Vocations
WE ARE VINCENTIANS
THE CALL TO SERVE
INTHENEWS
Teacher Appreciation week, May 6-10, had a special meaning for those who work at the Vincentian-founded and -managed Inn Dwelling in Germantown, Philadelphia.
Vincentians are men on a mission, true to St. Vincent’s motto from the Gospel: “He has sent me to bring the Good News to the poor.” (Luke 4:18) Our community life of priests and brothers helps to motivate and support us, as we strive to live St. Vincent’s golden rule: “Live always in the manner of dear friends.”
Our baptism initiates us into the life of the Church for a life-long path of discipleship with Jesus Christ. This is our primary vocation—to know, love, and follow Jesus, serving in the way He showed us. The Lord told His first disciples, “The Son of Man has come not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for the many.” (Mark 10:45)
St. Vincent de Paul was a man who took Jesus’ words to heart. Imbued with a desire to “see Christ in the poor and the poor in Christ,” St. Vincent served the material and spiritual poverty of the people God put in his path. For him, the love of God was not a private devotion; rather, an active, communal reality that led him into service. From time spent in prayer, reading Scripture, and with the Eucharist, St. Vincent developed a storehouse of strength, founding lay and religious organizations to serve and evangelize the poor.
The Congregation of the Mission, (known as “Vincentians”) was founded by St. Vincent in 1625 to evangelize the country poor—the most neglected people of his day—and to train worthy clergy for service to the people of God. Four centuries later, Vincentians still do these works and many others to meet today’s needs of the Church and of those living in poverty.
We are a worldwide religious community of more than 3,000 priests, brothers, and seminarians following the way of Jesus in the spirit of St. Vincent. The Eastern Province extends to the Mid-Atlantic States with a mission in the Republic of Panama. We serve as parish priests, educators, missionaries, seminary formatters, retreat directors, confessors, and chaplains.
MEET THE VINCENTIANS OF THE EASTERN PROVINCE
A PRIOR COMMITMENT
Many families are blessed with two or more vocations, and each who is called by God has a unique journey, as well as similarities experienced with their siblings. This is the story of the Priors, 4 brothers who shared a lifetime commitment to the Vincentians.
A BROTHER LIKE NO OTHER
Many Catholics know the roles priests play in the Church, but are less familiar with other vocations to the ordained and religious life. To some, the Vincentian Brother vocation is one of the best-kept secrets in the Catholic Church. Just ask anyone who knows Br. Alfred J. Smith, CM.
THE JOURNEY HAS JUST BEGUN
Frs. Leo Tiburcio and Luis Romero, CM, have studied hard for 10 years, learning subjects like philosophy, theology, the sacred Scripture, and the sacraments. It’s been an exciting journey filled with a range of emotions about their calling and the road that lies ahead.
A BROTHERHOOD UNITED
“In his rule, St. Vincent tells the Vincentians to ‘strive to live together as dear friends.’ This isn’t only about working together, being well-functioning and efficient; it’s about being brothers and supporting one another.”
BUILDING COMMUNITIES OF FAITHFUL
Fr. Vincent H. Finnerty, CM, the pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Charlotte, NC, leads a congregation of devotees, a mostly immigrant population. He is a soft-spoken man who cares deeply for his flock, who are, in many ways, his family.
HELPING THE INVISIBLE PEOPLE
It is the invisible people that St. Vincent de Paul worked with and whom the Congregation of the Mission continue to serve up and down the Eastern Province and throughout the region of Panama. This is the call of the Vincentians’ prison ministry.