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
25 March in History
1634: In Paris. Louise de Marillac, authorized by Monsieur Vincent, renovates her vow of widowhood.
1642: As a souvenir of Mother Louise consecration of her life into service of Lord Of Charity chosen by Daughters of Charity for the Solemnity of Annunciation to celebrate renovation of their vows, during the Mass for the day, Mother Louise, sr Barbara Angeboust and three other Sisters take their perpetual vows to give their whole life to service of poor.
1644: During the Mass on the Solemnity of Annunciation, in the church of St. Nicholas de Chardonnet, Louise de Marillac. sr Barbara Angeboust and three more sisters renew their vows, taken two years before, of living the whole life in chastity, obedience, poverty and service of the poor.
1657: In Paris, brother John Jourdain dies. He was the first brother coadjutor in the Congregation of the Mission which he entered on February 13, 1627. Earlier he was equerry master and master of the house of marquise de Maignelay.
1805: Elizabeth Ann Seton receives her First Communion at St. Peter's Church, Barclay Street, New York City.
1808: Elizabeth Ann Seton makes vows for one year and given title of "Mother" by John Carroll, bishop of Baltimore.
1813: A decree demands City of Paris to purchase the l'Hôtel de Châtillon (at rue de Bac, presently Motherhouse) and install Daughters of Charity there as they were installed in the residence at rue du Vieux-Colombier until the Revolution.
1824: In the age of 35,Joseph Rosati,CM is consecrated coadjutor bishop of New Orleans by Msgr Louis Dubourg, bishop of Florida and Louisiana in Donaldsonville, Louisiana.
1850: Union of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Joseph's founded by Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg,MD in 1809 and the Congregation of Daughters of Charityof St. Louise and St. Vincent.
1852: Group of sisters from community of Sisters of Charity pof St.Joseph, persuaded and assisted by archbishop of Cincinnati msgr John Purcell, establish an independent religious diocesan community of Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. These sisters didn't want to accept union of their Emmitsburg based community with 'French' Daughters of Charity. They wanted to preserve American character and heritage of their community. In 1920s they transferred to papal rights company by introducing new Constitutions and changing traditional Setonian style dress to modern one. Presently, about 500 sisters and 150 lay associates (women and men) work in 34 US dioceses and in Guatemala.
1911: 659 Sisters of Charity of Nazareth (SCN) make perpetual vows for the first time. The community was established in 1812 by nineteen year old Catherine Spaldiong and her two associates. They responded to bishop's David of Bardstwon, Kentucky call for assistance in ministering to the needs of the people of the area. The community follows the rule of St. Vincent de Paul. Presently SCN sisters serve in 20 states in the U.S.A., in India, Nepal and Belize, Central America.
1937: By the decree of Congregation for Eastern Churches signed by cardinal Eugene Gabriel Tisserant Prefecture Apostolic of Tigré on Abyssinian territories (Presently Ethiopia and Eritrea) is erected and confined to Italian Vincentians. Prefect's residence was established in Adigrat.
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
- Dead to Sin and Living for God in Christ
Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in him, though they die, will not stay dead. In him they will live for God and be dead to sin.
- Full reflection: Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year A-2023
- Open the Eyes of Those Who Cannot See
Jesus is the light of the world. That is why to open the eyes of the blind is part of the task that his Father has entrusted to him.
- Full reflection: Fourth Sunday of Lent, 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
