the Common Rules of Vincent de Paul or substantially incorporated its major principles into their rule.
• Saint Vincent was mentor, advisor, or involved in another way for nine institutes.
• Thirty-nine institutes and five lay associations were established by members, or former members, of theCongregation of the Mission.
• Nineteen institutes and two lay associations were established by members, or former members, of the Company of the Daughters of Charity.
• Three institutes were established by lay members of the Vincentian family.
• The Daughters of Charity or the Vincentians were mentors during the establishment of four institutes and three associations.
• Three lay associations have had ongoing influence from members of the Congregation of the Mission or the Company of the Daughters of Charity.
• Ninety-nine institutes and one lay association have Vincent de Paul as one of their patrons.
• Five institutes, one Anglican congregation, and two lay associations profess the same spirit as the Congregation of the Mission or the Company of the Daughters of Charity.
• Six institutes have adapted the Vincentian charism of evangelization and service of the poor but with a unique emphasis.
• Seven institutes and one lay association are related but in another manner.

The Vincentian Family Tree, authored by Betty Ann McNeil, D.C. (Chicago: Vincentian Studies Institute, 1996), 255 pp. A monograph tracing in exact detail the roots of the entire Vincentian Family worldwide. An enormous undertaking, Sr. Betty Ann McNeil has been widely praised for the groundbreaking nature of her work. A remarkable resource for those who wish to study this complex history.

This work is available through the Vincentian Heritage Bookstore. See Vincentian Heritage Bookstore