St. Louise received the Light of Pentecost (her “Lumière” Experience)
On the feast of Pentecost, June 4, 1623, Louise, while at prayer, had a vision in which she saw herself serving the poor and living the evangelical counsels in community. She wrote this “lumière”, or Pentecost experience, on parchment and carried it with her as a reminder that despite her difficulties, God was guiding her life.
Mater Dolorosa: Keeping Company with Mary near the Cross
Many English-speaking Catholics of a certain age, will recall the Stabat Mater hymn (“At the cross her station keeping”) that was so much a part of the praying of the “Stations of the Cross” during the Lenten season: At the Cross her station keeping, stood the...
Pilgrimage to the tomb of Blessed Marta Wiecka
Marta Wiecka was a Sister from the Congregation of the Daughters of Charity, who sacrificed her life out of love for her neighbors. She is buried at a Sniatyn cemetery, not far from the chapel of St. John of Nepomuk, whom she venerated. The faithful used to come and...
New President SSVP #election16president #generalassembly2016
Congratulations to Renato Lima de Oliveira, new International President of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul!
The Charity of Christ #famvin400
The charity of Christ urges me. A while ago, I wrote an editorial on women and the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the charism. After reading this article on .famvin about the role of women in the enfleshment of the charism of Charity some 400 years ago, two...
Sister Carol Keehan, DC, honored with First Humankindness Award
On May 19, Sister Carol Keehan, DC, received the first Humankindness in Health Care Award at the Dignity Health Foundation’s inaugural Humankindness Gala. The award recognizes individuals whose humanitarian contributions have made a profound impact on their...
How St. Vincent went from retail to wholesale
The story of the impact of one of Vincent early sermons is well known in Vincentian circles, especially among the Ladies of Charity. Indeed, it is their “foundation story.” Four hundred years later that story is still being told. But it is a story with even wider...
Pope Francis’ calls to aid Syrian families: A Vincentian Family Response
Pope Francis is urging Catholics to aid those who are suffering in Syria due to the ongoing conflict in the country, both in prayer and by taking in refugee families. Last Wednesday, June 1 (International Children’s Day), Pope Francis called on Catholics and...
Association of the Miraculous Medal
In order to spread devotion to Mary as Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, an Association was formed shortly after the first medals were distributed in 1832. Gradually, other associations were established elsewhere in the world. It was not until 1905 that Pope Saint Pius X officially recognized the associations.
‘Tis a Gift to be Simple – New Vincentian Resource
In his “Profile of a Lay Vincentian in the 21st Century,” former Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission, Robert P. Maloney, wrote: “But the mission of the 21st-century Vincentian layperson will be based not merely on an energetic...
