We join the Missionary Fathers of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, whose “spiritual” foundation dates back to January 25, 1617.

The Vincentian fathers, therefore, precisely in this Jubilee Year 2025, celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Congregation of the Mission.

“On this particular day,” said Father Valerio Di Trapani, Apostolic Visitor, ”we need to implore the master of the harvest to send workers, people who, chosen by God, give themselves totally to Him in the service of the Church and the poor.

St. Vincent chose not to live in aristocratic palaces, but among the people; he chose not to walk the wide streets of Paris, but the winding paths of the French countryside. And this is not a heroic choice or even an incomprehensible decision; it is rather the choice of a man in love, looking at life with God’s eyes.

I would like that during this jubilee year the Holy Spirit would raise up a group of lay and consecrated men and women, ready to serve the Church in the evangelization of the frontiers, the peripheries, the poor. Let us pray for this intention.”

Father Valerio particularly addressed the Vincentian Family – to which Mother Thouret’s Sisters of Charity also belong – and young people:

“Dear lay brothers and sisters and sisters of the Vincentian Family, I invite you to take care of your relationship with God, your spiritual, theological and pastoral formation; you too are ‘thrown’ like the grain of wheat into the furrows of history, so that your life may bear abundant fruit. Let yourselves be continually seduced by the God whom you encounter in prayer, who speaks to you in the Word and whom you can touch when you caress the faces of the poor; surrender yourselves to this eternally loving God and set out on the mission to which the Lord is calling you every day.

Dear young people, have the courage to follow Christ. He never disappoints! He always keeps His promise of happiness. Beloved, if you feel a flame in your heart, if you perceive that you are restless and dissatisfied, leave everything, change your path, get up like Paul, set out like Vincent because the Church needs workers who are happy to proclaim the Gospel. Amen.”

Folleville, 25 January 1617

A defining moment in Vincent’s life came in January 1617 when he was called to Folleville, a small village on one of the Gondi estates, to hear the confession of a dying man.

The man’s admission of years of unconfessed sins deeply moved Vincent and highlighted the need for comprehensive pastoral care.

Inspired by this encounter, Vincent delivered a sermon in the church at Folleville on the feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, urging the villagers to make general confessions.

The response was overwhelming, with a flood of people seeking reconciliation and spiritual renewal. This event marked the beginning of Vincent’s missionary efforts and became a cornerstone for his vision of organized missions to the poor. He saw the immense potential of structured missionary work to transform lives and bring spiritual revival to neglected communities.

Folleville would later be celebrated as the birthplace of the Congregation of the Mission, symbolizing the start of a movement that sought to renew the faith and dignity of the most marginalized.

The Congregation of the Mission, is officially called Congregatio Missionis (CM). They are also called “Lazarists,” for having originated in the Priory of St. Lazarus in Paris. They are recognized as “Vincentians” in English-speaking countries, in Spain as Paules and in Latin America as “vincentinos”.

Legacy and Impact

The Congregation of the Mission transformed the Catholic Church’s pastoral mission. It not only revitalized rural communities but also set new standards for clerical training and missionary work. Its influence extended beyond France, contributing to the global Catholic mission. By the time of Vincent’s death, activities included establishing seminaries, conducting retreats, caring for the sick and marginalized, and engaging in international missions.

The founding of the Congregation of the Mission reflects Vincent de Paul’s unwavering commitment to serving the marginalized and reforming the Church. His visionary leadership and deep compassion laid the foundation for a missionary legacy that continues to inspire and flourish worldwide. The enduring impact of his work serves as a testament to the transformative power of faith and service.

The Congregation quickly expanded in France and then in Italy, Ireland, Scotland, and Poland.

The Propaganda Fide entrusted them with missions in Madagascar in 1648. After Saint Vincent’s death in 1660, the Congregation continued its expansion, reaching North America in 1810 and South America shortly after. They also received missions in Lebanon, Arabia, Egypt, Syria, Persia, India, and China.

Present Day

Today, the Congregation of the Mission continues its work of evangelization in 97 countries, with more than 2,900 members, including priests and brothers.

Their work is primarily focused on parishes, but they also seek to reach the most remote communities. The current Superior General is Tomaž Mavrič, re-elected in 2022, accompanied by Vicar General Gregorio Bañaga and other assistant generals.

The Congregation remains committed to its original mission of evangelizing the poor and forming the clergy, adapting to contemporary needs and extending its influence worldwide.