For Vincent de Paul, simplicity, humility, and charity constitute the spirit of the Daughters of Charity (SV IX, 594-95). The word spirit, of course, means life. These three virtues are so important that without them … Read More
My Hopes for the Company of the Daughters of Charity
Over the past year many Daughters of Charity have asked me to express my hopes for the Company, as I did a year ago for the Congregation of the Mission. I have hesitated for a … Read More
Vincentian Formation in an African Context
My brothers, it is good that we are here. This is the first such meeting, on African soil, in the history of the Congregation. It is a sign of how important Africa has become in … Read More
Toward a New Evangelization. Reflections on the Congregation of the Mission
In times of renewal, “young men see visions and old men dream dreams,” the prophet Joel tells us (cf. JI 3:1; also Acts 2:17). Today I ask the Lord to stimulate all of us to … Read More
Some Hopes for the World-Wide Congregation
The prophet Joel tells us that young men will see visions and old men will dream dreams (Jl 3:1). As brothers in the Congregation, I hope that we can dream the same dreams so that … Read More
Was Pier Giorgio active in the St. Vincent de Paul Society?
Pier Giorgio belonged to so many Catholic organizations and clubs that it was impossible for him to attend meetings for all of them. But his affiliation with the Conference of St. Vincent de Paul was … Read More
The Ladies of Charity as a foundation in the United States
“In this talk, I propose to work through three themes: first, the relevance of the Ladies of Charity as St. Vincent’s first foundation; second, the relevance of the Ladies of Charity as a foundation in … Read More
Frederic Ozanam and the Establishment of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (07)
Chapter VII: Aiding Catholic emigrants In his speech at the Ozanam Centenary at Manchester, Cardinal Bourne urged upon the Society the necessity of assisting Catholic male emigrants in choosing where to settle, and, if possible, … Read More
Frederic Ozanam and the Establishment of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (06)
Chapter VI: Ozanam and Christian Democracy Ozanam lived in an age of revolution. Charles X. had been driven off the throne by the followers of Voltaire and Rousseau, whose sophisms and fallacies had shaken the … Read More
Frederic Ozanam and the Establishment of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (05)
Chapter V: The Centenary celebrations in Paris and Manchester A Centenary Celebration in the honour of Frederic Ozanam was solemnly held at Paris. It was an international meeting, and was attended by representatives of the … Read More