Welcome
Welcome to the Southern Province website. We are one of fifty-two provinces of the world-wide Congregation of the Mission. St. Vincent de Paul founded our "little company" of priests and brothers in 1625 for the evangelization of the poor and the formation of the clergy.
Vincent de Paul, a son of a poor peasant farmer in the southwest of France, was a man who loved a challenge. Some years after his death he became recognized as "Le grand saint du grand siecle" (the great saint of the great [17th] century). In a time of great changes and decline in Europe, Vincent's vision of Church renewal had called for a new breed of men and women. Filled with missionary zeal these practical, effective and compassionate clergy, brothers, sisters and lay Catholics helped to transform their own society and Church and later brought hope and faith to new lands. The challenge that springs from changing times is most certainly with us in our nation as well as in our Church. It is no surprise then that Vincent de Paul's spirit is very much alive among us!
“Extend mercy towards others, so that there can be no one in need
whom you meet without helping. For what hope is there for us if God should
withdraw His mercy from us?”
—St. Vincent de Paul