The Role of Women and the Vincentian Culturescape

Betty Ann McNeil “considers examples of the primary strategies and resources that Vincentian leaders have used to empower others to commit themselves to mission and to communicate the founding charism across boundaries of time and cultures.” Her focus is on the contributions that women have made to the Vincentian culturescape. Daughters of Charity and Sisters of Charity who have had major roles in passing the charism down through their communities are profiled. McNeil writes that one way the charism is successfully handed on is through stories of individuals who lived it. In particular, Elizabeth Seton’s introduction of the charism to the United States is recounted. Core values of the Daughters of Charity are described. Values of the Vincentian mission—compassion, secularity, and collaboration—are discussed. Attention is paid to Vincent de Paul as leader and formator and to his relationships with women.