“Act with gentleness, respect and compassion.”
--St. Vincent de Paul
January 25-31, 2007
“In the Vincentian tradition, we seek to foster a world view and
to further efforts toward global harmony and development, by
creating an atmosphere in which all may imbibe and embody the
spirit of compassionate concern for others so characteristic of
Vincent de Paul.” (University Mission Statement.)
In this 13th annual Founder’s Week, January 25-31, 2007, we
continue to increase our knowledge of the Vincentian heritage of
St. John’s and to impart the Vincentian spirit and tradition into
the 21st century. Our theme of “Solidarity” emphasizes our
commitment to a global civilization. By acting with gentleness,
respect and compassion for all, and especially people who are in
need, we express our solidarity as a human family. Solidarity is a
value that requires a commitment to the principle of the common
good and the personal exercise of the virtues of charity and
simplicity, virtues exemplified in the life of St. Vincent de Paul.
As stated in the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church,
“There exists an intimate bond between solidarity and the common
good, between solidarity and the universal destination of goods,
between solidarity and equality among peoples, between solidarity
and peace in the world.” (Para. 194)
Founder’s Week begins with the Feast of the Conversion of St.
Paul on January 25. The Vincentian Community celebrates this date
as the Founding of the Congregation of the Mission. It is on this
date in 1617 that St. Vincent de Paul preached the first mission in
Folleville, France and recognized the need to start an order of
priests and brothers to “evangelize the poor” by serving both their
spiritual and material needs. Today, the order of the Congregation
of the Mission, commonly called “Vincentians”, is the sponsor of
St. John’s University.