Introduction As far as the poor were concerned, the social fabric of seventeenth-century France was a tapestry of loathing, fear and of repressive measures. The first part of this article traces the development of these … Read More
For your love alone
Paris was burning. The French themselves had set it on fire. Great piles of gray, yellow and black smoke poured from some of the city’s magnificent buildings, bearing on their filthy billows, the harsh odors … Read More
Remembering the missionary who embraced China
When Belgian Lazarist Father Vincent Lebbe arrived in China in 1901 he had a marked effect on Christianity in the country and in the northeast city of Tianjin in particular. He was vicar general of … Read More
Saint Louise de Marillac’s Uncle: Louis XIII’s Garde des Sceaux, Michel de Marillac (1560-1632)
The name Louise de Marillac, writes Louise Sullivan, D.C., “has largely remained hidden” in the “shadow” of her famous mentor and colleague, Vincent de Paul. A similar shadow has, until recently, hidden the reputation of … Read More
The Irritable Saint and the King of Love: St. Vincent de Paul
Chesterton once said that the difference between a sinner and saint is not that the saint doesn’t sin. The difference is that the saint knows they’re a sinner. This is what strikes me with St. … Read More
Théodoric Pedrini C.M., The Emperor’s Musician
(1670-1747) During the latter part of the 18th century the Vincentians were asked by the Holy See to replace the Jesuits in various countries: Prussia, the Ottoman Empire, and especially China. However, even before this … Read More
René Alméras, C.M.
Background and Early Life Fr René Alméras CM was the second Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission, and the immediate successor of Vincent de Paul. Elected in January 17, 1661 following the death … Read More
Ministry amongst the SugarCane
When St Vincent de Paul founded the Congregation of the Mission in 1625, he soon found that being restricted to a particular diocese tended to hinder the work of the Missioners. Accordingly, he managed to … Read More
Vincentian Family Tree
Catholic Institutes of Consecrated Life And Societies of Apostolic Life 1.1 Institutes founded by Vincent de Paul. FRANCE Congregation of the Mission (Lazarists or Vincentian Fathers and Brothers) Company of the Daughters of Charity of … Read More
The Community Project
1. Importance The Constitutions give us a practical way of renewing community life: the Community Project. This can a very efficacious means for renewal if the members accept it as a “covenant.” If by dialogue … Read More