Encyclopedia > Congregation of the Brothers of Charity
The Congregation of the Brothers of Charity was founded in 1807 by Father Peter Joseph Triest, a Flemish priest. Its the rule and constitutions were approved and confirmed by Pope Leo XIII in 1899. 1807 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... This article is in need of attention. ... Pope Leo XIII, born Gioacchino Vincenzo Raffaele Pecci (March 2, 1810–July 20, 1903), was Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from February 20, 1878 until his death. ... 1899 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ...
The congregation's patron saint is St Vincent de Paul. Today, it has houses in 26 countries. In several forms of Christianity, a patron saint has special affinity for a trade or group. ... Saint Vincent de Paul (April 24, 1580 – September 27, 1660) was born at Pouy, Landes, Gascony, France to a peasant family. ...
External link
Brothers of Charity international website (http://www.brothersofcharity.org/en/)
The special aim of this congregation is the sanctification of its members in the religious state by the exercise of works of charity, which, in the spirit of its founder, embrace every phase of moral and physical suffering and want.
The American province was founded in 1865 with the arrival of 5 Belgian brothers in Montreal; the congregation was incorporated in 1869 under the title of: "Brothers of Charity of Vincent de Paul of Montreal".
The Congregation is placed under the authority of a superior general, who is elected by the brothers from among themselves and who resides in Ghent, Belgium, the cradle of the congregation.
Congregation members are known as Spiritans on Continental Europe, and as the Holy Ghost Fathers in English-speaking countries, although even there, they are becoming known as Spiritans.
The congregation's numbers in Europe declined sharply until 1802, when the Napoleonic government allowed the seminary to reopen and the congregation was asked to focus on supplying priests for work in the French colonies in Africa, the West Indies and the Indian subcontinent.
This congregation was founded in 1890, by the late Most Rev. John Hennessey, Archbishop of Dubuque, its object being twofold, the cultivation of devotion to God the Holy Ghost and the education of youth.
Feeds |
Contact