Author: bcicirel

“Caritas Christi Urget Nos”: The Urgent Challenges of Charity in Seventeenth Century France

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A 1656 royal decree outlawed begging and private almsgiving in Paris and forcibly confined persons who were poor in various institutions of the General Hospital. These measures were later mandated throughout France until 1715. The poor were treated as enemies of the state because of their numbers and the violence, crime, and social unrest that accompanied poverty. This was a radical shift in society’s perspective. During the Age of Faith, poverty was a sign of election since Christ chose to be poor. The poor had a right to seek charity and the rich were obligated to give it. In the Age of Reason, poverty was evidence of moral failure that was to be “corrected” in institutions. Though slow to respond at first, the Church revived its Christocentric theology of charity and became a powerful ally to poor persons. The efforts of Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac led this response. The Vincentian charism developed to serve the most abandoned and marginalized of the poor. The Vincentian discernment process is discussed, as is the legacy of charity. The diverse forms and causes of poverty in France are explained in detail.

“‘Caritas Christi Urget Nos’: The Urgent Challenges of Charity in Seventeenth Century France” is an article published in the journal Vincentian Heritage available at: https://via.library.depaul.edu/vhj/vol12/iss2/1/

Newsnote: Rare 1735 map of Paris acquired including detailed depiction of Saint-Lazare

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The Vincentian Collection at the Archives and Special Collections Department of DePaul University has acquired a rare map of Paris Jean Delagrive (1689-1757) Nicolas de La Mare (1639-1723) Neuvième plan de Paris ses accroissemens sous le règne de Louis XV. L’Etendüe de la ville et des faubourgs avec les bornes et limites qui y ont été posées en conséquence des déclarations du Roy des 18 juillet 1724 ; 29 janvier 1726 ; 23 mars et 28 sept 1728 et sous les ordres de Mm. les commissaires nommés par lettres patentes des 12 août 1724, et 29 mars 1728. Paris, 1735. 61,6 x 84,6 cm. Grand plan de Paris dressé et publié par l’abbé Delagrive en 1735, et le dernier de la série des 9 plans de Paris dressés pour le Traité de la Police, ouvrage publié par Nicolas Delamare entre 1722 et 1738. Il est orné d’un titre inscrit sur une draperie tenue par un ange et une femme ailée. En bas à gauche, le cartouche contenant la description du plan est orné de Minerve entourée d’amours dessinateurs, à laquelle Mercure rend visite. En haut à gauche, en carton, figurent les limites de La Chapelle et de La Villette. Contient une table de renvois : 1-58, une description des accroissements et embellissements, une explication des marques qui désignent les bornes dans ce Plan. RARE Plan très décoratif orné de ses 2 cartouches figuratifs. Sur papier vélin fort, en couleurs A l’origine ce plan était plié en 4. Jean Delagrive (né en 1689 à Sedan – mort en 1757) était un prêtre lazariste français, connu pour ses contributions à la cartographie et à la géométrie. Il a été le géographe attitré de la ville de Paris. Il était également membre de la Société Royale de Londres. Après de premières études en Ardennes, il vient à Paris et entre dans la congrégation de la Mission ou congrégation des prêtres de Saint-Lazare. Ordonné prêtre, il est envoyé en Pologne et enseigne ainsi la théologie à Cracovie en 1713. En 1714, il est de retour sur Paris et se consacre à la géométrie et à la cartographie. Il publie en 1718 le plan de la Capitale, publication qu’il estime trop imparfaite. Il en détruit les planches et s’attache désormais à obtenir des publications plus fidèles de ses relevés. Il est nommé géographe de Paris. Il est chargé notamment de cartographier le cours de la Seine et de ses affluents. Il publie également en 1740 un ouvrage sur Les Environs de Paris relevés géométriquement. Le premier atlas de Paris et de sa banlieue (qui n’est pas encore qualifiée de banlieue mais d’environs) ainsi que la première carte détaillée de la Seine sont conservés au département des cartes et plans. Ses travaux sont marqués par une grande exactitude, et par la qualité de leur édition. Il collabore avec César-François Cassini sur la détermination de la méridienne de l’Observatoire de Paris. Conseiller auprès de Colbert, l’abbé Delagrive est à l’origine de l’emplacement de l’Hôtel des Monnaies de Paris, quai de Conti. Le projet de transfert en cet immeuble a été dessiné en 1750. C’est sur l’une de ses cartes que serait apparu pour la première fois le nom des Champs-Elysées. Il n’oublie pas non plus sa passion pour la géométrie et publie notamment 1754 un manuel de trigonométrie sphérique. Ces travaux sont d’ailleurs cités dans l’Encyclopédie ou Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers.

The Cross in Vincentian Spirituality

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In this reading, Robert Maloney, C.M., “focuses on: 1) the cross in the New Testament; 2) the cross in the Vincentian tradition; 3) some problems in reflecting about the cross; 4) some reflections on the cross today.”

“The Cross in Vincentian Spirituality” is a chapter in the book He Hears the Cry of the Poor: On the Spirituality of Vincent de Paul (pp. 30-51) available at: https://via.library.depaul.edu/vincentian_ebooks/2/

From the book cover: “In He Hears the Cry of the Poor Robert Maloney addresses vital questions of religious communities today.  His vision is filled with hope and promise as he discusses the renewal of community and prayer life, the apostolate, and the growing international character of communities.  Throughout the book, Father Maloney puts into active and creative dialogue voices from the past and the present.  Vincent and his spiritual friends come alive, not only as a force in seventeenth century France, but as partners in conversation with men and women of today.  This book is an excellent resource and guide for those who follow a Vincentian spiritual life, as well as anyone who takes an active role in their Christian community.”

“The Cross in Vincentian Spirituality” appears also as an article in the Vincentian Heritage Journal, Volume 16, Issue 1, Article 1 (1995) available at: https://via.library.depaul.edu/vhj/vol16/iss1/1

 

On the Eminent Dignity of the Poor in the Church: A Sermon by Jacques Bénigne Bossuet

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Jacques Benigne Bossuet gave this public sermon at Vincent de Paul’s request in 1659. It was written during a time of unprecedented poverty, when the French government was forcing the poor into institutions. Bossuet’s sermon “represents a classic statement of the theology of the seventeenth century’s charitable revival.” Its thesis is that like Jesus, the Church reverses the order of the temporal world to mirror that of the kingdom of God. The rich have all the privileges and advantages of the world, but the kingdom of God and the Church belong to the poor. This is because Jesus chose to be poor as part of the new covenant. The rich may only gain the blessings of heaven if they respect and serve the poor, and this is their only admittance to the Church. Edward Udovic’s introduction to the sermon outlines Bossuet’s career, his relationship to Vincent de Paul, and Vincent’s influence on him.

“On the Eminent Dignity of the Poor in the Church: A Sermon by Jacques Benigne Bossuet” is an article in the journal Vincentian Heritage, Volume 13, Issue 1, Article 3 (1992) available at: https://via.library.depaul.edu/vhj/vol13/iss1/3/

Newsnote: Vincentian Research Library Purchase: Saint-Lazare as a juvenile detention center

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The Vincentian Research Library in Special Collections at DePaul University’s Richardson Library has recently purchased a 1696 manuscript entitled: “Arrests de la Cour de Parlement pour la correction des Enfans mineurs.” This document summarizes parlement’s decrees governing the incarceration of minors by their parents or guardians in Paris. The documents summarizes the decrees issues on 13 March 1673, 14 March 1678, and 27 October 1696. When Saint Vincent agreed to take possession of old Saint-Lazare in 1632 the Congregation of the Mission inherited seigneurial responsibilities for the administration of justice. In addition to wayward clerics, Saint-Lazare became a house of correction for juvenile youth. This fascinating document gives us new insights into Saint-Lazare as a penal institution during the Ancien Regime. The introduction to the document reads: “ARRESTS DE LA COUR DE PARLMENET…..Portant reglement general pour les Enfans mineurs que les Peres peuvent faire constituer prisonniers par correction dans la prison pour ce destinee, qui est a present celle de l’Officialite au lieu de Villeneuve sur Gravois, ou dans la Maison de Saint Lazare, jusques a l’age de vingt cinq ans, si ce n’est que les Peres ayent convole a de secondes noces; auquel case il ne le peuvent faire, non plus que les Mere tutrices & autres parens; sans l’Ordonnance de Lieutenant Civil du Chastelet; lequel pourra (si il le judge a propos) prendre l’avis de quelques uns des parents plus proches, tant du coste paternerl que maternel desdits Enfans mineurs.”

Vincent de Paul as Mentor

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When leading the Congregation or advising individual members, Vincent de Paul acted from spiritual principles as well as an understanding of psychology. He believed that everyone should follow God’s will by loving others and helping them to imitate Christ’s example of charity. By doing this, each served as a mentor to one another. He guided from both a paternal and fraternal perspective. While discipline and judgment were sometimes necessary, he more often dispensed advice and wisdom. Humility, empathy, gentle persuasion, suggestion, affirmation, and flexibility were the cornerstones of his leadership.

“Vincent de Paul as Mentor” is an article published in the Vincent Heritage Journal, Volume 27, Issue 2, Article 1 (2008) which is available at: https://via.library.depaul.edu/vhj/vol27/iss2/1/

 

Newsnote: Rare 19th century St. Vincent de Paul Clock acquired

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The Vincentiana Collection at DePaul University’s Archives and Special Collections recently acquired this spectacular and very rare mid- 19th century mantel clock featuring Saint Vincent de Paul entrusting a foundling to the care of a waiting Daughter of Charity. The clock movement was manufactured by Samuel Marti and Sons who were active in Paris in the second half of the 19th century. The bronze foundry and the artist remain to be identified.

Newnote: 19th century iron fireback with image of Vincent de Paul

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The Vincentiana Collection at the Archives and Special Collections Department of DePaul University’s Richardson Library has recently acquired this rare 19th century French cast iron fireback depicting Vincent de Paul in a typical pose with foundling and a young child. The dimensions are 28.35 in H x 25.79 in. W x 0.63 in. D.

The Complex but Necessary Union of Charity and Justice

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Meghan Clark discusses the relationship between charity and justice as set forth in two of Benedict XVI’s encyclicals, Deus Caritas Est and Caritas in Veritate, and then considers what Vincentian tradition contributes toward the understanding of that relationship. Clark writes, “What emerges is a model of cultivating solidarity through justice and charity as integral to the life of Christian discipleship.” Deus Caritas Est calls for direct service to those in need because it is only through charity and loving others that we are fully aware of God’s love for us. As Clark summarizes Caritas in Veritate, “Justice in relations is a precondition for living charity. . . . Both charity and justice are required for healthy relationships with God and neighbor.” Justice and charity require work toward the common good, and charity expands justice to include the marginalized. Clark defines the institutional nature of charity in the Church and explains how Vincent de Paul, Louise de Marillac, and their communities exemplify it. Vincent and Louise recognized that effective charity required organized personal and institutional responses to systemic injustice. Vincentian tradition seeks to foster solidarity through commitment to each person’s dignity and to nurture justice within all levels of society.

“The Complex but Necessary Union of Charity and Justice: Insights from the Vincentian Tradition for Contemporary Catholic Social Teaching” is an article that appears in the Vincentian Heritage Journal, Volume 31, Issue 2, Article 1 (2012) and is available at: https://via.library.depaul.edu/vhj/vol31/iss2/1