Vincentian Encyclopedia
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What is the Vincentian Encyclopedia?
It is a collaborative effort to create a Vincentian encyclopedia of articles and other information useful for those who follow Vincent, Louise and their spiritual companions: a resource for those who are part of the Vincentian family and for others seeking reliable information on people, topics, and organizations related to the Vincentian family.
Featured Article
St. Vincent dePaul
Vincent had a passion for the poor and a genius for networking and organizing others to meet the full range of needs, both material and spiritual, of those who live on the margins of society.
St. Vincent DePaul (1581-1660) was not only the founder of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) but also the Daughters of Charity, the Confraternities of Charity and Ladies of Charity (1617).
A man of deep faith and enormous creativity, he is known as the "father of the poor" and "Universal Patron of Charity". His contributions to the education of priests and services for the poor shaped our church's role in the modern world.
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Vincentian Vocabulary | Who We Are | Where We Serve | What We Do | Our History | Our Spirituality | Working Together | Youth | Research
8 June in History
1627: Following an investigation confided to the vicar general, Denis Leblanc, the archbishop of Paris, Jean Francis de Gondi, signed a decree of uniting College de Bons-Enfants with all its goods and charges to the Congregation of the Mission.
1657: Conference of Vincent de Paul in Saint Lazare about mental prayer, dealing with the reasons to do it well, what and how to make it. The conference will continue on June 15 and 22.
1658: Conference of Vincent de Paul to Lazarists on the release of land assets. It was the second one on the same subject. Following interventions by some priests and brothers, Vincent said that a reason to surrender completely to God and divest earthly assets, namely the attachment to the property, honors and comforts of this world, is that without such detachment will the Congregation would never be able to provide great service to God. Vincent added that "by the vote of chastity, we have promised God to forgo the pleasures of body and spirit, by the poverty we have renounced the goods and conveniences of this life,like gold, money and the wealth of Earth, and by the vow of obedience we have renounced the honor, dignity and praise in the world."
1668: In Paris, at the request of the Superior General, other superiors and the Community, the Congregation of Daughters of Charity, received papal approval and confirmation of the authority through apostolic letters delivered by Louis de Vendome, legate of Pope Clement IX in France. Anne of Austria had intervened to the Holy See to appoint the successor of Saint Vincent, perpetual director of the Company of the Daughters of Charity.
1855: In Madrid, the Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission, Fr. Jean-Baptiste Étienne, accompanied by the ambassador of France, was received by Minister of Justice attended by the prosecutor, say, the political director. Fr. Étienne came to be assured that Vincentian province of Spain would not be removed from the authority of successor of St. Vincent as its Visitor wanted to happen in agreement with Spanish government in opposition to confreres. Just, the next day after the meeting, due to intervention of Queen Elizabeth II of Spain, Fr. Étienne's case was dealt in his favor.
1951: In Marseilles, death of Fr. Joseph Cornet, the true son of Jura. In age of thirty-one he sailed for China and was received to the Internal Seminary in Kia-shing, September 27, 1904. He was ordained a priest on July 3, 1910 there. He spent thirty-six years in the Celestial Empire circumscribing a district of Pao-ting-fou, then in the Vicariate of Tianjin (Tientsin). Fr. Cornet organized an ardent team animating first years of pilgrimages to Our Lady of Tonglu. And his pen alerted many readers of the Bulletin of Missions about his joyful missionary apostolate.
1953: Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission, Fr. William Slattery chaired the first session of the third international congress of Ladies of Charity, which was held at the House of Chemistry in Paris. Until June 11, representatives from seventeen nations, in an atmosphere of great cordiality, will bring their ideas on the theme: "Unity in Charity. Diversity in its adaptations." During the closing meeting, cardinal Feltin has given the participants his congratulations and encouragement.
Vincentian People, Places and Ideas
Many people in the Society and Church of Vincent de Paul's time had an influence on his life and work.
- Vincentian Heritage People provides backgrounds of the lives of some of these people.
Some of those who follow Vincent's approach to proclaiming the Gospel are recognized at Saints and Blessed by the Church.
- Vincentian Family Saints offers more information on these people.
There are reminders in many places in France of the life of Vincent de Paul.
- Vincentian Heritage Places provides details of some of these places.
Vincent and Louise were masters in fostering collaboration among groups that normally had little contact.
Former Superior General, Fr. Robert Maloney, CM often pointed out how the circle of poverty is increasing.
He reminded people that more than ever we need to expand the "circle of solidarity" and often invited us to be creative especially in reaching out to the young.
Reflection for Sunday Readings
- Savor the Love that God Has for Us
Jesus shows the depth of God’s love to the end. To savor such love is to know the One who creates us and is with us and makes us breathe.
- Full reflection: Trinity Sunday, Year A-2023
- Breath that Creates, Gives Life and Renews
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, has come so that his followers, his sheep, may have life and have it to the full. He passes on to them his breath.
- Full reflection: Pentecost Sunday, Year A-2023
Getting to Know the Vincentian Family
In the more than 300 years since Vincent and Louise died many have been inspired to walk in their footsteps. Collectively they are known as the Vincentian Family. The following section is devoted to information about what is common and unique in the ways these people walking in the "way of Vincent."
Vincentian-Setonian Researchers
The Congregation of the Mission history project described below is but one example of what the followers or Vincent and Louise are studying and writing about. Many others are researching and writing.
- Vincentian-Setonian Researchers is the place for people to describe the work they are engaged in and the kind of things they would find helpful in their work.
Other Uses of this resource
How to post news of your Vincentian ministry
Following this link will take you to a list of Vincentian ministries.
As this encyclopedia grows in viewership your organization will receive additional visibility if it is listed here.
Using this site to collaborate on a document
Consider yourself as a member of a committee charged with writing an article on Vincentian formation.
History of the Congregation of the Mission Project
Fr. John Rybolt, CM, and others are currently writing a projected five volume history of the Congregation of the Mission.
The project began in 1992. Upon the death of José MarÃa Romón Fuentes, C.M., Father John Rybolt was appointed to continue the work begun byJosé MarÃa Romón Fuentes, C.M., and Luigi Mezzadri, C.M.
This began in 2004, resulting first in an outline of the entire work, divided into four volumes: Vol. III: From the French Revolution to 1843; Vol. IV: 1843-1878; Vol. V: 1878-1915; Vol. VI: 1915-1984. We conclude at 1984, it being the year of approval of the new Constitutions.
The following segments are the first in a series of articles concerning the history of the Congregation following the French Revolution.
Additional Technical Resources
Wikipedia article on "How to Edit"
Wiki Help http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents
For information on how to write a great VincentWiki article visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:How_to_write_a_great_article
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