from our confreres
China Centennial Pt. 1–They Left Their Hearts
This monthly series on the China Missions of the 20th and 21st centuries leads up to the 2023 celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Congregation of the Mission Western Province’s ministry in China. We begin with an introduction of the events and people who were key in establishing the presence of Vincentians from the Western Province of the U.S. in these missions.
The CM at the UN, Sustainable Development Goal #11–Jim Claffey
In recent years, air pollution causes at least 4.2 million premature deaths. So what’s the deal? We’re in 2021–where’s the solar power? The wind turbines? SDG 11 asks this question and many more, striving to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
Love is Inventive–Fr. Ray Van Dorpe, C.M.
The feast day for St. Vincent de Paul, the founder of the Congregation of the Mission, is celebrated Sept. 27. For this occasion, Fr. Ray Van Dorpe, C.M., offers the following reflection.
Lives of the Vincentian Saints–St. John Gabriel Perboyre, C.M. (1802-1840)
St. John Gabriel Peryboyre, C.M., a Vincentian martyr, gave his life while serving as a missionary in 19th century China.
Lives of the Vincentian Saints-Bl. Ghebre Michael, C.M. (1790-1855)
Ghebre-Michael worked for years in 19th-century Ethiopia with Fr. Justin de Jacobis, C.M., who ordained him a priest. He died before his studies were completed due to months of torture he endured after his arrest by local authorities, but Jacobis still called him a Vincentian because, “…in his heart, he already beloned to the Congregation.”
The Word of the Day-Jim Claffey, NGO Rep. of the C.M. to the U.N.
To understand the “forest” that is poverty, for example, we need to be aware of the interaction of the trees that make it up. This approach drives us to a deeper analysis of all the inter-connected issues and problems we must address to build a healthy and peaceful society for all.
Lives of the Vincentian Saints-St. Justin de Jacobis, C.M. (1800-1860)
His reputation as a preacher and his personal devotion to prayer led some in authority to mention the possibility of ordaining Justin a bishop, a position he did not want.
Fr. Edward Tomasiewicz, C.M., Dec. 11, 1947-July 21, 2022
Obituary for Fr. Edward Tomasiewicz, C.M., including a schedule of services on July 29 and 30 and a link for livestreaming them, either live or afterwards.
China Missions in the 19th Century–St. Francis Regis Clet (1748-1820)
As a prelude to a series of article launching next month commemorating the 100th anniversary of the American Vincentians service in China, we offer the story of St. Francis Regis Clet, C.M., a Vincentian martyr who gave his life while serving as a missionary in 19th century China.
Going into Darkness Looking for Light–FHA Refugee Conference
Seventy FamVin members gathered in Seville this month to discuss how to accompany refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as part of Famvin Homeless Alliance’s commitment to respond creatively to the needs of homeless persons.