St. Louise de Marillac was the focus of a lecture sponsored by the Niagara University theology and women's studies departments Tuesday, March 9, at 5 p.m. in the university's Castellani Art Museum. Sister Margaret John Kelly, D.C., executive director of the Vincentian Center for Church and Society at St. John's University, New York, discussed "St. Louise de Marillac: An Unheralded Practitioner in the Catholic Human Rights Tradition," as one of the university's Henry and Grace McNulty lectures. The presentation was the first in a series of lectures to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the deaths of Saints Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac.

St. Vincent de Paul, a 17th century Catholic priest, inspired others to respond compassionately to people's basic needs. He founded the Congregation of the Mission, a community of priests and brothers who sponsor Niagara University. His contemporary, St. Louise de Marillac, was a pioneer in religious life and in the provision of human services, and the founder of the Daughters of Charity.