The Company of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul may also be referred to as the Daughters of Charity or the Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul. Founded in 1633, the Daughters of Charity is a Society of Apostolic Life for women in the Catholic Church, whose members make annual vows throughout their lives, so they are always free to leave, with no need of ecclesiastical permission. Sometimes known as the Grey Sisters for the color of their traditional religious habit, which was originally gray, but is now bluish-gray, its members are devoted to serving Jesus Christ by meeting the needs of the poor and through corporal and spiritual works of mercy. At one time, they were known as the Sisters of Charity of Saint Joseph. The Daughters of Charity was founded by Saint Vincent de Paul, a French priest, and Saint Louise de Marillac, a widow. Because of the need of organization in his work for the poor, de Paul chose to form a confraternity among the women of his rural parish. Soon, it spread to Paris. Marguerite Naseau met Vincent de Paul during one of his evangelization missions, and soon joined the group, which were then known as the Ladies of Charity. These two women, Louise de Marillac and Marguerite Naseau, formed the core of the Daughters of Charity, which eventually spread around the world. Although the women lived in community, they were not cloistered like other religious congregations of the time, but were able to live and work among the poor, when necessary. The Daughters of Charity set up soup kitchens, community hospitals, schools, and homes for orphaned children, as well as offering job training and helping to improve prison conditions. By the time that Louise de Marillac and Vincent de Paul died in 1660, there were more than forty houses of the Daughters of Charity in France, and the poor were being cared for throughout Paris. The charism of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul is one of service to those who are poor.
Recommended Resources
Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul
The Daughters of Charity’s vocation and discernment site offers an overview of the places where the sisters serve, including an interactive map, a history of the institute, information about life in community, stories, and volunteer opportunities, as well as available retreats, a dictionary of terms, videos offering additional information about the Daughters of Charity, and a blog. Announcements and contacts are included.
http://daughters-of-charity.com/
Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul International Project Services
Established to help the Sisters of Daughters of Charity in developing countries to carry out their mission of service to the poor, including the facilitation of international funding and other resources, and relationships that support Daughter of Charity projects. Its projects are highlighted, along with its HIV/AIDS programs. Other Daughters of Charity organizations are published to the site, as well.
http://www.daughtersips.org/
Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul Province of Los Altos Hills
Since 1633, the Daughters of Charity have served the sick and the poor, besides its vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, which are non-religious, annual and renewable. Its Province of the West, headquartered in Los Altos Hills, California, was formed in 1969. Its locations, services, ministries, vocation, and advocacy projects are put forth, and contacts are posted to the site.
http://www.daughtersofcharity.com/
Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Australia
A history of the religious congregation and biographical data of its founders are posted to the site, particularly its work in Australia and Fiji beginning in 1926. Vincentian spirituality, and the Vincentian family are defined, and an overview of its programs, ministries, services, and advocacy issues are included. A description of the life of the sisters is presented, as well as its formation process.
http://www.daughtersofcharity.org.au/
Daughters of Charity of the Most Precious Blood
The rescue mission is in Bridgeport, Fairfield County, Connecticut. Established in 1908, its programs are under the direction of Sister Theresa Tremblay, and includes an accredited daycare and pre-school facility, a food pantry, a furniture bank, and a youth group. Its programs and other ministries are described, news and announcements are posted to the site, and contacts are published.
http://www.dcmpb.org/
Daughters of Charity Services of New Orleans
The Daughters of Charity have been providing health care services in New Orleans, Louisiana for nearly two hundred years. After its sale of Hotel Dieu Hospital in 1992, the Daughters put their efforts into establishing a community health ministry known as Daughters of Charity Services of New Orleans. Its services, pharmacy, insurance marketplace, and a patient login are available.
http://www.dcsno.org/
Daughters of Charity Services of San Antonio
The work of the Daughters of Charity began in the El Carmen community of south San Antonio, and has been dedicated to establishing neighborhood-based programs that increase accessibility to health services in San Antonio and Bexar County. The location of its centers are put forth, including its medical-dental facilities, child development services, and social services. Its locations are shown on a map.
http://www.dcssa.org/
