depaul. vincentian values

Vincentians and the Papacy Symposium

Cassy DePaul University, Mission and Ministry, Vincent de Paul , , , ,

Call For Papers

Event date: Wednesday, April 29, 2026

DePaul University, Chicago, IL

The election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago native whose parents attended DePaul University, and whose chosen name, Leo XIV, connects him to his predecessor, Leo XIII—the author of Rerum Novarum, the major social encyclical of the nineteenth century—invites us to take a closer look at the connection between the Vincentian family and the papacy.

This one-day symposium organized by the Vincentian Studies Institute will take place on the campus of DePaul University. It welcomes papers from scholars and practitioners on any topic, past or present, connecting the Vincentian family—defined as all lay and religious, male and female branches, organizations, and community members with ties to Vincent de Paul—to the papacy. Possible topics could include:

  • Vincent de Paul’s journeys to Rome and efforts to establish the Congregation of the Mission.
  • The place of Vincentian personnel within the Vatican and papal administration.
  • The appointment by the Holy See of Vincentians as bishops or apostolic delegates in mission territories, and recourse to Rome in cases of local conflict.
  • Canonization causes of the Vincentian family ranging from the cases of Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac to present-day memory issues (such as the martyrs of the Spanish Civil War), to stories whose impact has faded (for example, the Chinese martyrs).

Twentieth-century topics and more contemporary studies might include:

  • The reception of the major social encyclicals—from Rerum Novarum (1891) to Fratelli tutti (2020)—within the Vincentian family.
  • Influences of missionary experiences on papal doctrine, as in the case of Vincent Lebbe (1877–1940), and the idea of inculturation.
  • The contribution of the Vincentian family to the Church’s Third World movement born of Populorum Progressio and the Medellín declaration.
  • The reform (aggiornamento) of male and female religious congregations following the decree Perfectae Caritatis (1965) that led to internal discussions, general assemblies, and revised constitutions.
  • Proximity and distance with the pontifical centers of power: Vincentian family interactions with dicasteries or pontifical commissions, such as those responsible for addressing poverty or for overseeing education.

These questions are not exhaustive and are intended to open avenues of exploration for our symposium, which will take place as a complement to the conference on Pope Leo (April 30-May 1) sponsored by the Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology at DePaul University. Presentations will be delivered in-person and may take the form of academic papers or experience-based contributions grounded in more personal testimony.

If your proposal is accepted, the Vincentian Studies Institute will contribute to transportation and housing expenses. Papers resulting from presentations will be considered for publication in the journal Vincentian Studies.

For more information contact Nathaniel Michaud, Director, Vincentian Studies Institute: NMICHAUD@depaul.edu

Seeds of the Mission: Morgen MacIntosh Hodgetts

bcicirel Seeds of Mission , , , ,

The Power of History to Build a Better Future

The history we tell shapes the culture we build. At DePaul, we look to our Vincentian legacy figures to inform our mission and day-to-day work. Central to the Vincentian mission is the commitment to upholding unheard stories and perspectives that may not be found in history books. DePaul’s library is home to special collections and archives that give direct accounts of those advocating for change in our world. From handwritten letters from our Vincentian family members to the work of Sr. Helen Prejean and the Berrigan family to the history of gentrification in Lincoln Park, students have access to first-hand accounts of a wide berth of information. They also have the support of library staff, who are committed to providing students with the guidance they need to feel confident analyzing primary sources.  

 A Vincentian approach to education equips students with tools to evaluate the context which is so critical to engaging in social justice in our times. As Vincentians, we believe it is not enough simply to learn information. Rather, we take time to reflect on how we can integrate that information into our daily lives. This stems from the Catholic tradition called see-judge-act, which invites us to observe what is going on in the world, analyze the situation, and put a plan in place for social action. In order to build a better future, we must first understand the work of the past. We do this reflective work in community and dialogue with others, whether they be modern-day peers or historical wisdom figures. It calls us to action rooted in a spirit of dignity and love.