VincentWiki:Ephemerides/26 January

1856. Four Vincentian Priests and 30 Daughters of Charity taking care of cholera sick patients of are murdered in Crimée.

1870. Six Daughters of Charity start work in the hospital in San Salvador. It initializes presence of the little company in El Salvador.

1933. At night, in the Infirmary of Mother House in Paris dies Rev. François Verdier CM, the Superior General. Born March 11, 1856 in Lunel, diocese of Montpellier. Admitted to the Congregation December 7, 1874, ordained priest May 22, 1880. His first 34 years of priesthood he spends in didactical work at theological seminaries in Nice, Marseille, Montpellier, Rome and Noto. Being a Superior in Montpelier he publishes two important works: "la Révélation devant la raison" published in the collection of «Science et Religion» and a Manual for public church law. In 1914 Convent General elelcts him as en Assistant to Superior General -- Fr. Villette. When Fr. Louwyck dies February 17, 1918 he becomes Vicar General. Another Convent elects François Verdier to be 17th successor of St. Vincent de Paul. WWI destroys Congregation very much. And Fr. Verdier is recgnized as the ne who reanimated the life f the community. On January 1, 1920 there were 3.805 confreres and brothers, 336 houses and 31 provinces in the Congregation of the Mission. O January 1, 1933 there were already 4773 confreres and brothers, 406 houses and 36 provinces... During his term the Congregatin celebrated its 300th anniversary (1925) and 100th anniversary of the Rue du Bac Revelation (1930) . To acknowledge his contribution and commitment the government of Republic f Frances honored Fr. Verdier the medal of Legion d'honneur. His death was recognized by the French newspapers as great loss for the Church, France and two religious families. While being a Superior General Daughters of Charity started the service in Congo, Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Honduras. First editions of "L'Echo de la Maison Mère" were issued in 1926. The community of Daughters of Charity grew to an over 3000 members.