1673. Madeleine de Lamoignon, on behalf of the Ladies of Charity of Rennes signed with Mother Nicole Haran, Sister Francoise Carcireux and Sister Barbara Bailly contract of the establishment of three sisters to serve the poor patients -- not the rich people -- of the city of Rennes. The Ladies of Charity undertook payment of compensation to the Sisters for their upkeep.

1674'. In the bay of Fort Dauphin, all French from southern Madagascar embark the Blanc Pignon ship. In the last days of August 1674, the Malagasy rebels came to massacre frenchmen installed in the Anosy region: two brothers of the Mission, Pierre Guillaume and Gallet Pillars were among the victims. Among the sixty-three passengers on of board the Blanc Pignon, were two Vincentian Marin Roguet and Michel Montmasson, and two brothers, Jean Bourguin and Gerard Minser. In 1671 Fr. Alemras decided to withdraw our confrers from Madagascar but he wanted to make the final decision after the second General Assembly. The return journey of Blanc Pignon lasted nearly a year. Two brothers of the Mission died during the trip. It took two hundred and twenty-two years until the new team as Sons of St. Vincent, with Bishop Crouzet, returned to Madagascar.

1699. Sister Juliana Loret died in Fontainebleau in the age of seventy-seven and after fifty-five in the Company of the Daughters of Charity. After being a Directress of the seminary she was sister servant in Chars, Fontenay-aux-Roses and Fontainebleau. Four times she was appointed the Assistant of the Company. In the last years of her life, Sister Juliana lived depended through thousands and thousands of acts of humility and conformity to the will of God. 1716. The Pastor of Yvré l’Evêque, a suburb of Le Mans, signs with Mother Jeanne Chevreau and Officers the contract for the establishment of three sisters for the care of sick and the education of girls in the parish. The foundation, made by the vicar, will experience many problems of succession. The sisters will not appear until June 1723.

1731. Cardinal Henri de Bissy, then bishop of Meaux, signs with Mother Pâque Carlier and Sisters Officers, a contract for the establishment of three sisters in his estates in Pierre-de-Bresse (diocese of Besancon) for the care of sick and school girls. The Cardinal has established pensions for the service and provided housing for the Sisters. The three sisters did not depart until 21 April 1732.

1769. Mother Hesnard and three other sisters sign with the attorney of directors of the general hospital in Narbonne contract establishing five sisters there. In addition to the service of the sick, the elderly and infirm, they will care of pharmacy, and will be responsible for the education of children and monitoring the workroom. The sisters were sent in October.

1914. In Paris, Cardinal Mercier, archbishop of Mechelen, returning from the conclave that elected Benedict XV, was hosted at the Mother House. Much has been noticed that the primate of Belgium, during his visit, spent an hour and a half in prayer before Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, in the the Chapel of Apparitions. At that time, Belgium had just been invaded by the Germans in face of which Cardinal Mercier would stand up as great bishop, defender of the Church and humanity.

Other Dates

Many people in the Society and Church of Vincent de Paul's time had an influence on his life and work.

• Vincentian Heritage People provides backgrounds of the lives of some of these people.

Some of those who follow Vincent's approach to proclaiming the Gospel are recognized at Saints and Blessed by the Church.

• Vincentian Family Saints offers more information on these people.

There are reminders in many places in France of the life of Vincent de Paul.

• Vincentian Heritage Places provides details of some of these places.

Vincent and Louise were masters in fostering collaboration among groups that normally had little contact.

Former Superior General, Fr. Robert Maloney, CM often pointed out how the circle of poverty is increasing.

He reminded people that more than ever we need to expand the "circle of solidarity" and often invited us to be creative especially in reaching out to the young.

• Tradtional Ways of Expanding the Circle

• New Approaches

He sets up on high the lowly (Job 5:11)

The Lord resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. Most human beings, too, as St. Vincent de Paul himself noted, are attracted by humility.

Full reflection: Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C-2010

I have summoned you by name; you are mine (Is. 43:1—NIV)

The Lord takes the initiative. He invites and he chooses. He reserves to himself, too, the right to award positions of honor. Thus we find Jesus in Jn. 15:16 telling his disciples, “You did not choose me, but I chose you.”

Full reflection: Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C-2010

Reflections' Library