The Family Remembers

December 8, 1617

The Confraternity of Charity (later called The Ladies of Charity) is canonically established at Chatillon-les-Dombes, France. St. Vincent de Paul, pastor of the parish, presents their Rule.

December 8, 1834

The Society of St. Vincent takes Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception as its patroness.

December 8, 1857

The first group of the Ladies of Charity in the United States begins at St. Vincent's Church, St. Louis.

December 18, 1959

Pope Blessed John XXIII declares Elizabeth Ann Seton "Venerable."

December 27, 1923

The Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity (Sisters) under the leadership of Father Thomas Judge, CM, receives its official incorporation in Alabama.

December 31, 1876

Catherine Laboure, DC, dies at 6:30 pm at the Reuilly House in Paris, where she had served the elderly and poor for 40 years.

January 3, 1839

Fr. John Timon, CM, celebrates the first Eucharist in Houston, Texas.

January 4, 1821

Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton dies at Emmitsburg, MD. Her final words: "Be children of the Church."

January 4, 1969

This date marks the division of the Provinces of the Daughters of Charity into five "new" Provinces.

January 5, 1849

Michael Domenec, CM, dies in Spain; he was Bishop of Pittsburgh and later of Allegheny, PA.

January 6, 1816

Felix De Andreis, CM, first Vincentian Superior, arrives in St. Louis.

January 12, 1633

Formal approval of the Congregation of the Mission granted by Pope Urban VIII.

January 12, 1954

Pope Pius XII signs the decree for the cause of Frederic Ozanam.

January 18, 1650

Michel-Antoine Le Gras, only son of St. Louise de Marillac, marries Gabrielle Le Clerc in the Church of Saint-Sauveur, Paris.

January 21, 1835

Brother Angelo Oliva, CM, dies in Perryville, MO; his genius built the Church of the Assumption there.

January 25, 1617

Vincent de Paul preaches at Folleville, France. This feast of the Conversion of St. Paul is celebrated as the anniversary of the foundation of the Congregation of the Mission.

January 25, 1794

Elizabeth Ann Bayley marries William M. Seton in New York City.

January 30, 1831

Catherine Laboure receives the habit of the Daughters of Charity.

January 31, 1842

Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion of the Jewish Lawyer-Bank, Alphonse Ratisbonne, favored with a vision of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal twenty-one days before. With the vision of Mary, an immediate and comprehensive knowledge of the teachings of the Church. "I had never opened a religion book, nor read a page of the Bible."