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Click here for a list of formation resources on Blessed Frederic Ozanam. There are links to PowerPoint presentations, videos, an educational game, and a timeline. There is also a series of video recordings of an excellent panel discussion on Ozanam held at Niagara University. Famvin creates and gathers these resources as part of our mission to “form those who serve” persons living in poverty. This is the purpose of Famvin’s “VinFormation” section. If you have a resource that you’d like to share, please contact us! We’re always in search of useful material for online learning for Vincentians. A document or image you recommend may become a seed for our creating a new media resource to support learning.

These favorite prayers by St. Vincent were shared by the Congregation of the Mission, Western Province. Why not make them part of your daily routine, such as praying as soon as you wake up in the morning, or even bookmarking them on your smartphone to have with you throughout the day?

We are living in an era of information abundance. But finding the right information (and making sense of it) requires more and more time, attention, and focus. So many great resources– so little time to digest them. That’s why I’m happy to share this three-minute gem from our video archives, a short film from the Daughters of Charity that may be unknown to some of you: The Eucharist – The Heart of a Daughter of Charity. Enjoy!

It was in Châtillon-les-Dombes, a small village near Maçon, in France, that St. Vincent created in 1617 the first “Confraternities,” later called “Charities.” So was born the first nucleus, the first Charity, from which stemmed the AIC and a great number of Vincentian groups that followed. See the new YouTube video– AIC: The Journey, 1617 to Today narrated by Fr. John Freund, C.M.

Reflect on St. Vincent’s understanding of Christ and its implications for us as missioners sent to serve the poor in this presentation offered by Fr. Bruce Krause, C.M.

As Vincentians, we perform many acts of charity and service to the poor and the needy. But do we reflect together on our experiences with the poor, often enough? Why not commit, with your community or SVDP conference, each week to share something that was important to you during the past week? Fr. Bruce Krause, C.M. offers some thought-starters in the new presentation 5 Reflections On Our Ministry As Vincentians.

Travel to 17th century Paris in this little game that tests your knowledge of our founders St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac. Requires Flash player (meaning that it will play on most computers, but not on iPad or iPhone).

In today’s featured presentation, Fr. Robert Maloney, CM asks: Why is a Systemic Change mentality important? Here are two reasons you may not have thought about:

The parables of Jesus make up a substantial part of His recorded preaching. All of the great themes of Jesus’ preaching are struck in the parables; they are among the best known of all Jesus’ words. In general terms, a parable is any succinct story which is intended to teach lessons or principles. A parable often involves a character who faces a moral dilemma. Today we feature two presentations by Fr. Dennis Berry, S.T.: St. Louise de Marillac: Her Life As Parable, and St. Vincent’s Life As Parable. These may be downloaded and used for quiet reflection or perhaps with a small group. What lessons can be learned by observing key points in the lives of St. Vincent and St. Louise? In working with the poor and marginalized, can we find contemporary stories and parables to use in preaching/teaching?

One of the essential pieces in the Rite of Penance is the examination of conscience. We take an internal self-examination of our spiritual life and bring to light those sins that keep us from a more intimate relationship with Christ. We recall our sins and faults committed since our last confession. One of the most common ways is to go through the Ten Commandments. Another way, which you may not have thought about, is to turn to the Church’s social teaching– which is about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society. Consider how you’re doing, and what more you can do, using the Examination of Conscience in Light of Catholic Social Teaching.