When Vincent founded the Vincentian priests, he called them the Congregation of the Mission: a community gathered for the sake of mission. Louise de Marillac took this vision even further when she co-founded the Daughters of Charity. 

She formed a community out of the poorest of the poor, creating home for them. She actually invited young peasant women into her personal space. She saw their potential, taught them to read and write and equipped them to make change in their communities. This kind of hospitality for a noble woman was unprecedented during her time, breaking social class barriers and opening new opportunities for women. 

This new vision included Daughters of Charity going out beyond the cloister to serve the community and meet people where they were at — in their homes or in the streets.  

“The Daughters of Charity have… for a convent, the houses of the sick; for cell, a rented room; for chapel, the parish church; for cloister, the streets of the city; for enclosure, obedience; for grille, the fear of God; and for veil, holy modesty.” CCD:X:530 

Reflection Questions:  

• How might you create spaces of radical hospitality just as Louise did?  

• What new vision of Vincentian service do we need to respond to the needs in our world today?  

• How does your VIA engagement go out beyond or break social barriers?