Vincentian Encyclopedia
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What is the Vincentian Encyclopedia?
It is a collaborative effort to create a Vincentian encyclopedia of articles and other information useful for those who follow Vincent, Louise and their spiritual companions: a resource for those who are part of the Vincentian family and for others seeking reliable information on people, topics, and organizations related to the Vincentian family.
Featured Article
St. Vincent dePaul
Vincent had a passion for the poor and a genius for networking and organizing others to meet the full range of needs, both material and spiritual, of those who live on the margins of society.
St. Vincent DePaul (1581-1660) was not only the founder of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) but also the Daughters of Charity, the Confraternities of Charity and Ladies of Charity (1617).
A man of deep faith and enormous creativity, he is known as the "father of the poor" and "Universal Patron of Charity". His contributions to the education of priests and services for the poor shaped our church's role in the modern world.
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Vincentian Vocabulary | Who We Are | Where We Serve | What We Do | Our History | Our Spirituality | Working Together | Youth | Research
27 April in History
1657: Conference of Vincent de Paul in Saint Lazare on the virtues of the first brother of the Jean Jourdain, who died in the Mother House, two days earlier. He was born in Galluis-le-Queue, in the department of Seine-et-Oise in 1587, and entered the Congregation on February 13, 1627. Vincent emphasized his great cordiality to all of the Congregation, which led him to embrace and kiss everyone who approached.
1659: Conference Vincent de Paul to the Daughters of Charity on the virtues of Sister Barbara Angiboust, who died on December 27, 1658 at Hôtel-Dieu de Châteaudun, where he served the sick. In the age of twenty-nine, she was received into the Company by Louise de Marillac herself on July 1, 1634. She was one of four Daughters of Charity who took vows in the Company on March 25, 1642, along with Louise de Marillac. She was Superioress of the houses in Saint-Germain-en-Laye (1638), Richelieu (1638), Saint-Denis (1645), Fontainebleau (1646), Brienne (1652), Bernay (1655) and Châteaudun (1657). In 1641 she guided the sisters who were serving the galleys.
1830: In Paris, the novena ordered by Bishop de Quélen to mark the celebrations of the Translation, knows a great success. The number of pilgrims is increasing every day. >From four o'clock in the morning, the faithful await the opening of the chapel, and the influx lasts up to seven o'clock in the evening. Nobody wants to withdraw without having to touch the relics one or more objects. The Masses are celebrated without interruption since four o'clock in the morning until noon.
1916: At Alitiena, Ethiopia, Abba Tesfa Selassie entered the Congregation. He was a priest since 1897, and as pastor in Messerrah then in Alitiena, he already showed that no sacrifice, no deprivation can make his apostolic zeal. All his childhood, he heard about the school run by Vincentians in Alitiéna. He wanted to attended the school, but his powerful father, head of Iddagheda, has forbidden him to do it. The boy escaped paternal hands, and returned to Alitiena expressing his desire to become Catholic. He had to wait for the death of his father to join the Roman Church and to study in the seminary in Keren, directed by Vincentians. Abba Tesfa Selassie, achieved respectability throughout Ethiopia and played beneficial role for the Catholic missions of which he was defender from local leaders. His long life was fruitful, especially in the Choa, where he had been for forty years. On 17 April 1948, was found dead in his bedroom, though the evening before had heard confessions.
1941: In Rome, died Fr Giuseppe Angiuli, Treasurer of the International House. Born in southern Italy. He came to the Congregation, not knowing a word of French, making all his studies in France, the Berceau and Dax, where he was ordained a priest on July 17, 1910. His frankness and cordiality, at the same time what his zeal and piety helped him be balanced in Salonika, in Algiers, where he was a missionary for fourteen years, and in Rome where he was since 1932.
Vincentian People, Places and Ideas
Many people in the Society and Church of Vincent de Paul's time had an influence on his life and work.
- Vincentian Heritage People provides backgrounds of the lives of some of these people.
Some of those who follow Vincent's approach to proclaiming the Gospel are recognized at Saints and Blessed by the Church.
- Vincentian Family Saints offers more information on these people.
There are reminders in many places in France of the life of Vincent de Paul.
- Vincentian Heritage Places provides details of some of these places.
Vincent and Louise were masters in fostering collaboration among groups that normally had little contact.
Former Superior General, Fr. Robert Maloney, CM often pointed out how the circle of poverty is increasing.
He reminded people that more than ever we need to expand the "circle of solidarity" and often invited us to be creative especially in reaching out to the young.
Reflection for Sunday Readings
- Clothe Ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ
Jesus lets us know that God calls us all to his kingdom. Besides, Jesus shows us how to clothe ourselves with him, so we may be of those whom God chooses.
- Full reflection: Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A-2023
- Dare the Wise and Learned to Be Truthful
Jesus is the sign of contradiction. He brings to light what we harbor in our hearts. He cannot but dare us to be truthful.
- Full reflection: Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A-2023
Getting to Know the Vincentian Family
In the more than 300 years since Vincent and Louise died many have been inspired to walk in their footsteps. Collectively they are known as the Vincentian Family. The following section is devoted to information about what is common and unique in the ways these people walking in the "way of Vincent."
Vincentian-Setonian Researchers
The Congregation of the Mission history project described below is but one example of what the followers or Vincent and Louise are studying and writing about. Many others are researching and writing.
- Vincentian-Setonian Researchers is the place for people to describe the work they are engaged in and the kind of things they would find helpful in their work.
Other Uses of this resource
How to post news of your Vincentian ministry
Following this link will take you to a list of Vincentian ministries.
As this encyclopedia grows in viewership your organization will receive additional visibility if it is listed here.
Using this site to collaborate on a document
Consider yourself as a member of a committee charged with writing an article on Vincentian formation.
History of the Congregation of the Mission Project
Fr. John Rybolt, CM, and others are currently writing a projected five volume history of the Congregation of the Mission.
The project began in 1992. Upon the death of José MarÃa Romón Fuentes, C.M., Father John Rybolt was appointed to continue the work begun byJosé MarÃa Romón Fuentes, C.M., and Luigi Mezzadri, C.M.
This began in 2004, resulting first in an outline of the entire work, divided into four volumes: Vol. III: From the French Revolution to 1843; Vol. IV: 1843-1878; Vol. V: 1878-1915; Vol. VI: 1915-1984. We conclude at 1984, it being the year of approval of the new Constitutions.
The following segments are the first in a series of articles concerning the history of the Congregation following the French Revolution.
Additional Technical Resources
Wikipedia article on "How to Edit"
Wiki Help http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents
For information on how to write a great VincentWiki article visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:How_to_write_a_great_article
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