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
1 May in History
1636: Louise de Marillac left the first Mother House, at rue de Versailles, and moved to la Chapelle area which became a second Maison-Mere of the Company. On the front of the house turned to a coffee shop a commemorative table was placed to remember the fact.
1646: Conference of Vincent de Paul to Daughters of Charity on indifference. Vincent, who was surprised to see Daughters gathered despite he had sent notice to postpone the conference, said that he had been prepared to talk to three or four sisters who were starting establishement in Mans, but because that the notice did not arrive, he would say something about the indifference that had to be practiced in houses and jobs and on the qualities that should take the Daughters who are sent and means of achieving this.
1648: Conference of Vincent de Paul for Daughters of Charity about proper use of instructions given by superiors at the conferences and beyond. Vincent developed importance of the conferences, which he said, were instituted by the same Jesus Christ, who with his apostles in conferences established his Church.
1649: In Rome, Edmond Jolly, future third Superior General, was ordained a priest. He arrived in the Eternal City a year ago after eighteen months of seminary in Saint Lazare. Vincent de Paul thought that this twenty-six years man would be a good relief for the confreres in Rome.
1649: Margarita Chétif, succeeding Louise de Marillac as superioress general enters the Company of Daughters of Charity. She was daughter of Louis and Mary Lavoisne from the parish of Saint Sulpice in Paris. She was baptized on September 8, 1621. In 1653 she was proposed for mission in Poland, but war stopped her in Rouen. She became first sister servant of the house in Arras (1656-1660). From 1667 to 1670 she was Directoress of the Seminary, and then she was sent to serve in hospital in Angers. In 1674 she became Treasurer General and next, in 1677 was appointed Superioress at the hospital of Nom-de-Jésus. At the end of her life she returned to the Maison-mere where she worked on scriptures, visited the poor from St. Laurent parish and helped in the Sacristy. She died in the infirmary on January 9, 1694 at midnight. She kept carefully and gathered all that concerned our Holy Mother and gave these documents to Fr Gobillon to compose the first biography of St. Louise.
1844: The first retreat for Daughters of Charity is preached in the Mother House of the Daughters of Charity in Paris. It was a project Fr. Jean-Baptiste Étienne prepared and matured for some time. He was glad, that it could happen despite great difficulties. He himself said in the circular dated August 4, that his heart was filled and exceeded his expectations.
1889: Arrival of first Daughters of Charity to Prizren (presently in Kosovo) to establish a school and clinic.They were invited by Bishop Czrew, bishop of Uskub (Turkish name for Skopje).
1927: In church of Our Lady of Seven Dolors in Ning-po, China, Fr André Defebvre CM is ordained bishop. Ceremony is presided by bishop Hou, a Vincentian, who was one of the first six Chinese bishops consecrated in Rome by Pope Pio XI on October 28, 1926. Bishop Faveau, also Vincentian and bishop Simon Tsu, a Jesuit, were other attending prelates. This day was unprecedented, since it was the first time when Chinese bishop provided episcopal consecration.
1954: At 7 o'clock in the evening, whole community of Maison-Mere gathers in the prayer room to officially receive text of Constitutions, renewed and revised according to the Code of Canon Law, from hands of Fr William Slattery, Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission. The ceremony follows in the same way as the one held on May 17, 1658 when Vincent de Paul distributed the book of Common Rules to first Priests of the Mission. On this occasion, the Father General was standing before the altar of the prayer room, and each of the priests and brothers who have taken votes, was approaching, in order of vocation, to kneel before the successor of St. Vincent and kissing the book of the Constitutions and his stretched hand . The ceremony ended with singing of the Magnificat.
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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