1626. In the College of Bons-Enfants de Paris, the first priests associated with Vincent de Paul, chaplain of the Galleys in France and director of the Collège des Bons-Enfants, in the Congregation of the Mission, join him. They were Francis du Coudray, priest from diocese of Amiens, Fr. Antoine Portail, a priest from the diocese of Aries and Fr. Jean Antoine de la Salle, a priest form the diocese of Amiens.

1626. The above mentioned document is notarized and Vincent de Paul donates irrevocably to his brothers all his paternal property.

1634. Louise writes to Vincent and speaks about some changes that should be made in the rules of the Confraternity of the Charity.

1698. The Mayor and City Council of Lunel have sent their attorneys to Paris to sign with Mother Juliana Laboue and Sisters Officers the contract establishing two sisters to take care of sick and the education of poor girls in their city.

1878. Fr. Antoine Fiat is elected 16th Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission and the Daughters of Charity.

1944. Two Daughters of Charity died in a field hospital in Warsaw, Poland. They were injured in a bombardment of the city. 1947. Paris. Fr. Edmond Crapez died. Born in Quesnoy on May 18, 1878. Being attracted by the Vincentian who carried popular mission in his hometown - the priest cleaned the church with broom, he joined the Congregation of the Mission at the Mother House on September 21, 1896. Ordained a priest in 1901. He travelled to Rome, where he earned doctorates in Theology and Philosophy and a licentiate in Canon Law. After return to Paris, he taught Philosophy at Rue de Sevres. In 1907, the Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission, Fr. Antoine Fiat, entrusted to him carrying out a biography of Catherine Labouré. This was introduced in the apostolate Marian, who guided his life in such a way around the cult of Miraculous Medal that made him the priest of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

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