When the Vincentians first arrived in the United States in 1816, the nation consisted of only 19 states and Abraham Lincoln was only seven years old. Within a year of their arrival, the Vincentian pioneers had made their way to Bardstown, Kentucky, and by 1818 they had established their home in Perryville, Missouri.

A small country town on the American frontier, Perryville proved to be a spiritual hub for the Vincentians in the United States. Before long, a vibrant ministry to the poor took root from coast to coast and from border to border. Vincentian priests and brothers established colleges and universities, led parishes, built shrines, taught in seminaries and served the poor in urban centers and rural towns.

We give our joyful thanksgiving to God for all the graces he has showered on us for two centuries of service in America!

Today, the Vincentians are celebrating our 200th anniversary in America. Over the years, the priests and brothers, together with our lay collaborators, have created a distinctive spiritual way of life that can still be witnessed in parishes, shrines and schools, in communities and through devotions, in their preaching and teaching.

We give our joyful thanksgiving to God for all the graces he has showered on us for two centuries of service in America! We thank our faithful friends and donors for their prayers and support of our ministries, as we look ahead to our third century in America. Please check back often for the latest news and upcoming events for the celebration of our 200th anniversary in the United States.