Fr. Dennis Holstchneider, President of host DePaul University, evokes the powerful image of the first Vincentians crossing the ocean 200 years ago to a new world. These days mark “the 200th anniversary of the Congregation’s arrival in the United States, which we celebrate this year. Those first four Vincentians from the province of Rome left Europe by ship on June 12th and arrived in the U.S. on July 23rd.”
“Think of that. Exactly 200 years ago, on these same dates of this Assembly, those missionaries were at sea. They did not know what would await them here, but they were filled with faith and determined to build up the Church in the new territories. Like those missionaries at sea, you too have traveled far to be here, and you too are wondering and reflecting about the future of our Congregation’s work. Thank you for taking these weeks for that reflection and for your leadership as you help all of us bring the work of St. Vincent de Paul to a new and always-changing world.”
Great coincidence. Happy second century anniversary.