July 19, 1813: First Vows of the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph’s in Emmitsburg, Maryland, USA

On July 19, 1813, vows were pronounced for the first time by Elizabeth Ann Seton and 17 other Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph’s who adapted the vow formula of the French Daughters of Charity.

If Moccasins Could Speak!

Have you ever walked a mile in another’s moccasins? … in the moccasins of their sufferings?

Everyone Deserves a Home #famvin2024

In only 6 years, from 2018 to 2023, the FAMVIN Homeless Alliance (FHA) has provided over 10,000 formerly homeless people with secure housing and access to other support services.

A Vincentian View: Francis de Sales

Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac both held Saint Francis de Sales in high esteem. 

The Church of Corinth – is the Past Prologue?

In “The Tempest,” Shakespeare wrote, “What’s past is prologue!” Antonio is rationalizing the past as setting the stage for their next act, as a prologue does in a play.

Talking About Racism

Talking About Racism

With Racism a persistent and cross-cultural problem, Vincentians need to be at least participants and perhaps leaders in the necessary conversations. The Leadership Learning Community shares good information on how to do this. In case you need a refresher, systemic,...

All our Work Consists in Action

All our Work Consists in Action

St. Vincent was fond of the classic adage, "Totum opus nostrum in operatione consistit." "All of our work consists in action." Or, again, "All our works end up in action." or, more loosely, "Action is our entire task." This applies to everyone, especially leaders....

A Vincentian View: Beauty and the Beast

A Vincentian View: Beauty and the Beast

A Vincentian View: Beauty and the Beast As a child, like most of you, I heard and read the story of “Beauty and the Beast” many times. As an adult, I saw the animated Disney Movie (with Angela Lansbury beautifully singing the title song) and a Broadway version. Now,...

Seeing Better and Systemic Change

Seeing Better and Systemic Change

In his wonderful new book Vincentian Meditations, Tom McKenna has a chapter on “seeing better.” He asks “what does standing under Vincent’s influence do to an individual?” And one response is that one can see better. That can mean many things but it might would...

Knowledge for Christian Service

Knowledge for Christian Service

Knowledge of Christ is what matters above all.  Those who know him receive in trust keys of authority to serve others faithfully and caringly. The Father, Lord of heaven and earth, gives to the childlike the knowledge he hides from those who are wise.  Peter is among...