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Vincentian Encyclopedia is devoted to material related to St. Vincent de Paul, a 17th century priest whose influence is still being felt today through the more than 2 million people who are inspired by him and serve in various organizations generally known as the Vincentian Family.
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Vincentian Encyclopedia
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. It also includes legal and historical documents and articles by contemporary Vincentian historians and spiritual writers. It is an encyclopedia created "by" and "for" the Vincentian Family.
- The project is a uniquely collaborative effort of many people. Widely accessible technology that allows people to work collaboratively is rapidly changing the way content is created on the web. The best known application of the technology is "Wikipedia", a free user created encyclopedia whose English version has almost three million articles.
- The Vincentian Encyclopedia adaptation of wikipedia is presently set up so that 'any registered user of this site can create and edit pages . To register use the login/register link at the top right of this page.
- The software behind this project supports many forms of collaboration. For example, work groups and committees can draft documents collaboratively before or after committee meetings, saving travel time and expenses. An example: Using this site to collaborate on a document.
- The software also supports exchange of information about ongoing projects such as Vincentian-Setonian Researchers.
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.
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 María Román Fuentes, C.M., Father John Rybolt was appointed to continue the work begun by José María Román 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.
Who was Vincent de Paul?
- St. Vincent de Paul lived during the 17th century in France. His funeral drew thousands in Paris and the preacher said that he "just about changed the face of the Church and France". In the 300 years since his death he has inspired millions to walk in his footsteps in many different walks of life. Today there are well over two million people formally associated with what has become to be known as the Vincentian Family.
Reflection for Sunday Readings
Do You Speak Vincentian?
- A project currently under development is the compilation of words and phrases commonly used in the various branches of the Vincentian Family.
- This Definitions page will allow us to create a Vincentian dictionary of words and phrase use by the followers of Vincent and Louise..
- Please feel free to edit any of the following definitions or put in a request for other concepts you would like to see explained. You'll have to login to edit. Create yourself a username, and contribute to the effort!
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 at the Vincentian Family. The following section is devoted to information about the what is common and unique in the ways these people way in the "way of Vincent."
Young people Walking in the Way of Vincent
- Someone recently said of the young, "They are not our future, they are our present."
- This section is devoted to learning what our young adults are doing in the English-speaking world.
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 rearching and writing.
- Vincentian-Setonian Researchers is place for people to describe the work they are engaged in and the kind of things they would find helpful in their work.
Vincentian Advocacy Resources
- The late Pope john Paul II challenged Vincentians to seek out underlying causes and long term solutions to problems of poverty. While direct service is important it is advocacy which addressed the long term solutions. Vincentian Advocacy will lead to a description of what the followers of Vincent and Louise have been doing to address root causes.
Additional Technical Resources
- 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
18 May in History
1657: Conference of Vincent de Paul in Saint Lazare about the Holy Spirit, which deals with the reasons for asking God to fill us with His Spirit, the signals by which one can recognize that the Holy Spirit is acting in us and the means to participate in gifts and acts of the Holy Spirit.
1705: In Casale, in then Vincentian Province of Turin, François Baly - a canon which will become archbishop of Méliténe - gives one of his houses and a garden to the Priests of the Mission. He came to support our confrere, Fr. Pierre Dona, who was thinking of installation Congregation of the Mission in Casale, his home diocese.
1829: In Paris, the XVII General Assembly of the Congregation of the Mission has elected Vicar General Fr. Dominique Salhorgne,73, to be the twelfth Superior General. His generalate lasted six years and three month. The Assembly, which started on May 15, was composed of older confreres, many of whom have experienced the sufferings of exile, and all were venerable survivors of the Revolution. The Assembly elected Frs. Pierre Le Go, Joseph Boulangier, Jean Francis Richenet and Francisco Antonio Baccari as his assistants. The first two were assistants during the brief tenure of former Superior General, Fr. Pierre-Joseph Dewailly. Fr Richenet was the visitor of France and Fr Baccari, who was appointed by Pope Pius VII, in 1821, Vicar General of the Priests of the Mission and the Daughters of Charity, whose homes were outside France, had returned to Rome as the Visitor after the election of Fr. Dewailly, as superior general in 1827. During the Generalate of Fr Salhorgne transfer of the relics of St. Vincent de Paul took place and the revolution of 1830, which had feared the return of major riots from 1789. In 1835, the Assembly accepted Fr. Salhorgne's resignation from the office because of health reasons.
