The “Hearts on Fire” Gala celebrated the anniversary of the presence of the Priests and Brothers of the Congregation of the Mission in Philadelphia and throughout the Eastern Province.

Bishop Timothy Senior speaks on behalf of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in congratulating the Vincentians for their 170 years of service.

GERMANTOWN, PHILADELPHIA, PA On Thursday, October 10, the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal (CAMM) hosted more than 350 guests at the “Hearts on Fire” 170th Anniversary Gala at the Loews Hotel Philadelphia celebrating the long history of the Congregation of the Mission in Philadelphia and throughout the Eastern Province of the United States.

Proceeds from the Gala will support the charitable works of the confreres of the Eastern Province, which include the Miraculous Medal Shrine in Germantown and various ministries that support the poor and marginalized.

The Congregation of the Mission, also known as the Vincentians, was founded 400 years ago by St. Vincent de Paul to serve the poor and abandoned. The Vincentians opened their first parish in Philadelphia in 1849, and working from a missionary center there, have continued to spread their mission across the eastern coast of the U.S., Alabama and Panama through ministry to the poor and the establishment of parishes.

“We are proud to have gathered so many supporters and members of the Vincentian community from throughout the Eastern Province in celebration of the legacy of the Vincentian Priests and Brothers and in support of the continued success of their mission,” said CAMM CEO Mary Jo Timlin-Hoag.

The Gala honored the Raskob Foundation, Brother Alfred Smith, CM, and the Daughters of Charity for their service and dedication to the Vincentian mission.

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The Miraculous Medal Shrine, home of the Miraculous Medal Monday Novena, welcomes all visitors to our beautiful Shrine, located in the heart of Philadelphia. The Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal provides a sanctuary for prayer, meditation, and pilgrimage to God and to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Visitors are also encouraged to enjoy our Museum’s historical collection of Marian and religious artwork. The Shrine and Museum are run under the auspices of the Vincentian Community and The Central Association of the Miraculous Medal.

For 104 years, The Central Association of the Miraculous Medal (CAMM) has dedicated itself to spreading devotion to Mary Immaculate and her Miraculous Medal. CAMM also supports programs that assist the poor, the formation and education of seminarians, and care to the aged and infirm Priests and Brothers of the Vincentians’ Eastern Province. For more information about upcoming events at The Central Association of the Miraculous Medal and the Miraculous Medal Shrine, please visit www.MiraculousMedal.org.