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Weekly Message From the Director |
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Vincentian
Community:
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Dear Friend of Our Lady,
The purpose of the Confraternity was to have members in a parish assist those parishioners who were in some need of material assistance. Such confraternities eventually spread to many parishes throughout France. Louise de Marillac, under the spiritual direction of Vincent de Paul, was sent to help establish confraternities and also when needed to reform those that had strayed from their purpose. Seeing the needs of the poor, on the advice of Vincent, she began to gather around her young country girls and began to form them in ways they could serve the poor – especially the sick poor in their homes. Eventually, in 1633, along with Vincent de Paul, Louise established the Community of the Daughters of Charity. This was the first religious community of Sisters which was not cloistered. Like Vincent de Paul, Louise de Marillac gave her life in the service of the poor. In 1634, the Ladies of Charity (the International Association of Charity) was founded. Both Vincent and Louise involved this wealthy group of women in their works for the poor. Like St. Vincent de Paul, she was eventually canonized. She has received the title of “Patron Saint of all Christian Social Work.” The members of both Communities – the Congregation of the Mission and the Daughters of Charity – had and have a special love for the Blessed Mother. Mary has blessed both Communities in many ways – for which the members of the Communities are grateful. Sincerely in
Mary,
Our Lady of Angels Association - Niagara University, NY 14109 www.ourladyofangels.net |
In last weeks “weekly message,” I spoke about St.
Vincent de Paul. While serving as a pastor in a rural parish
(1616-1617), he saw that people were willing to serve those parishioners
who were in need. However, they lacked an organized way of doing this.
Therefore, he formed the laity (both men and women) in the parish into
what was called a “Confraternity of Charity.” 
