The Extended Vincentian Family—A Genealogical Perspective: An Overview of the VSI Family Tree Project

The Vincentian Studies Institute’s Family Tree Project was intended to trace the development of the Vincentian Family and its worldwide expansion. Some groups follow “the mission, spirit, and rule of Vincent de Paul” exactly or in an adapted form; others follow the Rules of the Daughters of Charity. The project was to identify Catholic and non-Catholic groups that shared in the Vincentian tradition. The article explains the criteria used to describe their relationship to Vincent de Paul as well as the project’s methodology and procedures for organizing data. Preliminary findings are given. The project was intended to facilitate further research. Among other helpful information, the final form was to have “a concise summary of each community describing its foundation . . . its mission, and current location of generalate.