FAMVIN (noun)
- A network of websites, including this one, for news, reference materials (encyclopedia), formation materials and social networking.
- the Vincentian Family: a living, growing community of more than 2 million people seeking to follow Christ, the evangelizer of the poor in the model presented by the life of Vincent de Paul and his collaborator, Louis de Marillac.
We come from all walks of life: We are ordained priests, vowed religious (brothers and sisters) and by number, we are overwhelmingly lay people called to this way of life. More details on the major branches of the Vincentian Family can be found here.
Take five minutes to watch and learn more about the Journey of Vincent and Louise.
We have our heros to guide and inspire us on our journey…
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.
Louise de Marillac, who died on March 15, 1660 just a few months before Vincent de Paul, was beatified in 1920 and proclaimed a Saint of the Church in 1934. In 1960 Pope John XXIII proclaimed her the Patroness of Christian Social Workers. As a wife, mother, teacher, nurse, social worker, mentor, spiritual leader, and foundress, she stands as a model to all women. She lives today in the Ladies of Charity, Daughters of Charity, and Sisters of Charity serving throughout the world, as well as in their many lay collaborators and associates.
Frederic Ozanam (April 23, 1813 – September 8, 1853) founded with fellow students the Conference of Charity, later known as the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. He has been revered since as an exemplar of the lay apostle in family, social and intellectual life. The work he began with the Conferences of St. Vincent de Paul has continued to flourish. At his death, the membership numbered about 15,000. Today (in 1979) it numbers 750,000, serving the poor in 112 countries, a living monument to Frederic Ozanam and his companions.
He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1997.
This site will keep you up to date on news and events for FAMVIN (The Worldwide Vincentian Family). Visit our reference site, the Vincentian Encyclopedia, for more in-depth information about our heroes and leaders past and present. There you can also learn about places important to us now and in the past. Visit Vinformation if you are seeking formation resources as you grow in your Christian life, in particular as a Vincentian. Or visit VirtualVins to join a social network of people seeking to follow this way of life more deeply.
We help each other…
to see Christ in
the eyes and the scarred faces of the least among us – those on the margins of society.
to live better Jesus’ words “whatever you do to least of My people, that you do unto Me.” Come and see the works we do.
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