The Congregation of the Mission Western Province is joining the Vincentian provinces around the world this month in celebrating the 400th anniversary of their community’s founding by St. Vincent de Paul on Jan. 25, 1625, in Paris.
The Vincentians’ charism and mission is modeled after their founder, who was devoted to the evangelization of the poor, education of the clergy and laity, and the spreading of the Gospel. More than 3,000 Vincentian priests and brothers are currently serving in 95 countries. There are three Vincentian provinces in the United States: the Western Province, the Eastern Province, and the Province of New England.
Special services and events are scheduled throughout the world on or around Jan. 25, in addition to other anniversary observances and activities throughout 2024-25. A list of anniversary events scheduled in the Western Province is included below.
“Each of these occasions this year gives us opportunities for greater reflection,” said Fr. Joseph Williams, C.M., Provincial Superior for the Western Province, “It is a blessing to celebrate together with our brothers.”
Anniversary Events in the Western Province:
Holy Trinity Parish
3811 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas, Texas
The parish will celebrate with a day of service, worship, and celebration Saturday, Jan. 25. The Food Pantry will be open that morning, and the parish is organizing a Day of Service on and off campus, wherever the need is for volunteers. A concelebrated Saturday Vigil Mass will be held at 5 p.m. with Fr. Milton Ryan, C.M., and Fr. Bemnet Melaku, C.M., followed by the Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and Party in the Community Life Center.
Sacred Heart Parish
529 I St., Patterson, California
A vigil Mass will be held at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at Lopes Orchards De Paul Center in Patterson, Calif., celebrated by Bishop Myron Cotta of the Stockton Diocese. The Mass will be followed by a reception.
St. Vincent de Paul Parish
621 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, California
A solemn eucharist will be celebrated at 4 p.m., Jan. 25, celebrated by Cardinal Roger Mahony, who will give the homily. The Mass will be followed by a 5:15 p.m. reception at the parish, open to members of all branches of the Vincentian family and friend of St. Vincent de Paul. To commemorate the anniversary, a plenary indulgence has been granted by Pope Francis for anyone who attends the Mass and completes the usual conditions.
St. Vincent de Paul Parish
1010 W. Webster Ave, Chicago, Illinois
St. Vincent de Paul parish is collaborating with the DePaul Vincentian Residence in Chicago by hosting receptions after all masses that weekend (5 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m., 10 a.m., and 5 p.m. Sunday), with a larger brunch after the 10 a.m. mass for parishioners and guests. A Kenya Mission Appeal will be held at all of our masses that weekend to honor the missionary work of the Congregation of the Mission.
St. Vincent de Paul Parish
1408 S. 10th St., St. Louis, Missouri
St. Vincent’s will celebrate the founding with a 10 a.m. Mass. St. Louis Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski will be the principal celebrant with Anchorage-Juneau Archbishop Andrew Bellisario, C.M., offering the homily. Fr. Joseph Williams, C.M., and other Vincentian priests will be concelebrants. The Mass will be followed by a luncheon in the parish hall.
About the Congregation of the Mission Western Province
The Congregation of the Mission was founded in 1625 in France by St. Vincent de Paul. The Western Province was established in 1818 and is currently headquartered in St. Louis, Mo., and includes ministries, parishes, and apostolates throughout the western U.S. and is also connected to a Vice-Province in Kenya. The congregation is dedicated to evangelizing the material poor, education, and the formation of new priests in accordance with the teachings and philosophy of its founder.