Vincentian pioneers in America – Experience the beginning of a 200 year journey

by | Jul 25, 2016 | Eastern Province | 1 comment

In the words of the pioneers themselves … A History of the Vincentians in the United States

For the first time a video documentary tells the story of the Vincentian pioneers in America. “Journey of Faith: The History of the Vincentians in the United States”, produced by Anthony F. Kuzia, C.M., and Marian A. O’Brien, tells the story of the first Vincentian Missionaries in the U.S. Using first-person recollections of the missionaries themselves, the engaging video blends material from the letters of Felix De Andreis, C.M., with geographical and historical data in order to show the missionaries’ commitment to spreading the Word of God in a frontier land.

A fitting preparation for the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the first 13 missionaries to journey to America. During the course of the year each of the Vincentian-sponsored universities will host special events.

Fr. Dennis Holstchneider, President of host DePaul University,  addressing the recently concluded General Assembly of the Congregation of the Mission, evoked the powerful image of the first Vincentians crossing the ocean 200 years ago to  a new world. These days mark “the 200th anniversary of the Congregation’s arrival in the United States, which we celebrate this year. Those first four Vincentians from the province of Rome left Europe by ship on June 12th and arrived in the U.S. on July 23rd.”

“Think of that. Exactly 200 years ago, on these same dates of this Assembly, those missionaries were at sea. They did not know what would await them here, but they were filled with faith and determined to build up the Church in the new territories. Like those missionaries at sea, you too have traveled far to be here, and you too are wondering and reflecting about the future of our Congregation’s work. Thank you for taking these weeks for that reflection and for your leadership as you help all of us bring the work of St. Vincent de Paul to a new and always-changing world.”

For an in-depth study of the unfolding of this mission read segments of  The American Vincentians: A Popular History of the Congregation of the Mission in the United States 1815-1987Download  A Survey of American Vincentian History: 1815-1987 (3116 KB)

Download  Ad CleriDisciplinam: The Vincentian Seminary Apostolate in the United States (2714 KB)

Download  “To Bring Glad Tidings to the Poor”: Vincentian Parish Missions in the United States (2867 KB)

Download  Parish Apostolate: New Opportunities in the Local Church (2172 KB)

Download  The Educational Apostolate: Colleges, Universities, and Secondary Schools(2316 KB)

Download  “Go Out to All the Nations!” The Foreign Mission Apostolate: 1914-1987(1780 KB)

Download  Works of Devotion, Evangelization and Service (1056 KB)

Download  The American Vincentian Experience: Reflection on Mission (720 KB)

1 Comment

  1. The Rev. Dr. Edward Ambrose- "Ed"
    The Rev. Dr. Edward Ambrose- "Ed" on July 26, 2016 at 11:53 am

    Thank you for sharing this beautiful story of brave Vincentian pioneers. I feel that God took glory from their voyage. In those days,it was indescribably rough at sea. When my spouse,Jo’s grandmother sailed to the US from Italy,she had to ride with the cattle way below deck. I can only appreciate,therefore, the living martyrdom of your Confreres as they came forth to serve Our Lord’s beloved poor people.

    Ed Ambrose
    St. Joe’s,AA,1957