CHARISM

While he was exercising his ministry in Gannes and, on the 25th of January 1617, in Folleville, he saw that the evangelization of the poor was an urgent need. He himself holds that this was the origin of his vocation, and of the Congregation of the Mission.

 When, in August of the same year in Chatillon-les-Dombes, he founded "La Charite" [The Confraternities of Charity] to assist the sick who lacked all help, he discovered for himself, and showed others, the close link that exists between the evangelization and the service of the poor.

Gradually his religious development led to contemplating and serving Christ in the person of the poor. The vision of Christ, sent by the Father to evangelize the poor, was central to his life and ministry.

  Hearing the call of people in the world of his own day, learning to listen with an ever more intense love of God and of poor people who were burdened with hardships of all kinds, Vincent felt himself called to alleviate sufferings of every sort. (From the Introduction to the Constitutions of the Congregation)

Vincent's Way - Australian Province

Resource Book for Vincentian Morning and Evening Prayer

Notes for a Novitiate Course on Vincentian Studies. - John Prager (1995)

Inculturation and the Vincentian Charisma: An Overview - J. W. M. Ermers Vincentiana (1996), 277

Vincentian Charism and Spirit (Sr. J. Elizondo) Vincentiana (1998)

Vincentian Resources: Communication Tools in Spreading the Vincentian Gospel

 

Statements about charism and collaboration from the 1998 General Assembly