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
30 November in History
1651. First Vincetians arrive to Warsaw, Poland. They were two priests: Lambert aux Couteaux, William Desdames, two seminarians: Nicholas Guillot, Casimir Zelazewski and brother Jacques Posny. St. Vincent de Paul sent Missioners to Poland on request of Queen of Poland, Maria Luise de Gonzague. In 1653 first Daughters of Charity joined Vincentians in Warsaw, too.
1657. In patent letters, king Louis XIV approves the Company of Daughters of Charity. After being approved by Archbishop of Paris these letters were needed to have Parlament acceptation making the Company and ecclesiastical and juridical person.
1692. King Louis XIV signs patent letters authorizing Daughters of Charity to build wall around their Mother House in the distance of six feet from the buildings.
1924. Janez Francisek Gnidovec is ordained bishop. On December 8, he was introduced as Bishop of Skopje, Macedonia. The diocese had been occupied by the Turks until 1912 and then was torn apart by war. Msgr. Gnidovec was born on September 29, 1873 in the Slovenian town of Veliki Lipovec. Ordained a priest of the Congregation of the Mission in 1896 and died in 1939. The bishop, whose poverty, mortification and love for the Eucharist will be exemplary,has never failed to visit, with great fatigue, to Catholics, scattered among the Orthodox, Muslim and lamaranos (Slavs who, because of the occupiers, externally are Muslims but retain their Catholic prayers).
1928. In the chapel of Maison Mère in Paris, Fr. Antoine Sévat CM is ordained bishop by cardinal Dubois, assisted by Msgr de Guébriant, Superior General of Foreign Missions, and Msgr Le Hunsec, Superior General of Priests of Holy Spirit. Msgr Sévat was appointed coadjutor bishop of Msgr Jacques Crouzet CM, Apostolic Vicar of Fort-Dauphin, in Madagascar. Antoine Sévat was born on May 15, 1878 in the French town of Isle-et-Bardais. Ordained priest on May 24, 1904. After the death of Msgr Crouzet on January 8, 1933, he became a bishop of Fort-Dauphin and held the position until resignation because of retirement in 1953. Then, he served lepers among whom he died on July 5, 1957.
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
- Clothe Ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ
Jesus lets us know that God calls us all to his kingdom. Besides, Jesus shows us how to clothe ourselves with him, so we may be of those whom God chooses.
- Full reflection: Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A-2023
- Dare the Wise and Learned to Be Truthful
Jesus is the sign of contradiction. He brings to light what we harbor in our hearts. He cannot but dare us to be truthful.
- Full reflection: Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, 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
For a further understanding of what is good and bad about wikis visit the following links
Please also see User's Guide for usage and configuration help and documentation on customizing the interface
