Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul West Central Province
Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul West Central Province
Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul West Central Province
December 2009 Affiliate Newsletter
For a fifth consecutive year, the missionaries of VMF's "Operation Overhaul"...full story
see pages 6-7
VOYA gathered together to build a house in Matamoros, Mexico and to help develop a community garden in Cameron Park, Texas...full story
Sex trafficking in Macon, Georgia?...full story
Learn more about an exhibit highlighting the rich history and contributions of Catholic sisters in the United States on the Women and Spirit website and the LCWR website.
The Daughters of Charity collaborate with innumerable lay persons in ministry among persons who are poor. Some individuals distinguish themselves by embodying and communicating in their personal lives the Vincentian charism and spirituality to an extraordinary degree.
During the 1980 General Assembly of the Daughters of Charity responsibility for the Affiliates was put in the book of Directives for the Visitatrix. The General Assembly defined Affiliate Membership as:
Affiliated members are those who, by reason of their spiritual and/or material generosity to the Company, are deemed worthy of a share in the prayers and good works of the Company.
In rare instances, and for those laity whose lives have reflected the Vincentian charism in the highest degree, Affiliation (honorary membership in the Company) is offered. This affiliation entitles them to share in the prayers and good works of the Company, as well as in special Community activities.
At the recommendation of Sisters in ministry and with the approval of the General Council in Paris, such person may be recognized as Affiliates of the Daughters of Charity. The Affiliates share in the prayers and good works of the Community, participate actively in the Vincentian Family in their local area and participate in periodic retreats and gatherings.
“You, our treasured Affiliates, are the “front-line reps” of all that the Daughters hope to stand for in ministry. You have been called to affiliation because of your tested fidelity to the Vincentian charism, and your above and beyond the call of duty generosity in Daughter of Charity ministries. You are a special proof that the Charism grow prolifically in every walk of life!”
- Sr. Honora Remes, D.C., Visitatrix of East Central Province
“I have found that you, our Affiliates, contribute greatly to our appreciation and understanding of what it means to be “the Vincentian Family”. Each of you was invited into affiliation because you embody and communicate the values of the Daughters of Charity. We are kindred spirits! Your lives and ministry remind us that the Kingdom of God is present and belongs to persons living in poverty. Thank you for being a great source of hope for the Daughters of Charity and the Church! We have been deeply blessed by the witness of your lives.”
- Sr. Mary Walz, D.C., Visitatrix of West Central Province
Based on currently available information, the number of Affiliates in the United States and Canada is 267.