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
5 June in History
1857: In Nantes, Fr. Jean-Baptiste Étienne embarked for Portugal. He was invited by the empress-widow of Brazil, aunt of the king of Portugal, to come to Lisbon to settle the details of the establishment of the Daughters of Charity in the Kingdom. In the middle of last century, the Lazarist province established in Portugal in 1736 and once so successful, was reduced to a single person of visitor, as a result of the 1838 decree abolishing all the religious orders on Portuguese territory. In 1856, a cholera epidemic devastated Portugal. King's aunt claimed the relief of the Daughters of Charity. Fr. Etienne agreed, but asked that the Priests of the Mission were restored at the same time. A royal decree expressly authorized the restoration of small company on the banks of the Tagus and Fr. Etienne then could go to resolve the practical application of this act with the Portuguese Government.
1870: A terrible fire ravaged Beyoglu (formerly Pera, a district of Constantinople). 5 000 buildings were destroyed and 40 000 people became homeless and utterly. At the Austrian hospital staffed by Daughters of Charity, Sister Kurth remained with heavily sick patients she did not want to abandon. Down in the chapel the ciborium remained in the tabernacle. When everything collapsed, this ciborium, full of waffers, was found standing on the heart of her dead body. She was 29 years.
1922: Election of Mother Inchelin as Superioress General. Before her generalate she was involved in vocational and spiritual formation of Daughters of Charity and open minded for collaboration between various religious communities and with lay nurses as well. In Saint-Joseph, where she returned after her generalate term, nuns from all orders, and lay non-graduates, were received for training courses she created to numerous Sisters preparing for Service of the Poor. She edited a handbook for hospitals and nursing homes care designed for Daughters of Charity. For several generations her instructions maintained in love of the Rules and the Company. In Lourdes she began the Union of Religious Hospitallers which was later extended in the Universal Church.
1939: In Hebo(Aligide Valley, Eritrea), a place where he died, assisted by two doctors and surrounded by many clergymen, including our confrere Fr. Valentino Ferrando d'Adigrat, Msgr Luigi Marinoni, vicar apostolic of Eritrea, recognized the remains of Justin de Jacobis.
1947 Election of Fr. William Slattery as twentieth Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission. He entered the Congregation on June 10, 1913 in Princeton, New Jersey, United States and became the first successor of St. Vincent de Paul who was not French. Daughters of Charity were lead by Mother Lepicard and then succeeded by Mother Blanchot and Fr. Castelin and Jamet as Directors General.
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
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
