The Congregation of the Mission is a Roman Catholic society of apostolic life, made up of vowed priests and brothers, which was founded by Saint Vincent de Paul in 1625. Its charism relates to the evangelization of the poor and the formation of the clergy. Born in the village of Pouy (now named for him) in southwestern France, Vincent de Paul grew up among the poor, and was familiar with the conditions under which the underprivileged lived. Becoming a priest in 1600, he sought to escape poverty for a time, seeking prestige and status among the wealthy, but he later felt called to a deeper holiness, and became determined to dedicate his life to the salvation of the poor. In 1617, he founded the Confraternities of Charity, from which came the Daughters of Charity, the Ladies of Charity, and the Congregation of the Mission, which was created in 1625, and officially approved by the Vatican in 1633. At that time, the canons regular of Saint Victor handed the priory of Saint Lazarus over to the Congregation, after which members of the Congregation became known as Lazarites or Lazarists. The Congregation's members live according to the Common Rules or Constitutions, which Vincent de Paul revised in 1658. Along with the other organizations in the Vincentian Family, the Congregation shares in the mission of evangelization to the poor and the religious instruction of the lower classes, but also recognized that this mission could not be sustained unless they also provided for the formation of the clergy, a work that the Congregation took up in Beauvais in 1628 when they began holding retreats for those who were being recommended to orders, thereby providing good pastors for the Church. Today, the religious institute operates secondary schools in Dublin, Ireland, and institutions of higher education in Ireland, the Philippines, and the United States. They are also involved in local parishes, ethnic chaplaincies, and refugee advocacy matters.
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Often known as the Vincentian Fathers and Brothers, or the Lazarists, the Congregation is a community of Roman Catholic priests and brothers founded by Saint Vincent de Paul for the evangelization of the poor and the formation of the clergy. Currently serving in eighty-six countries, the Congregations’s locations, organizational structure, and contacts are posted, along with a pastoral plan, collaborations, and vocations.
http://cmglobal.org/en/
Congregation of the Mission Eastern Province
Members of the Congregation of the Mission of Saint Vincent de Paul arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1816, later spreading out throughout the country. The Eastern Province is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, establishing schools and setting up missions for the poor. The features of the congregation are discussed, along with its ministries, formation process, and contacts.
http://www.cmeast.org/
Congregation of the Mission New England Province
The New England Province of the Congregation of the Mission is in Manchester, Connecticut. An interactive map shows the locations of other churches, houses, and residents of retires Seniors of the Province. The mission of the Congregation is stated, and a calendar of programs and events is included. Other resources include an order of celebration, homilies, sermons, and a liturgical calendar.
http://cmnewengland.org/
Congregation of the Mission Philippines
The Vincentians have been in the Philippines for a hundred and fifty years. The history of the congregation, internationally and in the Philippines, is told, and its houses, schools, and other missions are featured. Other resources include a photo gallery, contacts, and information about membership in the congregation. Other members of the Vincentian Family active in the Philippines are also acknowledged.
http://cmphilippines.org.ph/
Congregation of the Mission Western Province
Vincentians of the Western Province serve in more than twenty parishes, operate two retreat centers, and sponsor DePaul University, the largest Catholic university in the United States. Its history is told, and a biography of its founder, Saint Vincent de Paul, are put forth, with an overview of its mission, mission fields, and projects are included, along with information about becoming a Vincentian.
https://www.vincentian.org/
