THE SHARED COIN

The Shared Coin Tradition celebrates individuals living DePaul's Vincentian Mission. Find out more about the program throughout this site.

Learn about the history and story of the Shared Coin Tradition here .

Read stories stories of the Shared Coin here .

Ready to share a coin? Click here.

THE SHARED COIN TRADITION

The Shared Coin Tradition was started in celebration of DePaul University’s 125th anniversary. Students, faculty and staff are invited to take part in this new tradition.

Each year in honor of Foundation Day, January 25, a new coin is released. Any DePaul student, faculty or staff member can go to one of our distribution locations and pick up coins to share with a person or several people they witness living DePaul’s mission.

Coin recipients may elect to keep it or may choose to pass it on when they see someone else living the mission in a meaningful way.

This is a special way to tell someone else, “I see you! I see DePaul’s mission and the Vincentian spirit within you. That light is radiating out to me. Thank you. I think it is important that I acknowledge you.”

Ready to share a coin? Click here.

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2026 Shared Coin Honoring Blessed Frédéric Ozanam

The 2026 edition of the Shared Coin uplifts a quote by Frédéric Ozanam, during his time as a college student, Frédéric Ozanam learned how to put his Catholic faith into action for social justice. Gathering regularly with peers to discuss the social issues facing their communities, he used his education to become a skilled writer, orator, thinker, and activist.

While studying laws in Paris, Frédéric founded the Society of St.Vincent de Paul, a lay organization dedicated to serving those on the margins. Members of the Society shared their time and presence with their communities and provided for the material needs of those who were poor.

Through his career as an academic and his marriage to his wife, Amélie, Frédéric paved a new way for lay Catholics to live their faith in the pursuit of justice. His wisdom and witness are an invitation for all of us to ponder:

"Courage: Something we undoubtedly need in the era in which we live, and even more crucial to have in the era in which we are going to live."

Learn more about Frédéric Ozanam here.

2025 Shared Coin

"Acting well our part in present difficulties is the only way to ensure the Peace of the future."

- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

2024 Shared Coin

"Encourage one another and may your mutual good example speak louder than any words can."

- St. Louise de Marillac

The 2024 edition of the Shared Coin uplifts a quote from St. Louise de Marillac to celebrate the 400th anniversary of her lumiere experience.

On June 4, 1623, Louise de Marillac, filled with doubts and anxiety about her life, entered the Church of Saint Nicolas-des Champs in Paris. A young wife with a child and a sick husband, she prayed for her future. Something extraordinary happened there. She experienced a moment of light that changed her life and filled her with a trust that there was a plan for her life. She was freed from her anxiety and doubts and received an inner peace.

Louise's "lumiere" experience is an invitation for all of us to root ourselves in trust and to hold on to the light within and around us.