Vincentian Encyclopedia
Collaborate
Exchange
Inform
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.
Featured Categories
Featured Pages
How to Search
- Type a word or phrase into the search box
- Browse Categories
- Index of All Articles
Vincentian Vocabulary | Who We Are | Where We Serve | What We Do | Our History | Our Spirituality | Working Together | Youth | Research
2 June in History
1656: Conference of Vincent de Paul in Saint Lazare on the Feast of Pentecost, which focuses on the reasons to prepare well for the reception of the Holy Spirit, the signs by which a Missioner may have to recognize the spirit of God and the means to be available to receive it.
1670: In Rome, in the breve "Ex injuncto Nobis" Pope Clement X confirmed and approved Constitutions of the Congregation of the Mission with regard to the prerogatives of the Superior General, Vicar General and the powers of the General Assemblies.
1658: Conference of Vincent de Paul to the Daughters of Charity on the cordiality, respect and individual friendships, which deals with Articles 39 and 40 of the Common Rules.
1788: In Paris, the sixteenth Assembly General elected Fr.Jean Félix Cayla de la Garde to be tenth Superior General. He was the last General before French Revolution. Few months earlier, he had just been appointed Assistant. During Revolution he exiled in Rome from where he continued to encourage his spiritual sons and daughters. He was fifty-four years during election.
1912: In Jiaxing (Kashing) regional seminary, China, where he came to have a little rest and where he planned to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Trinity, the thirty-fifth anniversary of his priesthood ordination, Msgr Jean Antoine Casimir Vic, bishop of Méteilopolis and the first apostolic vicar of East Jiangxi (Kiangsi), died in the age of sixty years, after twenty-seven years of episcopate. By his birth, he belonged to the Diocese of Rodez, which has given the Church many priests and bishops. He entered the small Company in 1873, with the desire to go to China. Four years later, he was sent to Archbishop Bray, who administered vigorously whole Jiangxi since 1870. It equaled the area four times that of Belgium. From first glance, Bishop Bray appreciated the young Fr. Vic Satisfied with the activity of young missionary bishop Bray lead to split his vast Vicariate in two. Four departments in the North-East were erected as separate Vicariate and given to Msgr Vic. He was a little more than thirty-three when he became the first bishop of East Jiangxi ad when he took possession of the territory, consisting of five residences, three priests from Europe, ten Chinese priests and nine thousand eight hundred and five Christians . In 1911, the year of Bishop Vic's Episcopal jubilee, the same territory have had twenty-three residences, twenty-three European missionaries, ten Chinese priests, twenty-one thousand ninety-one Christian and six Daughters of Charity, and twenty - three indigenous sisters installed. Perched on his mule, each year he visited all of his Vicariate's posts : in the single 1911 year, he had stayed in three hundred and thirty-three mission sites. Vic Bishop was the good shepherd that, minute by minute, every day gave his life for his sheep.
1996: Pope John Paul II canonizes Jean Gabriel Perboyre, C.M., first missionary to China to be canonized.
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
- 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
- Emmanuel, That Is to Say, God-with-Us
Jesus, the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end, is Emmanuel, God-with-us. He is with us always.
- Full reflection: Ascension, 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
