Vincent de Paul’s Membership in a Secret SocietyThe Company of the Blessed Sacrament
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35312/kgz2rw50Keywords:
Vincent de Paul, Company of the Blessed Sacrament, Secret Society, Company’s AchievementsAbstract
St. Vincent de Paul, renowned for his emphasis on simplicity and transparency, paradoxically participated in the secretive Company of the Blessed Sacrament. This clandestine society, founded in 1629, comprised notable French Catholics committed to religious and social reform without episcopal oversight. Despite its secrecy, the society's significant influence gradually emerged post-1660. Key documents, such as the Annales by René de Voyer d'Argenson, detailed the group's activities and notable members, including Vincent de Paul. The Company, emphasizing Eucharistic devotion and spiritual growth, also engaged in substantial charitable works. It supported missions, aided war victims, and collaborated with the Vincentian Family. Vincent de Paul, a crucial member, facilitated the society’s initiatives through his extensive network and influence. While the society faced political and ecclesiastical challenges, including opposition from Richelieu and Mazarin, it left a lasting impact on 17th-century French Catholicism through its discrete yet potent contributions to Church reform and social welfare.
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