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.

Intersections

Intersections

“Those on top, like politicians and church leaders, talk a lot about peace, but not about justice, because speaking of peace sounds good to others on top and to the naïve on the bottom, but to speak of justice sounds bad to those on top because it opens the eyes of...

Better for Us Is Shame, Rather Than Praise

Better for Us Is Shame, Rather Than Praise

Jesus is the embodiment of the truth that it is better to receive shame than praise from the world. The world cannot accept the Word.  The Word is in the world but the world does not know him even.  Though coming to his own, the Word is still not acceptable.  Worldly...

On Love of God

On Love of God

One of the contemporaries of St. Vincent who influenced him on his journey of conversion was St. Francis de Sales. The two famous books of St. Francis de Sales, namely, “Love of God” and “Introduction to Devout Life,” played an important role in his spiritual growth....

Inspired to Serve

Inspired to Serve

Coming into contact with a Vincentian University has changed many lives. From their "10 under 10" series, here's a story of someone inspired by the charism at St. John's University. When the financial crisis hit, Elisa Sciortino was a recent St. John’s graduate who...

400th Anniversary Prayer in Four Languages

400th Anniversary Prayer in Four Languages

“Lord, revive within the Vincentian Family the flame of the Charism, that flame which has animated our missionary life for 400 years.” Here is the 400th-anniversary prayer if you have not seen it yet. The prayer is available in four languages: English, Portuguese,...