Frequently Asked Questions about the Congregation of the Mission
Identity and History
Who was St. Vincent de Paul, and why is he important to the Congregation of the Mission?
St. Vincent de Paul (1581–1660) was a French priest known as the “Apostle of Charity” and the “Father of the Poor.” Following a profound spiritual conversion, he dedicated his life to renewing the Church and serving society’s most vulnerable people. He founded the Congregation of the Mission in 1625 and, together with St. Louise de Marillac, the Daughters of Charity in 1633. His example and teaching form the foundation of the Vincentian charism.
What is the Congregation of the Mission, and what does “C.M.” mean?
The Congregation of the Mission is an international society of apostolic life of pontifical right, composed of priests and consecrated brothers. Its principal purpose is to follow Christ, the Evangelizer of the Poor, and to contribute to the formation of clergy and laypeople. The initials “C.M.” come from its official Latin name, Congregatio Missionis. Members place these initials after their names as a sign of their belonging to the Congregation and its mission.
Who founded the Congregation of the Mission, and why?
St. Vincent de Paul founded the Congregation of the Mission in Paris with the support of the Gondi family. he founding contract was signed on April 17, 1625. His experience in Folleville in 1617 had revealed to him the spiritual abandonment experienced by many rural communities. In response, he gathered a group of priests dedicated to preaching popular missions, providing instruction in the faith, and contributing to the formation of the clergy.
Why are its members called Vincentians, Lazarists, or Paules?
Members of the Congregation are known by different names according to the country and local tradition. They are called “Vincentians” in reference to their founder, St. Vincent de Paul; “Lazarists” because the community established itself at the former Priory of Saint-Lazare in Paris during the seventeenth century; and “Paules,” particularly in Spanish-speaking countries. All these names refer to the same worldwide Congregation of the Mission.
Is the Congregation of the Mission a religious order?
No. Under canon law, the Congregation of the Mission is a society of apostolic life of pontifical right. Its priests and brothers do not live in enclosure or follow a monastic rule. They make vows of stability, chastity, poverty, and obedience while retaining the pastoral mobility and availability needed to serve people and communities experiencing poverty and spiritual or material abandonment.
Are all members priests? What is the difference between a Vincentian priest and a Vincentian brother?
No. The Congregation includes priests, deacons, and Vincentian brothers. All share the same missionary vocation, community life, and commitments. Priests receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders and carry out sacramental, liturgical, and pastoral ministries. Brothers live their consecration as lay members of the Congregation and serve through professional, educational, administrative, healthcare, pastoral, and social ministries.
Mission and Spirituality
What is the mission of the Congregation, and what do its motto and the “evangelization of the poor” mean?
The mission of the Congregation is to follow Christ, the Evangelizer of the Poor. Its Latin motto, Evangelizare pauperibus misit me (Luke 4:18), means “He has sent me to evangelize the poor.” For St. Vincent, evangelization includes both proclaiming the Word of God and responding concretely to people’s material and human needs through charity, the promotion of human dignity, and compassionate service.
What is Vincentian spirituality, and what are the five virtues that guide it?
Vincentian spirituality is centred on Christ and invites us to encounter and serve God in people who are poor or marginalized. It is a spirituality that brings contemplation and action together, guided by five characteristic virtues: simplicity, humility, meekness, mortification, and zeal for souls. These virtues help missionaries and everyone who shares the Vincentian charism to live the Gospel with authenticity, inner freedom, and practical charity.
Global Presence
Where does the Congregation of the Mission work, and what kinds of ministry does it undertake?
The Congregation carries out its apostolate in many different areas, adapting its work to local needs. It promotes popular and international missions, serves in parishes, accompanies prisoners and people who are sick, and works in education through schools, colleges, and universities. It also contributes to the formation of clergy and supports social projects serving people experiencing homelessness, refugees, vulnerable families, and other communities affected by poverty.
In which countries is the Congregation present, and how can I find a province or community near me?
The Congregation of the Mission is present on five continents through provinces, vice-provinces, regions, and international missions. To find a Vincentian community, parish, or presence in your country, you can consult the C.M. Online Catalogue or contact the General Curia at segreteria@cmcuria.org.
Vincentian Family and Participation
What is the Vincentian Family?
The Vincentian Family is an international network of communities, associations, and institutions that share the charism and spiritual heritage of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac. Its members include the Congregation of the Mission, the Daughters of Charity, the International Association of Charities, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and various youth and lay movements.
Is the Congregation of the Mission the same as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul?
No. They are two autonomous organizations within the Vincentian Family. The Congregation of the Mission is a society of apostolic life composed of priests and brothers, founded by St. Vincent de Paul in 1625. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an international lay organization dedicated to charitable service. It was founded in Paris in 1833 by Blessed Frédéric Ozanam and his companions.
Can laypeople participate in the Vincentian mission?
Yes. Laypeople are essential collaborators in the Vincentian mission. They can participate as volunteers or members of the different associations of the Vincentian Family and work alongside priests and brothers in parishes, schools, popular missions, formation centres, and social ministries. Lay participation in organized charity forms an important part of the legacy of St. Vincent de Paul.
How can I join or support the Congregation of the Mission?
You can support the Congregation through prayer, volunteering, and donations for its missions and formation programmes. A Catholic man who wishes to discern a vocation as a Vincentian priest or brother can contact the vocation director of his nearest province or the General Curia. Visit our pages dedicated to vocations, donations, and contact information.
