Before I start, I have to tell you that although I am not entirely in accord with all his conclusions, the most complete study on community life during the time of Saint Vincent is the … Read More
Saint Vincent and the laity
While preparing for this conference, I was about to change the title for one that I thought corresponded more to the reality. I thought that, instead of “Saint Vincent and the Laity” I should entitle … Read More
Vincentian Spirituality: Love
Louise de Marillac had placed herself under the direction of Vincent de Paul. At first she was focused on her own problems and exhibited a piety that revolved around the multiplication of religious devotions. At … Read More
Inculturation and the Vincentian Charisma: An overview
Remarks: When our General Superior asked me to speak to you about the above subject I gave it a thought and then decided to take up the offer mainly because he used the word “conference”. … Read More
An approach to a critical reading of the Founders’ writings
1. Knowing the Founders through their writings The first step to a critical reading of the Founders is knowing the Founders. As a help to knowing the Founders, luckily (or rather providentially), we have today … Read More
The Shadow Side of the Vincentian Mission
The Vincentian vocation is missionary by nature. The truth of this statement does not reside in the fact that some of us preach parish missions or travel to foreign lands. Those specific ministries arise out … Read More
Love is Creative Even to Infinity: On the Eucharist in the Vincentian Tradition
Within our Family, we often cite the saying of St. Vincent: “Love is creative even to infinity.” Ordinarily, we use this citation to motivate others to be creative pastorally, to respond to new forms of … Read More
Saint Vincent de Paul and Popular Devotion
Glancing through the small-advertisement page of a daily newspaper recently, my eye rested on the heading ‘Thanksgivings’ and reading down through it I found the usual half-dozen or so acknowledgements to various Devotions and Saints … Read More
St Vincent De Paul — A Guide for Priests Today
Some 45 years ago now, (English translation in 1932), a French diocesan priest the Abbe A’rnaud d’Agnel wrote a book entitled St Vincent de Paul a Guide for Priests, from which I have borrowed most … Read More
Charity in the Life of the Daughter of Charity
Saint Vincent describes the spirit of the Company very clearly (SV IX, 594-95): The spirit of your Company consists of three things: to love our Lord and to serve him in a spirit of humility … Read More
















