Untitled

Vincentian

Bibliography

Robert P. Maloney, C.M.

Des saisons dans la vie spirituelle

Réflexions sur la spiritualité vincentienne

dans le monde d'aujourd'hui

Published by the Congregation of the Mission, Rome, Italy, 1998 (188 pages)

This is the French translation of Fr. Maloney's third book which appeared under the title, Seasons in Spirituality. Reflection on Vincentian Spirituality in Today's World (published by New City Press, New York, 1997). You will find a review of the book in Vincentiana 1997/6, p. 503. The French edition is available through the Visitors and Visitatrixes of the French language provinces (and, also, at the Procure, Maison-Mère, 95 rue de Sèvres, 75006 Paris, France).

Aloisio D. Goch, C.M.

O Meu Heroi Vicente de Paulo

Published by Grafica Vicentina Ltda, Curitiba, Brazil, 1998 (318 pages)

This book, divided into 80 chapters, is a life of St. Vincent written in the style of a novel, in simple lively language. It is intended for young people who reject dry works. Through historical personalities and authentic facts, presented in their chronological context in an effort to be faithful to history, the author presents a portrait of St. Vincent, his character, personality, organizational sense, faith, and supernatural vision of the poor and the abandoned.

Yves Krumenacker

L'école française de spiritualité

Des mystiques, des fondateurs, des courants et leurs interprètes

Published by Cerf Editions, Paris, France, 1998 (660 pages)

This book is the fruit of seven years of work in a Research Seminary at the Catholic Institute of Lyon by representatives of the communities of the French School of Spirituality.

It is a "summa," covering the various trends which issued more or less directly from Bérulle from the origins to our day. In spite of its enormous volume, it does not try to get into a technical discussion on each theme, but simply to "make the point," by opening some leads. After a first chapter which recalls the origin of the expression "French School of Spirituality," which came about recently and outside of this "school," its ambition is first of all to reproduce the thought of the founders as exactly as possible: Bérulle, the Carmelites under his influence and the first Oratorians, Vincent de Paul, Louise de Marillac, Jean-Jacques Olier, and Jean Eudes. Not forgotten are the Jansenist trends which took their inspiration from certain views, but deviated from them (chapters II to V). These spiritualities have in common a deep sense of the greatness of God and of adoration, as well as our condition of creatures, a contemplation of the relationship among the Three Divine Persons, and the central place accorded to the Incarnation, to the divine humanity of Jesus, continued through the Eucharist and the Church, especially among the poor in whom, as Vincent de Paul adds, Jesus is really present. Thus, all insist on apostolic commitment, in connection with the bishops and founded on baptismal spirituality and the dignity of the Christian, of every baptized person.

The work continues by discussing the various interpretations and popularizations throughout 300 years which left certain aspects of the original spirit forgotten or deformed, while continuing to live the essential in the original institutes and in many new institutes of the same spirit. Chapters VII to IX clarify well these transformations and rebirths with Henri Marie Bourdon, Charles Démia, Jean-Baptiste de la Salle, Grignon de Montfort, etc., up to the Mission of France in the 20th century.

Chapter VI treats basic questions common to the whole on anthropology, contemplative theology and the apostolic commitment intimately tied to contemplation.

Is it necessary to add that a Vincentian will find herein enlightenment not only on St. Vincent and St. Louise, which will revive what we already know, but on their epoch and the network of relationships which helped to develop their thought and action; these strengthen us today where we also are steeped in networks of spirituality and action (Bernard Koch, C.M.)

M. Irene Fugazy, SC

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

Published by Signe, Strasbourg, France, 1997 (56 pages)

This beautiful, large size, well-illustrated book on glossy paper presents the life of Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first saint born in the United States. Wife, mother, convert to Catholicism, then foundress of the Sisters of Charity, she gave herself in works of charity, especially through teaching, to the service of the poor in her country during the first half of the 19th century. The book also presents the members of the community she founded, who have become the Federation of Sisters of Charity, in their life and apostolates today. (The text is in English.)

Georges-Albert Boissinot, S.V.

La vie spirituelle selon Vincent de Paul et Jean-Léon Le Prévost

À la rencontre de Dieu

Published by Editions Fides, Montreal, Canada, 1997 (206 pages)

This work makes a connection between the spirituality of St. Vincent de Paul and that of Jean-Léon Le Prévost, founder of the Religious of St. Vincent de Paul, who took his inspiration directly from his patron saint. Their teachings coincide considerably.

After a brief account of the journeys of Vincent de Paul and Le Prévost, there is a study of nine fundamental themes of their common spirituality. The originality of Fr. Le Prévost will be made evident especially in the subject of certain themes which are particular to him, such as: the Christian family, the role of Christian lay people in a society becoming secularized, certain aspects of Marian piety, etc. Moreover, the author adds considerations for interpreting their thought in relation to our world and our present issues.

Collection

Liturgia de las Horas

Familia Vicentina

Published by Tipografias Editoriales, Mexico, 1998 (567 pages)

This book of the Liturgy of the Hours was conceived as an instrument of ecclesial and Vincentian prayer. Its purpose is, on the one hand, to help those who are becoming initiated little by little to the prayer of the Church and, on the other hand, to give the Vincentian Family an instrument for prayer in common. It contains the offices of Lauds and Vespers, spread out over four weeks, as well as Compline for one week. While respecting the usual structure of the offices, some elements have been introduced which help us to deepen the value of our vocation and the Vincentian charism. Thus, each psalm is preceded by an introduction, a brief explanation on the contents and the message that it offers us. The hymns chosen have the themes of vocation, mission, service, charity, evangelization of the poor, and Mary. The short readings, taken from scripture, invite us to reflect on justice, charity, evangelization, and the virtues specific to the Vincentian charism. Finally, there is a collection of hymns for the various liturgical seasons and another for the Vincentian Family, as well as the entire proper of the Vincentian Family.

Luigi Chierotti, C.M.

La S. Vincenzo giovanile in Italia et la sua storia

Published by Cooperazione Vincenziana, Genoa, Italy, 1998 (78 pages)

This small work describes the life and commitment of the young of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Italy, whose first conference was founded in Genoa in 1846. Though not a history due to a lack of sufficient archives, the author depicts these young people for us, in particular from the recollections that he got from them themselves. So, he speaks about the "Ozanam Camps," the "Christmases together," and other charitable activities or educational projects of these young people as well as their development in Italy.

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