Vincentians have dedicated 400 years to serving the poor

Sister Norma Edith Munoz, MCP, diocesan director of Hispanic ministry, attends the anniversary Mass in North Little Rock Nov. 11. (Malea Hargett photo)

A temporary chapel was erected outside the Vincentian Lay Missionaries Center in North Little Rock for the Mass and lunch. (Malea Hargett photo)

A bilingual choir, made up of faithful from North Little Rock, Little Rock and Jacksonville, sang at the Nov. 11 Mass. (Malea Hargett photo)

Parishioners hold hands during the Our Father at the 400th anniversary Mass in North Little Rock. Each attendee was given a yellow neckerchief with the Vincentian anniversary logo. (Malea Hargett photo)

Father Tom Stehlik, CM, of New Orleans, who formerly was active in Hispanic ministry in Arkansas, distributes Communion. (Malea Hargett photo)

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The 400th anniversary of the Vincentian charism was celebrated Nov. 11 during a Mass, presentation and lunch at the Vincentian Lay Missioners Center in North Little Rock. More than 200 people attended the outdoor bilingual Mass with Vincentian former superior general Father Greg Gay and local Vincentian and diocesan priests.

St. Vincent de Paul founded the order dedicated to serving the poor in 1617 in France. With St. Louise de Marillac, he founded the Daughters of Charity. In 1885 Pope Leo XIII named him the patron of all works of charity.

In Arkansas the charism includes the Congregation of Mission priests, Daughters of Charity sisters, Ladies of Charity lay men and women, Jericho Way Day Resource Center, the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Vincentian Lay Missioners.