Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website

The year 2025 marks a significant milestone for the Congregation of the Mission (the Vincentians) as the global religious community celebrates 400 years since its formal founding. In anticipation of this celebration, the worldwide Vincentian family and St. John’s University are focusing on prayer, reflection, discernment, and programming to increase awareness of the impactful and enduring Vincentian charism.

“Put on His Spirit. Embrace His Heart!” is the motto chosen for all the celebratory activities of the fourth centenary of the Foundation of the Congregation of the Mission of St. Vincent de Paul.

“His spirit, his charism, is our charism, too. His heart, his love for the poor, is ours as well,” said Rev. Aidan R. Rooney, C.M., M.Div., M.Th. ’78NDC, Executive Vice President for Mission. “We will feature the variety of ways the charism can be lived: through charity, social analysis and action, some new community partnerships and research opportunities, and, of course, through education that stays accessible to those who dream of a brighter future.”

As pastor at a parish in a small village near Paris, France, Vincent de Paul became a tutor to the household of the wealthy and influential de Gondi family. He began giving missions on the estates of Madame de Gondi.

On April 17, 2025, Vincentians worldwide will celebrate the 400th anniversary of when the de Gondis established a contract in which they donated to Vincent de Paul and his first collaborators a financial pension to found and support a society called the Congregation of the Mission to take care of evangelizing the rural poor permanently.

Working closely with St. Louise de Marillac (1591–1660), St. Vincent organized hospitals for the poor, founded asylums for orphans, opened workshops for the unemployed, championed literacy for the uneducated, and advocated for prisoners. He also advanced clergy education throughout France where his community attended to both material and spiritual needs.

In 1870, Right Rev. John Loughlin, Bishop of Brooklyn asked the Vincentian Community to establish an institution of higher education to serve a growing immigrant population. The result was St. John’s College in Brooklyn which grew into today’s University with campuses in New York and globally.

The “Put on His Spirit. Embrace His Heart!” motto aims to invite all Vincentians to return to their founding roots by reflecting on their history while taking steps toward future growth culminating in celebrations on May 1st in Paris.

St. John’s encourages everyone during this time to make an intense examination of conscience following Vincentian tradition as preparation for prayer meditation discernment and executing God’s will.

St. Vincent considered examination one of life’s “golden keys” which today might be referred to as mindfulness recommending regular practice leading towards holistic conversion favoring charitable commitment transforming society with focus on aiding impoverished communities.

As preparations continue events liturgies service opportunities and programming will guide campus participation in this spiritual journey visit Congregation of Mission website for more information.

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