St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac,
founders of the Company of the Daughters of Charity

Overview of the Daughters of Charity

In 1633 Vincent de Paul, a humble French priest and Louise de Marillac, a widow established the Company of the Daughters of Charity as a group of women dedicated to serving the "poorest of the poor." Prayer and community life were essential elements of their vocation of service.

Almost two centuries later, Elizabeth Seton, the American foundress of the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph, adapted the rule of the French Daughters of Charity for her Emmitsburg, Maryland community. In 1850, the Emmitsburg community united with the international community based in Paris.

Today, the Daughters of Charity are an international community of over 27,000 Catholic women ministering all over the world. The Daughters of Charity still serve the "poorest of the poor." Their ministry touches those in need through education health care, social, and pastoral services. Prayer and community life are essential elements for their vocation of service.

Given to God

The life of a Daughter of Charity is animated first of all by the LOVE OF CHRIST founded on an interior experience of Him, nourished by personal and communal prayer.

In Community

Fraternal life is one of the basic supports of the vocation of the Daughters of Charity. This fraternal life is lived in a local community, where the sisters collaborate in faith and joy, bear witness to Jesus Christ, and continually strengthen one another for the good of the mission.

For the Service of the Poor

We commit ourselves to live intensely the charism of our founders St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac, by constantly re-evaluating and re-defining our response to the needs of the poor. Today we reach out to victims of hunger, homelessness, and war, substance abuse, broken families, refugees, troubled youth, and persons living with AIDS. Tomorrow, who knows? Wherever the need arises, Daughters will respond to love and serve.