In the XIX century, for over 50 years, Sister Rosalie Rendu ministered to the poor in one of the most deprived neighborhoods of Paris city, while raising the consciousness of society to their needs. She … Read More
John Gabriel Perboyre
I Le Puech and Montauban 1802-1818 In his book on the Congregation of the Mission, Georges Goyau suggests that it would be a good idea to study the documentary evidence about the martyrdom of John … Read More
Blessed Miriam Teresa Demjanovich, S.C.: A Chronology
March 26, 1901 The last of seven children of Alexander and Johanna (Szuchy), Teresa Demjanovich was born in Bayonne, NJ. Her parents had emigrated from what is now northeastern Slovakia. March 31, 1901 Teresa was … Read More
Saints of the Vincentian Family
INTRODUCTION The purpose of this week is to be faithful to paragraph 50 of the Constitutions, which instructs us about our Vincentian Family. 50. We should cherish devotion to Saint Vincent and to the canonized … Read More
A Humble and Impassioned Witness to the Gospel
A Piedmontese priest of the 19th century was accustomed to say: “In Turin there are four saints: Don Bosco, Cottolengo, Don Cafasso, and Fr. Durando.” The last one mentioned is the least known, and has … Read More
Three Invitations of Blessed Fr. Marcantonio Durando to the Vincentian Family
1. An invitation to revive the spirituality of St. Vincent de Paul Fr. Marcantonio Durando, CM, was always “fascinated” by the spirituality of St. Vincent de Paul. Thanks to the presence of the Signori della … Read More
Blessed Louis Joseph Francois. Part IV – End
On Saturday morning, the 1st of September, a copy of the decree of transportation for refractory priests was handed to the Superior; it deceived everybody with a hope of deliverance from death. That afternoon, many … 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
Blessed Louis Joseph Francois. Part III
On April 6th, 1792, the Legislative Assembly sup-pressed all secular Congregations of men or women, even those devoted to hospitals and schools. Then it forbade the ‘wearing of religious or ecclesiastical, dress, and in May, … Read More
Blessed Louis Joseph Francois. Part II
After the decree, all persons holding Church property and benefices were obliged to draw up a detailed account of it for the authorities. Father Francois showed his buildings of Saint Firmin’s to be heavily mortgaged, … Read More