The word “charism” is used to describe a particular spiritual orientation, and any special characteristics of its mission or values (for example, the works of a teaching order as compared with that of a missionary order, or one devoted to care of the poor or the sick). Vincentian charism refers to the charism of St. Vincent de Paul, the 17th century French priest who, along with St. Louise de Marillac, established the first organizations of what is now known as the Vincentian Family movement.

The Vincentian Charism is a way of life. As a way of life within the Church, it is a road to sanctity, the sanctification of our own lives and the lives of others. We can call the Vincentian Family a movement composed of persons who belong to a specific branch of the Family, as well as those who do not belong yet to a specific branch, but are inspired by Saint Vincent de Paul’s way and live it in their lives.

– Homily of Superior General Fr. Tomaž Mavrič, C.M., on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the Vincentian Family: The Vincentian Charism: A Road to Sanctity.

Read the full homily

St. Vincent embraced humble and grateful service to others, especially to those who are poor. Concern for the whole person – body, mind and spirit: this holistic approach to caring translates to all of our ministries – education, social services, health care, missions and spiritual formation.

The first foundation made by Vincent de Paul was for lay women in 1617, when he experienced a personal conversion that led him to discover the pervasiveness of poverty in his day. He responded with bold initiatives to address these social problems. Vincent’s integration of evangelization and charity became the Vincentian charism. Notably, from the beginning the role of the laity was pivotal for his mission.

Word Origin: mid 17th Cent. via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek kharisma, from kharis ‘favor, grace.’

Related Links

The Ways the Charism of Saint Vincent and Saint Louise is Lived in the Various Branches of the Vincentian Family



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Charism

Series of Short Video Reflections from SVP England and Wales
Series of Short Video Reflections from SVP England and Wales
Uniting Action And Contemplation: the Way of Vincent
Uniting Action And Contemplation: the Way of Vincent
Fidelity to the Charism of Vincent
Fidelity to the Charism of Vincent
Vincentian Reflections by Fr. Rolando Gutiérrez, CM: Series
Vincentian Reflections by Fr. Rolando Gutiérrez, CM: Series
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“Leaving God For God”
St. Vincent de Paul: One of the great saints of history (Part 3)
St. Vincent de Paul: One of the great saints of history (Part 3)
St. Vincent de Paul: One of the great saints of history (Part 2)
St. Vincent de Paul: One of the great saints of history (Part 2)
Vincent de Paul: One of the great saints of history (Part 1)
Vincent de Paul: One of the great saints of history (Part 1)
St. Louise and Avoiding Stumbling Blocks
St. Louise and Avoiding Stumbling Blocks
Vincentian Care: Serving With Love, in a Spirit of Justice
Vincentian Care: Serving With Love, in a Spirit of Justice
Vincent’s Homes (13 Houses Campaign)
Vincent’s Homes (13 Houses Campaign)
Men on a Mission: Nine Young Vincentian Priests Go to China, 1921
Men on a Mission: Nine Young Vincentian Priests Go to China, 1921
Men On a Mission: The Congregation of the Mission Serving Christ in the Poor
Men On a Mission: The Congregation of the Mission Serving Christ in the Poor
The Joy of Serving · #IamVincent
The Joy of Serving · #IamVincent
October 27: Sisters of Charity Federation of North America #UnstoppableCharity
October 27: Sisters of Charity Federation of North America #UnstoppableCharity
The Mission Continues: Who is My Neighbor?
The Mission Continues: Who is My Neighbor?
Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the Philippines
Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the Philippines
A Gift for Friendship: Society of St. Vincent de Paul
A Gift for Friendship: Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Ladies of Charity: Serving With a Vincentian Heart
Ladies of Charity: Serving With a Vincentian Heart
The Vincentian Charism in Lebanon
The Vincentian Charism in Lebanon
ACT Vincentian
ACT Vincentian
Advent Reflection on Prayer for Vincentians
Advent Reflection on Prayer for Vincentians
Vincentian Spirituality from an Irish Perspective
Vincentian Spirituality from an Irish Perspective
Dealing With Illness: A Vincentian Perspective
Dealing With Illness: A Vincentian Perspective
St. Vincent and Lay Ministry
St. Vincent and Lay Ministry
Vincentian Virtues in Action: Bill’s Story
Vincentian Virtues in Action: Bill’s Story
Story– Vincentian Virtues in Action
Story– Vincentian Virtues in Action
Shared Story: Forgiveness Will Save Your Life #IamVincent
Shared Story: Forgiveness Will Save Your Life #IamVincent
Shared story of a volunteer: Healthcare for Homeless #IamVincent @DePaulMission
Shared story of a volunteer: Healthcare for Homeless #IamVincent @DePaulMission
If #IamVincent can I be a Spectator?
If #IamVincent can I be a Spectator?
What Does Blessed Rosalie Rendu Teach Us Today?
What Does Blessed Rosalie Rendu Teach Us Today?
Original Apostolates of the Congregation of the Mission
Original Apostolates of the Congregation of the Mission
Five Themes in the Life of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Five Themes in the Life of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Evangelized by Others: the Closeness of God’s Presence in Our Encounters
Evangelized by Others: the Closeness of God’s Presence in Our Encounters
Discovering the deepest needs of those we serve
Discovering the deepest needs of those we serve
The Vincentian Missionary Spirit
The Vincentian Missionary Spirit
Model of the Church in the Vincentian Charism
Model of the Church in the Vincentian Charism
Unaffiliated Lay Vincentians
Unaffiliated Lay Vincentians
Ladies of Charity: Acting Against Poverty With a Vincentian Heart
Ladies of Charity: Acting Against Poverty With a Vincentian Heart
Les Contributions du Charisme Vincentien : Séries
Les Contributions du Charisme Vincentien : Séries
Contributions of the Vincentian Charism: Series
Contributions of the Vincentian Charism: Series
La Dimension Prophétique du Charisme Vincentien : Séries
La Dimension Prophétique du Charisme Vincentien : Séries
The Prophetic Dimension of the Vincentian Charism: Series
The Prophetic Dimension of the Vincentian Charism: Series
Rodzina Wincentyńską i jej powołanie
Rodzina Wincentyńską i jej powołanie
La vocation vincentienne
La vocation vincentienne
A Vocação Vicentina
A Vocação Vicentina
La vocazione vincenziana
La vocazione vincenziana
Podcast of The Vincentian Charism, Vincentian Spirituality and our Way of Life
Podcast of The Vincentian Charism, Vincentian Spirituality and our Way of Life
Extravagant Love: The Sisters of Charity
Extravagant Love: The Sisters of Charity
Transforming Lives: More Stories of the Homeless and Working Poor
Transforming Lives: More Stories of the Homeless and Working Poor
What is the Vincentian Charism?
What is the Vincentian Charism?
Apostolic Reflection (described by a Daughter of Charity)
Apostolic Reflection (described by a Daughter of Charity)
Evangelization of the Poor
Evangelization of the Poor
Remembering St. Vincent and St. Louise– Two Great Prophets of Charity
Remembering St. Vincent and St. Louise– Two Great Prophets of Charity
Vincentian Elements
Vincentian Elements
What is a Vincentian?
What is a Vincentian?
Bref résumé de « Femmes Vincentiennes »
Bref résumé de « Femmes Vincentiennes »
Vincentian Women
Vincentian Women
Legacy
Legacy

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