Beginning in 2010 to mark the 350th anniversaries of the deaths of St. Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) and St. Louise de Marillac (1591-1660) the Special Collections department of the John T. Richardson Library of DePaul University will produce a monthly “Ex Libris” blog feature highlighting a select volume from its collection entitled “St. Vincent’s Reading list.”

“St. Vincent’s Reading List,” represents a variety of rare seventeenth century works that are known to have been read or recommended by St. Vincent (as evidenced by his own written testimony); can safely be presumed to have been read by him; or are political, legal, theological, or spiritual works published during his life that illustrate the major developments that were unfolding in France and thus impacted the saint personally, as well as impacting the development of his many works of evangelization and charity, and the groups he founded for these purposes.

Saint Vincent de Paul, (like many of the great saints of the Catholic Church,) retains his trans-historical significance through the centuries because succeeding generations can find in his life story great insights into how Christian discipleship can be lived today with authenticity and efficacy. This significance is only magnified when distorting mythic elements and remnants of pious hagiography give way to critical biography’s establishment of fact and context.

If Saint Vincent is to be more than the romantic subject of a pious holy card, or a statue with babe in arms, and if he is to take his place as a contemporary inspiration to service and advocacy, especially for those in our world who live at the margins, then understanding Monsieur Vincent on his own terms, and through his own “reading list” is of great importance.

To access these blogs please see the Vincentian research links on the main page of this site, or access here.