BROTHERS OF SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL
A religious congregation founded in Paris in 1845 by G. Le Prevost, with the aim of promoting the spiritual, social, and professional welfare of workers.
Young priests entered the nascent institute; the first among them was Enrico Planchat, known for his zeal as Venator animarum, who was killed in 1871 by the insurgents of the Paris Commune. In the institute, laymen worked alongside priests, both in its direction and in various charitable works, such as patronage for children, apprentices, young workers, orphanages, workers' and soldiers' clubs, and professional organizations aimed at restoring Christian social order. Promoter of professional activity was M. Maigren, with the creation of the Association of Catholic Workers' Circles. Definitively approved by Pius XI in 1924, the congregation has spread to France and Canada and numbers 250 religious.