On July 2nd, 2016 (within the context of the XLII General Assembly of the Congregation of the Mission), Father Tomaž Mavrič, in his first homily, invited us to rediscover and develop the mystical dimension of … Read More
Vincent and Peace
Peace in the Seventeenth Century With the exception of some brief periods of time, the seventeenth century in which Saint Vincent lived was a century of wars: sequels to religious war, heart rending civil wars … Read More
The Paths of God and the Poor: The Spiritual Journey of Saint Vincent de Paul
The many branches that compose the Vincentian Family, groups spread out across the five continents, have received a grace that has joined them together in carrying out a specific mission in the midst of the … Read More
Saint Vincent de Paul, a biography 08 – The discovery of a vocation
Chapter VIII: The discovery of a vocation A breed of captains On Bérulle’s instructions, M. Vincent left his parish in Clichy towards the end of 1613 and settled with his few belongings in the Paris … Read More
Saint Vincent de Paul, a biography 07 – The paths of conversion
Chapter VII: The paths of conversion A decisive year It is generally accepted by the Saint’s biographers that at this period Vincent de Paul was going through a process of conversion. By “conversion” we understand, … Read More
Saint Vincent de Paul, a biography 06 – From Rome to Paris, a change of scene
Chapter VI: From Rome to Paris, a change of scene Third project: third failure. Once again we are back in Rome with our Vincent de Paul in the palace of Mgr. Montorio. Vincent has embarked … Read More
Saint Vincent de Paul, a biography 05 – Fiction or historical fact? A serious problem for the critics
Chapter V: Fiction or historical fact? A serious problem for the critics A long‑standing controversy We could continue happily with our story if we didn’t have to contend with the serious historical problem that we … Read More
Saint Vincent de Paul, a biography 04 – The story of his captivity
Chapter IV: The story of his captivity An unexpected legacy Let us now read the letters that Vincent de Paul, in his old age, had tried so hard to destroy. In the early months of … Read More
Saint Vincent de Paul, a biography 03 – Plans and setbacks
Part two: The years of pilgrimage and apprenticeship (1600 ‑ 1617) Chapter III: Plans and setbacks The first project No sooner is Vincent ordained than it seems he achieved the objective he had so much … Read More
Saint Vincent de Paul, a biography 02 – A promising adolescence
Chapter II: A promising adolescence “Paris is well worth a Mass” The years 1593, 1594 and 1595 were important ones for France and it was at this very time that the peasant from Pouy decided to … Read More