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Spiritual Life

Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Louise de Marillac founded the Daughters of Charity in Paris in 1633. This was one of the first active (non-cloistered) communities of women, serving the poor, sick, and uneducated.

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, a widowed convert to Catholicism, established the Sisters of Charity of Saint Joseph in Emmitsburg, Maryland in 1809. She adapted the French Daughters of Charity’s rule of life for the American congregation. This was the first Catholic religious community for women in the U.S.

Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley (1814–1877), who was the nephew of Elizabeth Ann Seton, converted to Catholicism and in 1853 became the first Bishop of the Diocese of Newark, New Jersey. He founded Seton Hall College in 1856, and in 1859, he invited the Sisters of Charity to New Jersey. The Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth were established in 1859 as an independent congregation with their motherhouse located in Convent Station, New Jersey. Their presence gave the area its name, since a railroad station was built to serve the convent. The congregation expanded rapidly in education, health care, and social services across New Jersey.

The College of Saint Elizabeth was established by the Sisters at Convent Station in 1899. The College of Saint Elizabeth was one of the first Catholic colleges for women established in the U.S.

DePaul Catholic High School was founded by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth in 1956. The Sisters chose to name the school after Saint Vincent de Paul, the original inspiration for their mission. The Sisters staffed and guided DePaul Catholic High School for decades, and the DePaul Catholic community continues to carry the Vincentian-Setonian spirit of service to the present day.

Vincentian Spirituality

"So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

1 Corinthians 13:13

Saint Vincent de Paul, Saint Louise de Marillac, and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton teach us to see Christ in the poor and suffering, helping us to live out Jesus’ calling for us to serve others and to seek to do God’s Will in our daily lives. DePaul Catholic High School strives to make our Catholic faith evident in its promotion of service to others and encouraging our students to recognize the dignity of every human person, as we search together as a Christian community for a more meaningful relationship with God, each other, and our community.

"Charity is certainly greater than any rule. Moreover, all rules must lead to charity."

Saint Vincent de Paul

"Above all, be very gentle and courteous toward the people you serve; love them tenderly and respect them deeply."

Saint Louise de Marillac, Foundress of the Daughters of Charity

Oh Father, the first rule of our dear Savior’s life was to do Your Will. Let His Will of the present moment be the first rule of our daily life and work, with no other desire but for its most full and complete accomplishment. Help us to follow it faithfully, so that doing what You wish, we will be pleasing to You.

Amen

Prayer from Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Foundress of the Sisters of Charity, USA

Lord Jesus, you who willed to become poor, give us eyes and a heart directed toward the poor; help us to recognize you in them - in their thirst, their hunger, their loneliness, and their misfortune. Enkindle within our Vincentian Family unity, simplicity, humility, and the fire of love that burned in Saint Vincent de Paul. Strengthen us, so that faithful to the practice of these virtues, we may contemplate you and serve you in the person of the poor and may one day be united with you and them in your Kingdom.

Amen

Vincentian Family Prayer

SAINT VINCENT de PAUL, PRAY FOR US!

 SAINT VINCENT de PAUL
 
Saint Vincent de Paul was a French Catholic priest who dedicated himself to serving the poor. Canonized in 1737, he was renowned for his compassion, humility, and generosity.

SAINT LOUISE DE MARILLAC

Saint Louise de Marillac was beatified by Pope Benedict XV in 1920 and was canonized by Pope Pius XI on March 11, 1934. She was declared the Patroness of Christian Social Workers by Pope John XXIII in 1960. Her feast day is May 9.

SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton was beatified in 1963 and canonized on September 14, 1975, by Pope Paul VI. She is the patron saint of Catholic schools, widows, and seafarers. She
was the first citizen born in the United States to be canonized a “Saint.” She established the Sisters of Charity of Saint Joseph, the first American religious community for women, and also founded the first free Catholic school in America in Baltimore, MD. Her remains are entombed in Emmitsburg in the Basilica at the National Shrine that bears her name.