What is the Vincentian Encyclopedia?

It is a collaborative effort to create a Vincentian encyclopedia of articles and other information useful for those who follow Vincent, Louise and their spiritual companions: a resource for those who are part of the Vincentian family and for others seeking reliable information on people, topics, and organizations related to the Vincentian family. It also includes legal and historical documents and articles by contemporary Vincentian historians and spiritual writers. It is an encyclopedia created "by" and "for" the Vincentian Family.

The project is a uniquely collaborative effort of many people. Widely accessible technology that allows people to work collaboratively is rapidly changing the way content is created on the web. The best known application of the technology is "Wikipedia", a free user created encyclopedia whose English version has almost three million articles.

The Vincentian Encyclopedia adaptation of wikipedia is presently set up so that 'any registered user of this site can create and edit pages . To register use the login/register link at the top right of this page.

The software behind this project supports many forms of collaboration. For example, work groups and committees can draft documents collaboratively before or after committee meetings, saving travel time and expenses. An example: Using this site to collaborate on a document.

The software also supports exchange of information about ongoing projects such as Vincentian-Setonian Researchers.

1659: Conference of Vincent de Paul in Saint Lazare on the subject of conferences, which deals with compelling reasons for the Congregation of the Mission to give great importance, what to do before, during and after them and how to take advantage of them.

1642: In her counties of Agenois and Condomois, the Duchess of Aiguillon established Priests of the Mission.

1714: Mother Jeanne Chevreau, three other sisters officials and Father de Chevremont, Director of Daughters of Charity, as well, and marshal de Bellefond sign an agreement terminating establishment on Isle Jourdain. For more than two years, annuities were no paid. Sisters were accused of poorly managing the received funds. The marshal was forced to pay the arrears.

1873: In Berlin, the Reichstag issues a decree suppressing Jesuits. In this circumstance, the sons of St. Vincent have the immense honor to be regarded as "affiliated" sons of St. Ignatius. And the young Lazarist province of Prussia - twenty-two years after it was erected by Fr. Jean Baptiste Etienne - had to suffer persecution in glory: all the houses were closed. In the intention to avoid suffering of exile, the bishops of Germany had obtained a permission from the Holy See that our confreres were untied from their vow of obedience to Superior General, but all priests and brothers could continue living a community, they could come to take refuge at the Mother House and get the full disposal of the successor of Saint Vincent.

1948: In Belalcázar, Colombia, died Msgr. Emile Larquère, apostolic prefect of Tierradentro. He was born on May 26, 1869. Ordained a priest in the Congregation of the Mission on June 23, 1895. During the first six years of his priesthood, he was devoted to popular missions in La Rochelle. The anticlerical legislation in France in the early twentieth century turned this Landes missionary into an apostle of the Indians in Colombia. In January 1904, accompanied by Frs Tramerourt and Luis Durou (future Archbishop of Guatemala) came to Colombia. He established missions in Nataga, in the diocese of Garzon, and Bocay, in diocese of Tunja. In 1916 he became the first apostolic prefect of Arauca and in 1923 a prefect of Tierradentro.

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

St. Vincent de Paul lived during the 17th century in France. His funeral drew thousands in Paris and the preacher said that he "just about changed the face of the Church and France". In the 300 years since his death he has inspired millions to walk in his footsteps in many different walks of life. Today there are well over two million people formally associated with what has become to be known as the Vincentian Family.

• More about Vincent
• Vincent and Formation in Faith

Christ Jesus … destroyed death and brought life and immortality (2 Tim. 1:10)

Man gets sick, he experiences destruction, and he dies. But sickness, destruction and death, according to the book of Wisdom, are man’s own making and not God’s.

Full reflection: Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B-2009

Reflections' Library