“Personalism … gave me metaphysical and philosophical grounding for the idea of a personal God, and it gave me a metaphysical basis for the dignity and worth of all human personality.” Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.[1] Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the most inspiring and influential figures of the twentieth century, not only […]
The great genius and the challenge of the Vincentian way lies in simultaneously bringing together a keen attention and care for the dignity and uniqueness of each person, particularly those who are marginalized, with a zeal to do good well: that is, to improve systems that are ineffective and to innovate thoughtfully and creatively to […]
To any member of the Vincentian Family, the question “What must be done?” is a familiar one. Vincent cautioned us by advising that whatever it is, it must be done well. Yet, this begs the question: What does doing it well mean? Here, Ed Udovic, C.M., explores the mutually indispensable aspects of Vincentian Personalism […]
Written by: Euan Hague, PhD, Vincent de Paul Professor of Geography and Director of the School of Public Service and the Student Urban Research Corps. Recipient of the Cortelyou-Lowery Award from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences in 2024. In a letter to Monsieur Horcholle written in June 1650, Vincent stated, “I will […]
Written by: Siobhan O’Donoghue, PhD, Director of Faculty and Staff Engagement, Division of Mission and Ministry No matter how long you may have worked or studied at DePaul, I am pretty sure that by now you will have become familiar with the Vincentian question, “What must be done?” This pivotal question was originally asked of […]
As this past academic year was nearing its end, I was eagerly awaiting an upcoming summer trip. A close friend of mine turned fifty this summer and coordinated an adventure for a group of friends to stay in a château in the south of France for a week. Having worked at DePaul for over a […]
Recently, I was asked, “What is at the heart of DePaul and its mission?” After a brief pause, I responded that, for me, what best captures the heart of our mission is the concept frequently referenced here: Vincentian personalism. In my thinking and experience, Vincentian personalism is the foundational building block for all else that […]
What does it mean for our beloved Vincentian mission to be integrated effectively into the daily life and work of the university community, in and out of the classroom? This question is often top of mind for those of us working in Mission and Ministry and for many leaders for mission across the institution. Collectively, […]
It has long been a tradition at DePaul to hold service days during which students, faculty, and staff participate in community-based projects all over Chicago. Service is in the DNA of any Vincentian institution, and service days are just one small way in which we live out this commitment. Every year the Division of Mission […]
When the world feels bleak, I worry that I’m not doing enough. How can I justify my comfortable life when migrants are sleeping on the floors at Chicago police stations? Shouldn’t I show up to more protests and direct actions? How can I be in solidarity? What must be done? In response, I often ask […]