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 […]
The Vincentiana Collection of DePaul University’s Archives and Special Collections recently purchased a mid-19th century transferware plate depicting the battlefield nursing of the Daughters of Charity during the Crimean War. The produce was Geoffroy and Sons in Gien. Beginning in the mid-19th century these inexpensive transferware plates produced for decorative and collecting purposes became very […]
It is interesting that this 1859 print by the English engraver Matthew James Lawless (1837-1864). Mis-identifies the Daughters of Charity as “Sisters of Mercy.” The Daughters of Charity first came in England in 1847 so they were a relatively new feature on the English scene during the 19th century re-birth of English Catholicism after the […]
Leaving God for God: Daughters of Charity in Britain 1847-2017 Leaving God for God is a study of five generations of Catholic Sisters in Britain from 1847 to 2017 and of their wide-ranging ministries to people in poverty. Written with full access to the Daughters of Charity’s archives in London and Paris, this study assesses how […]
The Vincentian Question, “What Shall Be Done?” is framed in such a way that its answer implies action. When offering guidance on Charity to his confreres, the Daughters, the Confraternities, and to us, Vincent is clear: “Love of God and of neighbor is authenticated in visible action.” Charity is the true characteristic of the […]
The Vincentiana Collections of the Archives and Special Collections Department of DePaul University’s Richardson Library has recently acquired four very rare pre-revolutionary (18th century) hand-colored images depicting Daughters of Charity. These images are small (approx. 2 by 3 inches). The style of the sisters’ habits, the printing font, and type of paper all suggest this […]
This French press photo dated July 2, 1942 shows Daughters of Charity in Paris preparing packages to be sent to French prisoners of War in Stalag VIIa. Wikipedia has the following entry with respect to this camp:” Stalag VII-A (in full: Kriegsgefangenen-Mannschafts-Stammlager VII-A) was Germany’s largest prisoner-of-war camp during World War II, located just north […]
The Vincentiana Collection at the Special Collections Department at DePaul University recently acquired the memorial card for Sr. Helene Studler, a Daughter of Charity decorated for her work in the French Resistance during World War II. Here is a link to a 1989 Vincentian Heritage Article: http://via.library.depaul.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1072&… There is also a very informative Wikipedia article […]
Daughters of Charity’s school, Japan, Takaoka (before 1964). © Archives des Filles de la Charité, Paris. I’m delighted to announce the publication of an edited volume of essays about the Daugthers of Charity. More than twenty scholars have studied the history of the Sisters of St Vincent de Paul from 17th to 20th c. thanks to […]
Vincent de Paul was able to accomplish great works of charity because he was an extraordinary organizer and manager. His early experience at Chatillon-les-Dombes showed him the importance of organizing charity so that it could have effective, long-term results. Vincent’s methods are analyzed according to modern nonprofit organization theory, with particular emphasis on what […]