Abstract
As Catholic and Vincentian institutions navigate increasing religious pluralism, declining numbers of vowed religious, and changing expectations about leadership, new models of mission leadership are needed. This article proposes distributed leadership for mission as a framework for sustaining Catholic and Vincentian identity in higher education. Drawing from the history of Vincent de Paul, Louise de Marillac, and the Vincentian Family, as well as contemporary scholarship on leadership and organizational effectiveness, it argues that mission is best carried forward through intentional networks of leaders who share responsibility for cultivating institutional culture and advancing a common purpose. The article explores the theoretical foundations of distributed leadership, highlights the importance of relationships, community, compassion, and ongoing formation, and identifies practices that foster mission integration across an institution of Catholic higher education. It concludes that distributed leadership reflects contemporary organizational realities, the emerging character and needs of the Catholic Church, and the deepest traditions of the Vincentian charism, offering a sustainable path for mission effectiveness in the twenty-first century.