About Us
2021-22 Mission Stats
current seminarians
Individuals served by food and medical programs in Kenya
Families served in Vincentian parishes
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Families receiving Christ’s loving message in ’21-22 Parish Missions
OUR MISSION
The Vincentians of the Western Province serve in more than 20 parishes and sponsor the largest Catholic university in the United States. We lead dozens of parish missions each year, console patients and their families as hospital chaplains, and assist with the formation of future priests in seminaries across the country.
By your prayers, good works and generosity, you help the Vincentians reach out to the poor, lonely and abandoned, and evangelize the least of God’s people.
In our ministry, we work to serve the poor, educate young people, form holy priests and spread the Gospel to the world. We honor the dignity of each person we meet. By our words and the example of our lives, the Vincentians of the Western Province share the good news of Jesus Christ with everyone who seeks His saving grace. None of this is possible without your help.
Each of us is called to follow Christ – to give generously and serve selflessly. By your prayers, your participation on our work and your generosity, you help the Vincentians evangelize those Jesus called the least among us.
Leadership
Fr. Patrick McDevitt, C.M., Provincial
Fr. Tom Esselman, C.M., Interim Assistant Provincial
Fr. James Osendorf, C.M., Consultor
Fr. Richard Wehrmeyer, C.M., Consultor
Fr. Jeremy Dixon, C.M., Consultor
Fr. Derek Swanson, C.M, Consultor
A Message From The Provincial
This past year, with all of its trials, has tested us, individually and as a community. It has been, and continues to be, a journey that reminds us that we need each other and also reaffirms our need to walk with Jesus every day.
The Congregation of the Mission is currently preparing to move its provincial office from its current location in Earth City to a new home in Midtown St. Louis, next to Saint Louis University. This move, in addition to placing us physically closer to the communities we serve, also symbolizes a time of renewal for the Western Province.
I like to think of this move as a journey, which is an important metaphor for the spiritual life. The Scripture is filled with stories and accounts of many different journeys, whether they be from slavery to freedom, from darkness into light, and from the wilderness to a land of promise. As we walk this journey, the uncertainty of the future is guided by our deep faith in the light of Divine Providence. The inevitable struggles and challenges on this journey will bring us to a better place and a deeper relationship with God and one another. As sojourners in faith, we always walk together as a united community.
Though our staff and confreres who work at the Earth City facility will be packing up and moving to our new building, we invite all of you to take this journey with us in prayer. It is our ardent hope that this step in our journey as a Province will open for us a new era of missionary life and service to the poor. We pray this next step in our journey deepens our love for God and expands our relationship and the opportunities that come with it.
In this new chapter, we move forward, revitalized in the mission that God has given us, mindful that the journey continues ever on.
Sincerely in Vincent DePaul,
Fr. Patrick McDevitt, C.M.
Provincial Superior
OUR FOUNDER
Ordained in 1600, Vincent de Paul began his priesthood working with some of the wealthiest, most prestigious families in France. For five years, he served as household tutor and spiritual director to the influential Gondi family. While he loved the experience, Vincent soon found his true calling – ministering to the poor. He devoted his life to prayer, selfless service and sacramental ministry and, he worked to announce the Gospel to the poor.
Vincent ministered to those on the fringes of society – galley slaves, war victims and the materially poor.
Following the unmistakable promptings of the Holy Spirit, Vincent understood the power and purity of God’s message: evangelize the poor. Together with his companions, Vincent shaped the Little Company. They ministered to those on the fringes of society – galley slaves, war victims and the materially poor. In prayer, Vincent begged God for the humility, simplicity and gentleness he needed to carry out this important work.
St. Vincent de Paul’s charism has lived on for four centuries. Vincentian priests and brothers follow his example of holiness and energetic labors, dedicating their lives to prayer, community
life and evangelical service, seeking out those most in need of God’s love and mercy.