The Role of Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Louise de Marillac as Architects and as Moving Spirits behind the Spiritual and Mission Renewal in Seventeenth-Century France

Presenter Information

Raymond Deville S.S.

Abstract

Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac had a major role in the seventeenth-century French church. Both knew people at the highest levels of government and the Church; Vincent “was involved in almost all the great events of his time.” Their focus on mission and charity was one they shared with others of the French school of spirituality. Indeed, the seventeenth century was one of missionary activities. The spiritual lives and teaching of Vincent and Louise centered on Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Vincent differed from the French school in his particular emphasis on Jesus as the first missionary, the need to continue Jesus’s work, and the idea that service to the poor was service to Jesus. For Louise, like Pierre de Berulle, the “holy humanity of Jesus” was the touchstone of her spirituality.

Recommended Citation

Deville, Raymond S.S. (1993) "The Role of Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Louise de Marillac as Architects and as Moving Spirits behind the Spiritual and Mission Renewal in Seventeenth-Century France," Vincentian Heritage Journal: Vol. 14: Iss. 1, Article 1.
Available at: https://via.library.depaul.edu/vhj/vol14/iss1/1