vincentian history
Praying with Louise de Marillac – Introduction
Louise de Marillac was a wife, mother, widow, teacher, nurse, director of the Confraternities and Ladies of Charity, and cofounder with Vincent de Paul of the Daughters of Charity. Patron of Social Workers, Louise knew personal suffering, and she also knew the suffering of God’s poor people. She was an organizer, a radical thinker who lived life intensely and whose quest was to do the will of God with a deep faith in divine providence.
Praying with Louise de Marillac is a book in the Companions for the Journey series of meditation guides on Christian spirituality. Authored by Audrey Gibson, DC, and Kieran Kneaves, DC, it was published by Saint Mary’s Press, Christian Brothers Publications, Winona, Minnesota, in 1995. ISBN O-88489-329-4 Copies may be obtained directly from the publisher or on-line at www.amazon.com
The Woman Elizabeth Ann Seton: 1804–1812
Mary Donovan examines Elizabeth Seton’s experience as a widow and as a mother of a teen daughter and explores the impact of two of Elizabeth’s closest relationships. In these years, the most important relationships in Elizabeth’s life were with her husband’s friend Antonio Filicchi, who played a great role in her conversion, and her daughter Anna. After her husband’s death, Elizabeth had to construct a new identity for herself, and the process is best documented in her correspondence with Filicchi. The two struggled with affection for each other, but ultimately she looked on him as a spiritual friend and he acted as her benefactor. Elizabeth found it difficult to believe she could love her children deeply without losing God’s love but eventually reconciled the two. With time, she learned to put Anna’s needs ahead of her own and respected Anna’s initial reluctance to join the Sisters of Charity. Anna’s death led Elizabeth to greater trust in God.
“The Woman Elizabeth Ann Seton: 1804-1812” is an article in the Vincentian Heritage Journal, Volume 14, Issue 2, Article 4 available at: https://via.library.depaul.edu/vhj/vol14/iss2/4
The Formative Years of a Saint: Vincent de Paul: 1595–1617
This investigation of Vincent de Paul’s formative years reveals his humanity and shows his sanctity was achieved slowly, not as the result of dramatic events as tradition holds. The first part of this work covers the period between his schooling in Dax and his 1605 disappearance. The second explores the Tunisian captivity. The third consists of the time between his arrival in Paris and the mission at Folleville. The main assertions follow. Vincent probably was ordained earlier than the prescribed age of twenty-four. Such irregular ordinations were common at the time. Contrary to tradition, he did contest the possession of the parish of Tilh. The Tunisian captivity probably never occurred. The letters Vincent wrote describing it are genuine, but have many inconsistencies. Moreover, he never spoke about this time. He was distressed when the letters were rediscovered and attempted to get them back and have them destroyed. The embellishments, inaccuracies, and controversy surrounding this tradition are explained in detail. Finally, modern scholarship holds that Vincent had a gradual conversion. The stories about the false accusation of theft and the temptation against faith are untrue. The rebuttal to the first is given at length, while the one for the second is a summary.
“The Formative Years of a Saint: Vincent de Paul: 1595-1617” is an article published in the Vincentian Heritage Journal, Volume 13, Issue 2, Article 1 (1992) available at: https://via.library.depaul.edu/vhj/vol13/iss2/1
‘There Is Great Charity, But…’ Vincent de Paul and the Organization of Charity
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 he said and did regarding “foundation, mission and structure.” He attached special importance to meetings and staffing issues. The article also addresses how his ways of organizing can be applied to charity in the twenty-first century.
“There is Great Charity, But…Vincent de Paul and the Organization of Charity” is an article by Thomas G. Fuechtmann, Ph.D., appearing in the Vincentian Heritage Journal, Volume 26, Issue 1, Article 5 available at: https://via.library.depaul.edu/vhj/vol26/iss1/5
Vincent de Paul: A Saint Who Got His Worlds Together
Thomas McKenna explains how Vincent de Paul “integrat[ed] the life of faith with so-called secular existence” and “examines his way of blending a spiritual vision with the hard-nosed world of finance and business.” For McKenna, this blending is the key to Vincent’s saintliness. He knew that human welfare had to include “spiritual and material aspects.” He used his business acumen, which is described in detail, to support his many ministries. These were intended to align society with the kingdom of heaven. Vincent focused on improving the lives of the poor because Christ was to be found in them, and they were to be first in the kingdom. McKenna discusses the questions that Vincent’s life raises in us, especially in our perceptions of the poor and how business should work. He also looks at the way the lives of the saints can influence modern faith. He says it is important to tell the stories of saints’ lives so that people can imagine themselves participating in the saints’ worlds. They can draw their own lessons from such an exercise.
“Vincent de Paul: A Saint Who Got His Worlds Together” is an article by Fr. Thomas McKenna, C.M., published in 1997 in the Vincentian Heritage Journal and is available at: https://via.library.depaul.edu/vhj/vol18/iss1/1
The Ecological Spirituality of Elizabeth Ann Seton
We are living in an unprecedented age when ecological concern is rising as the most critical issue for humanity. It is not a lack of scientific knowledge that makes environmental problems so difficult to solve, but rather human arrogance. There are ecologists, however, who draw upon religious traditions to establish models for a healthy and harmonious relationship between nature and humanity. Sr. Sung-Hae Kim interprets the writings of Elizabeth Ann Seton from the perspectives of four contemporary ecological philosophers: Arne Naess, Anthony Western, Murray Bookchin, and Aldo Leopold. Sr. Kim presented the four characteristics that emerge as constitutive elements in Seton’s own ecological spirituality, and which marry contemporary ecological philosophy to Elizabeth Seton’s world-view. Lecture was recorded at Richardson Library at DePaul University on April, 27, 2016.
Louise de Marillac Lecture: Energized by the Fire of Charity
Sr. Peggy O’Neill, is a Sister of Charity and long-time peace activist, who has worked in El Salvador for the past 30 years. Her life is dedicated to the causes of peace, justice and service to others. Known for her energy, determination, sense of humor and unflagging commitment to the community, she currently serves as the founder of El Centro Arte Para la Paz. In this lecture she talks more about her healing work, how it connects to Louise de Marillac, and the roles of Vincentian leaders in our world.
Lecture: The role of trust in the Vincentian Missions in North Africa (1645-1689)
Quarterly DeAndreis-Rosati Memorial Archives (DRMA) Lecture
Lecturer: Thérèse Peeters
Lecture originally given on 3/1/16 at DePaul University
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