Working on a variety of important issues through UN NGO committees has taught me several critical lessons, the most instructive of which is how addressing problems from a multi-stakeholder perspective can yield more positive outcomes. Why is this, and how is it particularly Vincentian?
Saint Vincent de Paul taught that life should be a constant prayer, uniting the human heart with that of Jesus.
St. Catherine Labouré, although favored with the apparitions of the Virgin Mary, led an obscure life of silent dedication as a Daughter of Charity, devoting herself to the service of the needy until her death in 1876.
Every year, climate discussions at the UN grow more urgent as temperatures rise, extreme weather worsens, and vulnerable communities suffer disproportionately.
Blessed Enrichetta Alfieri lived a life shaped by deep spirituality and total dedication to serving society’s most marginalized. Her mission reached its peak within the walls of the San Vittore prison in Milan, where her work with inmates earned her the title “The Angel of San Vittore.”
The Vincentian Congregation, founded in 1904 in India by Father Varkey Kattarath, is a religious community inspired by St. Vincent de Paul, dedicated to evangelization, service to the poor, and spiritual renewal, with a mission rooted in charity and global outreach.
Saint Agostina Pietrantoni devoted her life to serving the sick and ultimately became a martyr of charity. Her example of selfless service, sacrifice, and love led to her canonization by Pope John Paul II in 1999, becoming the patron saint of nurses.
Blessed Maria Carola Cecchin was a nun of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph Benedict Cottolengo. Her life was characterized by a deep dedication to charity and missionary service, especially among the poor and sick of Kenya.
DePaul International has grown from its humble beginnings in 1989 to become a global leader in the fight against homelessness. Its work, inspired by the values of St. Vincent de Paul, continues to transform lives by offering not only shelter but also the opportunity for individuals to regain their dignity, independence, and place in society.
The Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception, inspired by the Vincentian charism, are a congregation dedicated to education, healthcare, and social justice, serving the poorest and most marginalized with charity and compassion since their founding in Canada in 1854.
The United Nations on September 20th had a very different feeling. Or vibe, as the younger generation would say.
The spirituality of Louis Guanella can be understood as a unique confluence of the spirituality of the “saints of charity” such as St. Francis of Assisi, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Joseph Cottolengo, and St. John Bosco, with the spirituality of the “saints of mystical contemplation” represented by St. Catherine of Siena and St. Teresa of Avila.
