From September 27-29, the city of Sumaré, Brazil, hosted the III National Vincentian Youth Forum. About 2,000 young people from different Brazilian states, the theme of the meeting was “Youth, Living Face of Ozanam”. The event was attended by the President General of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP), Juan Manuel B. Gomez.
The Forum had an intense agenda full of emotions. Workshops, talks, moments of spirituality and moving testimonies that marked the attendees and deepened the Vincentian values. The Apostolic Blessing of Pope Francis to the Vincentian Youth was also a memorable moment, reinforcing the importance of youth work in the Church.
The President General stressed the importance of the participation of young people: “I have the feeling that the Vincentian Youth of Brazil live the Society of St. Vincent de Paul from within, through their faith, they know Frederick Ozanam and know that we are not here for philanthropy, but because we are first of all a network of friends, who practice charity understood as love of neighbor for the love of God”.
The president of the National Council of Brazil, Márcio José da Silva, highlighted the importance of this meeting for the future of the Society: “Today’s young people are no longer the future of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, they are the present. They are already taking on responsibilities, leading units and helping to strengthen the charitable work we do every week.”
With a varied program, the Forum left a deep legacy in the participants, strengthening the network of friendship and commitment to the Vincentian mission. The III National Vincentian Youth Forum reaffirmed the crucial role of young people in the SSVP, demonstrating that the commitment to charity and faith is still alive and ever stronger among the new generations.
Pope Francis presented, this Thursday (24) October, to the world his new encyclical, “Dilexit nos”. The Holy Father’s fourth encyclical explores the tradition and current thinking “on the human and divine love of the heart of Jesus Christ”, inviting to renew its authentic devotion so as not to forget the tenderness of faith, the joy of putting one’s own service and the fervor of the mission.
The Pontiff mentions St. Vincent de Paul three times throughout the text, a remarkable fact that highlights the relevance of the Vincentian legacy in contemporary Catholic spirituality. And from his hand he urges us to ask for all “that heart of the Son of God, the heart of our Lord, which disposes us to go as he would go.”
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Greetings to you all.
Tomorrow we celebrate the feast of St. Vincent de paul, the heavenly Patron of the Society of Vincent de Paul.
He has known as the Apostle of charityand *Father of the Poor".
Vincent de paul died in Paris on 27th September 1660 at the age of 79. He was canonised on 16th June 1737.
The Cathoilc church designated him as the special patron of all charitable associations in 1883.
He achieved his fame for his dedication to the poor.He dedicated himself to serving the poor.
He never aspired or claimed to be a ' little God' or tried to control everything and everyone.
He honoured Jesus as much in the poor as in acts of devotion.
I request you all on this important occassion of celebrating Vincentian day, tomorrow everyone go to church and attend the Holy Mass and pray for our benefactors and auxiliary members and for all the Vincentian members in India.
Likewise , visit the sick, the disabled and the helpless and provide them with the assistance they need. So this vincentian day can be meaningful by imparting this love of Christ to others.
Let's also follow the path of the St. Vincent de Paul and strive to spread the love of Christ to the poor without desiring fame, status or reward. May our reward be from God. May we be the hands and feet of Christ, reaching out to those in need. Let our Love for the poor be a reflection of the boundless love God has shown us.
I pray and wish that all my dear vincentian brothers and sisters will be able to serve well in the society and
I wish a grace filled and glorious VINCENTIAN DAY for all of you. Let's thank God for everyday and everything he has done for us.
May God bless us all.
S. Jude Mangalraj.
President.
National Council of India, Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
Peace of heart-Without it, no good can make us happy, with it every trial even the approach of death, can be born."
BL. Frederic Ozanam
Today we celebrate the Feast of Blessed Frederic Ozanam,servant to the poor and the FOUNDER of Society of St. Vincent de paul. He was born on 23rd April 1813 in Milan, Italy. The Society was founded in 1833 by Frederic Ozanam and a small group of 6 fellow students. He was a scholar in the full sense and proved to be a great leader who helped others. A person who is the lifelong champion of the Society, the courageous commitment who lived through "Crisis of Faith".
He says that "Let us go to the poor and we must do what is most agreeble to God."
In Frederic's life, love and friendship were inseparable. It is rare in the history of christianity and of the saints to find a sensibility like this. It was constantly tuned into the joys and sorrows of those he loved.
Let's follow the love and friendship which the societies founder showed us for the smooth function of SSVP.
On this glorious day,Let's remember his thoughts and ask for his intercession to influence more and more faithful to contribute to the less fortunate, through the society. Let's seek blessings from the Almighty God to guide us along the best path way for our service and help us to be a better servant of him.
I wish all my Brothers and Sisters a very Happy feast of Blessed Frederic Ozanam.
May God Bless us all through the intercession of BL. Frederic Ozanam.
S.Jude Z R Mangalraj.
President.
SSVP- NC India.
The United Nations (UN) has designated September 5 as INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CHARITY.
For the UN, charity is the main driver of a more inclusive and resilient society, aiming to alleviate the worst effects of humanitarian crises and material poverty.
The decision was taken during the United Nations General Assembly in 2012, through Resolution 67/105. In setting this date, the General Assembly emphasized that poverty is a concrete threat to peace. The UN aims to draw attention to the need to eradicate material poverty through the realization of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with poverty eradication being the first of these.
With this day, the UN also wants to recognize the key role of the private sector, civil society, volunteerism, NGOs and philanthropic initiatives, as they actively contribute to creating an enabling environment for poverty reduction worldwide.
In addition, the United Nations wants to raise the visibility of charitable organizations and increase the mobilization of civil society, to help those in need through the voluntary and generous work of millions of people. This includes the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP) and all the other branches of the Vincentian Family around the world, whose volunteers are selfless and committed to building a more just and fraternal world.
Our model, St. Vincent de Paul, was named in 1885 by Pope Leo XIII “patron of all works of charity in the Catholic Church” and today, he continues to be one of the great references in the field of charity for all humanity. Let us remember that this appointment arose from a request of the Conferences of St. Vincent de Paul in France, so that he would be named patron of the works of charity for the French territory, a fact that took place in 1883, coinciding with the fiftieth anniversary of the Conferences. A year later, in 1884, he would also be declared by the pope patron of all the dioceses of Ireland.
The UN’s inspiration for choosing September 5 as International Charity Day is related to the anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa of Calcutta on September 5, 1997 and who was canonized by Pope Francis in September 2016.
United Nations Department
Council General International
September is a special month for the Vincentian Family, marked by various liturgical commemorations of saints and blessed who, by their lives, exemplified the Vincentian values of humility, simplicity and charity. This month is, therefore, a propitious occasion to celebrate and reflect on the legacy of love and service to others left by these saints.
On September 1, we celebrate Blessed Isabel Cristina Mrad Campos, a young Brazilian woman who lived with purity of heart and a deep love for God. Isabel Cristina was born in 1962 in Barbacena, Minas Gerais, and was martyred at the age of 20 while defending her chastity. Her life was marked by a deep faith and an ardent desire to follow Christ, dedicating herself to her studies and to the catechesis of children. She was an active member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP) and excelled in the youth field. Her courage and sacrifice are testimony to her purity and total dedication to God.
On September 2, the Church celebrates Blessed Louis Joseph François, a French priest martyred during the French Revolution. He was a member of the Congregation of the Mission and was imprisoned for refusing to take the oath demanded by the revolutionary government, as it was against the Catholic faith. His unwavering faith and courage in the face of persecution are clear examples of his fidelity to God and the teachings of the Church, virtues that characterize the Vincentian spirit of fortitude and dedication to the service of Christ.
On September 9, we celebrate Blessed Anthony-Frederic Ozanam, the principal founder of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Born in 1813 in Milan (Italy), Ozanam was a layman who dedicated his life to charity and social justice, inspired by the teachings of St. Vincent de Paul. Together with six other friends, he founded the first Conference of Charity of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, with the aim of promoting Christian charity by helping the poor in a practical and personal way. The virtues of compassion, solidarity and service to others figured prominently in his life, making him a model of Vincentian action.
Also on September 9, the Church celebrates the memory of Blessed Maria Eurythimia Üffing, born in Germany in 1914. She belonged to the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy. Known for her tireless dedication to the sick and needy, especially during World War II, her life was marked by a deep devotion to charity, a reflection of the Vincentian virtues of humility and service to the poor. Her beatification in 2001 by St. John Paul II is a recognition of her witness of faith and love of neighbor, an example of a true Vincentian spirit.
On September 11, we remember St. John Gabriel Perboyre, a priest of the Congregation of the Mission, martyred in China in 1840. St. John Gabriel is known for his courage and unshakable faith. He endured torture and persecution with great fortitude of spirit, never renouncing his faith. His example of missionary dedication and his willingness to suffer for Christ are an inspiration to all Vincentians.
On September 24, we remember Blessed Emilie Gamelin (1800-1851). She was a Canadian woman of extraordinary charity and dedication to the poor. After losing her husband and three children, Emilie channeled her grief into service to the needy, founding in 1843 the Sisters of Providence, a religious congregation dedicated to helping the most vulnerable. Through her work, Emilie transformed compassion into concrete action, helping orphans, the elderly, the sick and prisoners. In recognition of her life of heroic virtue, St. John Paul II beatified her on October 7, 2001.
On September 27, we commemorate the great St. Vincent de Paul, founder of the Congregation of the Mission and the Daughters of Charity. Born in France in 1581, Vincent dedicated his life entirely to the service of the poor and the formation of priests, revolutionizing the social assistance of his time. His virtues of humility, simplicity and meekness made him an icon of Christian love, and his work lives on today in the Vincentian mission. Our model, St. Vincent de Paul, was proclaimed “patron of all the charitable works of the Catholic Church” by Pope Leo XIII in 1885, at the proposal of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of France.
At the end of the month, on September 30, we commemorate Blessed Frederick Albert, born in 1820 in Turin (Italy). He was a diocesan priest deeply committed to the mission of serving the poorest and most marginalized. Inspired by the Vincentian virtues, he founded the Institute of the Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul to attend to the needs of the poor and orphans, offering them education, shelter and spiritual care. Beatified in 1984 by St. John Paul II, Frederick Albert is remembered as a zealous and charitable pastor, whose life was a testimony of love of neighbor and full dedication to Christian charity.
The month of September invites us to reflect on the Vincentian charism, which has as its reference point the constant search for God in the poor and the transformation of society through solidarity and service. The lives of the saints and blesseds we commemorate this month inspire us to live with a burning heart of love for Christ and those most in need, seeking to be true disciples of St. Vincent de Paul in today’s world. The essence of the Vincentian way of life is to be a living sign of Christ’s charity, serving the poor with joy, hope and humility, always with our eyes fixed on heaven.
Brother Renato Lima de Oliveira
SSVP Commissioner to the United Nations and President General from 2016 to 2023.
The idea of general rules was on the minds of all the founders. At the end of 1835, Bailly asked Lallier to draw it up. On December 8, at the general assembly, he read out some preliminary considerations, which were to appear in the Society’s Manual.
The first articles mention the objective and fundamental structures of the Society and the fifth the establishment of a General Council.
1. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul welcomes all young Christians who wish to unite in prayer and participate in the same works of charity, in whatever country they may be.
2 No charitable work should be considered foreign to the Society, even if the Society’s main objective is to visit poor families.
3. When, in a city, several young people belong to the Society […], this meeting is called a conference, which is the name under which the Society has come into existence.
4. When several conferences are established in a city, they are distinguished from each other by the name of the parish in which their members meet. They are united by a specific council which bears the name of the city in which it is established.
5. All the Conferences of the Society are united under a General Council.
The institution of the General Council was included in the reformulation of the statutes in 1839. Bailly was the General President and Ozanam was in charge of drafting the report, which was sent to all the Conferences.
This July, we Vincentians celebrate the 185th anniversary of the establishment of the General Council, both in the reformulation of the internal regulations and in the approval by the General Assembly, even though the Council was not actually constituted until January 1841.
We ask for prayers that the General Council will continue to bring the message of peace, unity and hope to all our members and to those in need around the world.
It is with deep regret that we announce the death of Jérôme Perrin, Secretary General of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul l. Jérôme was, among other service positions, president of the Paris Council. His dedication and commitment to Vincentian values leaves a deep mark that serves as an example for us to continue with even greater strength our evangelical mission in the Conferences.
From the Council General, representing all the members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, we send our sincere condolences to his wife Marie-Claudie, the rest of his family, friends and all those who had the privilege of knowing him and collaborating with him and especially to the Conferences of Paris. We ask for prayers for his soul.
The Council General declares seven days of official mourning, asking the members to apply an intention in the mass for his eternal rest.
The idea of general rules was on the minds of all the founders. At the end of 1835, Bailly asked Lallier to draw it up. On December 8, at the general assembly, he read out some preliminary considerations, which were to appear in the Society’s Manual.
The first articles mention the objective and fundamental structures of the Society and the fifth the establishment of a General Council.
1. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul welcomes all young Christians who wish to unite in prayer and participate in the same works of charity, in whatever country they may be.
2 No charitable work should be considered foreign to the Society, even if the Society’s main objective is to visit poor families.
3. When, in a city, several young people belong to the Society […], this meeting is called a conference, which is the name under which the Society has come into existence.
4. When several conferences are established in a city, they are distinguished from each other by the name of the parish in which their members meet. They are united by a specific council which bears the name of the city in which it is established.
5. All the Conferences of the Society are united under a General Council.
The institution of the General Council was included in the reformulation of the statutes in 1839. Bailly was the General President and Ozanam was in charge of drafting the report, which was sent to all the Conferences.
This July, we Vincentians celebrate the 185th anniversary of the establishment of the General Council, both in the reformulation of the internal regulations and in the approval by the General Assembly, even though the Council was not actually constituted until January 1841.
We ask for prayers that the General Council will continue to bring the message of peace, unity and hope to all our members and to those in need around the world.
On July 4, 1925, at the age of 24, Pier Giorgio Frassati, a great young man who chose to spend his youth in service to the most needy and abandoned, returned to the embrace of the Father. Frassati chose to serve rather than be served; he sought change and did not let himself be shaken even amidst the many trials he faced within his own home. His heart was pure, and in everything he did, he sought to be an image and likeness of Christ!
And as a great gift from this year, just over two months ago, the Church declared that Frassati will be a saint! His canonization is scheduled for the year 2025, alongside the Jubilee, and soon we will have a Vincentian saint for the youth and the mountains! Pope Francis often mentions him to encourage young people to follow his famous motto “To live, not just pretend to live.”
But what about the Vincentian youth? What changes? Everything changes! Because we will have in our midst a great intercessor who not only knew the St. Vincent de Paul Society but was also a part of the movement and left his legacy in the conferences he participated in! Now, more than ever, we know that the strength and faith of our youth can change structures and can reach even more souls for Christ because we will have a Vincentian confrere beside God interceding for us.
And here is another reflection: even if there was no organization of the structure of the SSVP Youth Commission at that time, there is no doubt that Frassati fulfilled his objective: to seek personal sanctification in service to the most needy. He said that life should be a continuous preparation for eternity, as he did not know the day of his death. Thus, when Pope John Paul II beatified him, he presented him as an example of holiness for youth in seeking the extraordinary in the ordinary.
This year, we invite all Vincentian youth from around the world to celebrate and reflect on the theme “United in Synodality and Strengthened in Faith”. The proposal is that we walk together with the theme of the Church, which has constantly reinforced the importance of Synodality in our midst, that is, that we may live as true brothers and sisters in Christ.
In this week when we celebrate the International Day of Vincentian Youth, may we, following the example of Frassati, be audacious in charity and, following in his footsteps, “seek the heights” until we reach heaven!
Juliana Rosa Silva, International Youth Delegate
On this very important date for Vincentian Youth, the president of the International General Council, Juan Manuel B. Gómez, encourages young people in their mission to serve those who need it most.
Reception to the International President General and International Treasurer General
Inauguration of the Platinum Jubilee Housing Project and Dialysis project inauguration
The completion of the projects announced last year on the occasion of the Platinum Jubilee, the blessing ceremonies, the inauguration, and the reception to the International President General Brother Juan Manuel Burgo Gomez took place on June 09 at St. Joseph’s Model HSS, Kuriachira His Grace Mar. Andrews Thazhath, Archbishop of Trichur & CBCI President, inaugurated the program and bless the 6 Jubilee houses on Monday 10.6.2024. International Treasurer General Bro. Alphonsus Wilhelmus Theodorus hand over the key of the Jubilee Houses .Br. Jude S Mangalraj, President of the National Council of India presided over the all functions. The inauguration of the dialysis projects was done by the International President General Br. Juan Manuel Burgo Gómez, at St. Vincent De Paul Hospital Ollur.Benedictory Address was at events by Rev. Fr. Jickson Thazhath C.C. Spiritual Advisor and the dialysis machine was blessed at the hospital. Trichur central council president Br.Jose J.Manjaly welcomed the dignities. The International President General inaugurated the dress bank at the Central Council office building (Vincentian complex) at Thrissur. The release of Frederick Ozanam’s Illustrated Book ,& the declaration of the amended By-Law presented by Bro. Sebastian Thomas and Bro. Litto Palathingal Br. PD Thomas, KRCC Co-ordinator, Rev. Fr. Raphael Thanissery, Rev. Fr. Biju Nanthikara, Rev. Fr. Greejo Vincent Muringathery, Rev. Fr. Sanoj Arangassery, Rev. Sister Kochuthresia Vattoli SABS, Rev. Sr. Steffi CMC, Dr. Vincent Palathingal, Mr. T. R. Shobi, and sri. Joshi Vadakan, spoke felicitations to the program. Vote of Thanks done by Bro. K. A. Shibu (C.C. Senior Vice president) Bro. K.K Paulson, Br. AD Francis, Sr. Reena James, Br. Prasanth Chittilapilly, Br. Jino Jose, Br. K.R. Pius, Bro. Babu V.D, Br. Amal Roy, Br. Vinson Akkara, Br. AL Vincent Br. Poly Jose, Sr. Jemma Vincent and others led the whole function in an excellent way.
The event consisted of several working meetings: Permanent Section (convened as the Confederation’s Board of Directors, in accordance with article 5.1.2 of the bylaws), Territorial Vice-Presidencies, Executive Committee and General Council Bureau.
The meeting began with a solemn Eucharist at the Church of the Holy Cross in Cavelossim, officiated by the Cardinal Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Mons. Filipe Neri Ferrão, and attended by a large number of members of the Goa Central Council.
PGI Speech
After the prayers and welcome by the National President of India, Jude Mangalraj, the President General’s speech that pointed out : “Here we are making true what Frederick Ozanam wrote from Italy, when he was already mortally wounded: See how they love each other”.
He also emphasized that “the example of faith is what has led the Indian Conferences to a constant growth of more than 75,000 members. He also expressed his emotion as a Spaniard to visit for the first time the tomb of St. Francis Xavier, who, in Goa, deployed an intense evangelizing activity since 1542, commenting that like Ozanam, he studied at the Sorbonne, in Paris, becoming a professor. In 1845, Ozanam wrote a letter to Dominique Meynis, the secretary of the Pontifical Work for the Propagation of the Faith, urging him to publish a manual containing, among other documents, the offices of St. Francis Xavier”.
The President recalled that “the saints are the mirrors in which we look at ourselves. For us, faith, founded on the love of God, is what drives us to do works of charity as a sign of the Love of God among men. Charity understood in its etymological sense and not as assistance: charity comes from the Latin caritas, which means mercy, which means love”.
The President announced the creation of an International Foundation to fulfill the President’s program, which can raise funds to support new projects and help address the new forms of poverty faced by the Conferences and Councils.
In closing, the President General thanked “our brothers in India for inviting us to this international meeting, thank you for your generosity and for being such magnificent hosts. Thank you all in the person of your national president, Jude Mangalraj, who always greets us with the fraternal embrace that changes lives, giving us a smile; he is always attentive and ready to serve, for whatever is needed. Thanks to our sister Asha Maria Vaz, president of the Central Council of Goa, for her many kindnesses, and thanks to all of you who have come from so far away.
Permanent Section Meeting
Convened as the Board of Directors of the Confederation, the agenda was presented various reports of the Secretariat, presented by the executive director in the absence of the secretary our brother Jerome Perrin, due to illness, which highlights that in 2023 153 conferences were added in 13 countries and 10 new councils were instituted, in addition to communicating that the system of aggregations is being digitized; the treasury report presented in detail by our brother Alfons Ten Velde, presenting, among other documents, the external audit of the annual accounts for 2023, without reservations or qualifications, and the budget for 2024.
Other Reports. The Formation report by Luz Maria Ramirez, with the activities to be developed, including the international formation meeting in Spain for November 29, 30 and December 1; the Youth report, presented by Edgardo Fuentes, on behalf of Juliana Rosa, who focused on the initiative to promote exchanges and announced the next meeting of the Vincentian Youth in Rome near the Jubilee of Youth, from July 28, 2025 to August 3, 2025, and also the National Vincentian Youth Forum, to be held in Brazil from September 27 to 29 of this year; the Communication report by Adela Redondo, in which the VPTIs and national presidents are asked to send news and quality photos, in addition to commenting that the Ozanam Network wants to give an alternative, in agreement with the experts in communication, the idea of creating a tool similar to the newsletter, which is integrated into the web; the report on Structure and Special Projects presented by Vice-President Julio Marques de Lima, in which he mainly explained the tasks of the territorial vice-presidents; the report on the canonization of Frederick Ozanam was presented, in which it was commented that some medical reports are still pending. Finally, the report on the International Solidarity Fund and the Aggregations, among others, was presented. After reading the reports at the end of the session, all the reports, proposals and agreements presented were approved.
Meeting of Territorial Vice Presidents. Shortly after, our member Julio César Marques de Lima, International Vice President for Structure and Special Projects, opened the International Territorial Vice Presidents Meeting (ITVM), with two lectures on governance and structure, which addressed the problems and solutions faced by countries not only to address the new forms of poverty, but also governance, leadership and management improvement, ending with group discussions.
FAMVIN 13 Houses Campaign. The President General requests the attendees and especially the Territorial Vice Presidents to send information about their “13 Houses” projects, as the Pope is very interested in this initiative and we will present him a report. Our institution is the main contributor due to its presence in many countries, and the Pope wishes to bless 13 keys of the 13 Houses.
The Campaign focuses on: providing shelter, street care or similar initiatives, such as: day centers, prevention services/training programs, and creating small businesses with homeless people.
Any initiative or project that is already underway to be added to the “13 Houses” Campaign, please contact the Coordinating Committee:
fha.campaign@famvin.org or +33 6 43 20 12 56. FHA has a team available to support you in your initiative.
More information: https://vfhomelessalliance.org/
International Executive Committee Meeting
After the Vincentian prayers, Father Orozco CM’s spiritual reflection was read, which dealt with the international program, “Growing Together in Faith” that aims to enable Vincentians to deepen their faith, live as committed disciples of Jesus Christ and contribute to the building of the Kingdom of God on earth.
The agenda began with the readings and approvals of the PGI 2023 Moral Report, the Report of the General Treasurer who presented the 2023 Audited Accounts and the 2024 Budget, as well as the past management of the previous President, Secretary and Treasurer, during 2023.
International Foundation: A resolution was then voted to mandate the President General to create an International Foundation to raise resources and respond, among other things, to the different projects and new types of poverty faced by the Conferences and Councils.
Bylaws. On the other hand, the Report of the Bylaws Committee was presented, proposing different changes to improve management and transparency in governance.
Safeguarding. Following the reading of the Report of the Working Group on Safeguarding, and at the initiative of Mark Gaetani, President of Australia and Elaine Heyworth, 3rd Vice President General, a commission was created to make recommendations in this regard for the upcoming youth events in which young Vincentians will participate. It was approved that the person in charge of this commission will be our sister Claire Victory from Australia.
CIAD Appeal. An annual appeal was made to all the countries of the International Commission for Aid to Development (CIAD) for emergency funds and economic aid for projects that promote development, together with the Twinning Report, which supported social initiatives in 88 countries, the combined endowment reaching 3 billion (¿million?) euros, and the new Strategy 2025 was also presented.
UN Report. Then an interesting report on the work of our activity at the UN was presented by the commissioner, Brother Renato Lima, where we intend to stimulate the culture of peace, the culture of fraternity and the culture of empathy; he reminded us of the different teams where we are positioned at the UN: We are in Paris, in UNESCO the Group of Education and Culture Initiatives; in Geneva in the Human Rights Council, in the Group of Social Initiatives and in New York, in UNESCO in the Catholic Group, in the Group of the initiatives to support the Homeless in line with FAMVIN, and in the Civil Society Forum. He also commented that he is working to seek an agreement with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Other matters. On the other hand, the Bylaws Committee suggested that the countries send suggestions as there will soon be a new meeting of the group.
The Charity in Hope Medal, at the initiative of the Italian National Council, was awarded to Lions Clubs International.
The next day, the second part of the Executive Committee meeting continued. After the Vincentian prayers recited in community, the meeting moved on to the pending matters on the agenda:
In this second part, several of the members present took the floor, among them:
Interventions.
The President of Brazil, Márcio José da Silva, to present the development and assistance he is carrying out with the National Councils of most of the nearby countries and VPTI Sebastião Ribeiro who also presented the activities in South America.
VPTI Maurice Yeung enthusiastically commented on his recent visit to the Japan Conferences, where he was received by the National Council who were very grateful for the visit.
From Africa several interventions, among them from the VPTI our brother Ilidio Manhique, who commented on the existing problems in several countries; James Lesa the president of Zambia mentioned among other problems the serious problem of drought in Africa due to climate change, and especially in Kenya, a disastrous situation that the national president exposed. Regarding the Middle East, VPTI Tamer Chemaly explained the critical situation in these countries and highlighted the deterioration of social life and the economy, especially in Lebanon.
Osvaldo Hidalgo, president of Paraguay, also spoke, congratulating the attendees for the atmosphere generated at this meeting, and on the growth of the Conferences;
Linda Dollar President of Canada commented on the situation in her country and proposed some suggestions for consideration.
Serge Castillon, President of France, was very satisfied with the development of this meeting and made himself available for any matter where France could be of assistance.
VPTI Frank Brasil of New Zealand also spoke, commenting on new initiatives that can be extended to other areas of the Confederation in terms of modernization and management in the Oceania zone.
Willian Alves, vice-president of Brazil, gave an interesting biography of the soon-to-be saint, Pier Giorgio Frassati, the patron of Vincentian Youth and his membership in the Turin Conferences, as well as other topics related to youth.
Commission for the International Foundation. It was commented by the attendees to resume the initiative of the Foundation and the suitability of leaving created in this Executive Committee a commission for this purpose. After the approval of the International Foundation and the entrustment to PGI for its implementation, a commission was formed among those present to bring the International Foundation to fruition, which will be led by our brother John Berry, President of the USA and is composed of him, plus five members appointed by the Committee itself: Mark Gaetani, President of Australia, Alfons Ten Velde, General Treasurer, Sebastian Gramajo, First Vice-President, Urbanus Kinutia, Third Vice-President and Lucy Cher, Territorial Vice-President.
Edgardo Fuentes, a young Honduran, on behalf of the Young Vincentians, closed the round of interventions by expressing his gratitude to the General Council for its support and expressing the great motivation they have to contribute initiatives and actively participate in all the social events and activities programmed.
Meeting of the General Committee of the General Council
After the Vincentian prayers, the meeting continued with the agenda, which among other matters approved the formation of a Committee to start up the Foundation, the Situation in Ukraine was discussed, since they want to resume the Conferences through contacts presented by the Congregation of the Mission, the situation in Slovenia and the next FAMVIN meeting in Rome, where they want to create a Charity Commission and prepare the Jubilee 2025, where the Pope will bless the 13 keys of the 13 Keys Campaign of the Famvin Homeless Alliance.
International meetings: The next board meeting in Munich, October 4-6, 2024, and the next International Vincentian Day to be held in Australia in the fourth quarter of this year, with the presentation of the Confederation’s consolidated accounts, were also discussed.
Other international meetings are for June 2025, the plenary meeting in South Africa; the next Ibero-American meeting in Panama, not yet scheduled, either for the second semester of 2025 or for 2026; the next celebration of the International Vincentian Day 2025, to be held on November 15 in Brazil; and the next general assembly in June 2026, to be held in Mexico.
At the end of the meeting, the Oceania initiative to modernize all management and digitalization processes in the area was presented for further assessment.
A meeting where friendship, harmony and spirituality reigned, thanks to all the members who did their part to make it possible, showing that we are united in fraternal love and in the Vincentian spirit.
The meeting closed with a folkloric performance by a native group and a fraternal dinner with music.
Visit to the Basilica of the Good Shepherd: The finishing touch was the visit to the Basilica of the Good Shepherd, built in 1600, which houses the tomb of St. Francis Xavier and is one of the most important pilgrimage centers in India. It was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. St. Francis Xavier, the great Spanish saint, patron saint of missionaries, called the Apostle of the Indies, co-founder of the Society of Jesus. An exciting place, which transmits peace and recollection, by the large number of blessings that encloses this unique basilica in its walls.
VISIT TO THE CENTRAL COUNCIL OF TRICHUR-KERALA
The President General, accompanied by the National President of India, the Treasurer General and the Executive Assistant, visited for two days the Central Council of Trichur, in the south of the country: they were warmly welcomed by the President, our confrere Jose Manjaly, accompanied by the members of the Council and more than 2,500 Vincentian confreres.
The President General cut the ribbon of several projects, the first one concerning the “13 Houses Campaign” in Kerala – Trichur, in the presence of Archbishop Andrews Thazhath who gave his blessing. With these 6 new houses the SSVP will give support and help to the poorest families in the area. The Central Council of Trichur has already 75 houses for the needy in its 75 years of existence.
The President General, accompanied by Treasurer General Alfons Ten Velde and Jude Mangalraf, National President of India, then inaugurated the new dialysis project in the capital of Trichur, at St. Vincent de Paul Hospital. Thanks to this initiative, six new dialysis machines will be distributed to different hospitals and thousands of patients will be able to receive treatment and improve their quality of life.
The following day, the President General, together with the Treasurer, the President of India and the Executive Assistant, inaugurated the “Enduring Love” project, in the presence of more than 1,500 Vincentian confreres, which begins its activity with the distribution of kits for dialysis patients. The treatment will be provided free of charge to many patients in vulnerable situations. Among other civil and ecclesiastical personalities and members of the Regional Committee of Kerala, the event was attended by the Archbishop of the Syrian-Malabar Catholic Church, Monsignor Mar Raphael Tattil, and the Bishop of the Diocese of Irinjalakuda, Monsignor Mar Pauly Kannookadan.
The visit to the social closet located in the facilities of the Central Council of Trichur, where the Vincentian women collect, classify and distribute, with love and care, the clothes to assist the most needy people in the area, was the last official act of the visit.
Thanks again for the hospitality, affection and treatment received. A visit that will remain in the memory for a long time.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The Annual meeting of CGI in Goa between 6 to 8 Juen ,2024 has ended successfully. The CGI board and the delegates from various countries appreciated the arrangements and support towards the CGI AGM in Goa.
The spiritual advisor, and the Vincentians who have extended their support and cooperation directly and indirectly. Our International President General and the delegates from Various countries were so happy and pleased by the hospitality and arrangements done in India. Because of your prayers it all turned into a grand success. On behalf of the National council of India, I thank Goa central Council, sister Asha Maria Vaz,. Once again my sincere thanks to each one of you for the support and Prayers from the bottom of my heart.
It turned to a grand success!
S. Jude Mangalraj.
President. SSVP.
The National Council of India
.
Home visits are one of the most prominent actions in the SSVP alongside poor families
On May 15th, humanity will be celebrating the INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FAMILIES. The date was established by the United Nations (UN) in 1994. Therefore, this year marks the 30th anniversary of this feast.
The UN aims to encourage debate on current issues, especially climate change, relating them to the theme of the family. This date honors the family institution, which is the center of society and essential for the moral formation of all individuals.
The theme of the family is closely related to the Church and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Numerous popes have written documents portraying the situation of families, highlighting the struggles they face and presenting, in response, the virtues of the Holy Family of Nazareth: Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
We also remember the families of our seven founders, especially the Ozanam Family, whose life story is itself a valuable example of resilience, spirituality, holiness, and service. Antoine-Frederic, Amelie and Marie-Josephine are another remarkable example of family for us, Vincentians.
For us at SSVP, families are at the heart of Vincentian activity, as home visits are the most important action carried out by the Conferences since its foundation in 1833, in the effective fight against various forms of poverty, including moral, spiritual, and material poverty.
Families have been undergoing various transformations. In the 21st century, families are bombarded with narratives, ideologies, and values that undermine human dignity, such as abortion and euthanasia. We know that weakening the family is the beginning of civil society’s destruction.
The Council General International recommends that, during the week of May 15th, all Conferences and Councils choose family-related themes as spiritual reading in their meetings and events.
As a suggestion, we recommend reading the Apostolic Exhortation “Familiaris Consortio,” available in nine languages, where Pope Saint John Paul II, with mastery and doctrinal depth, rescues the role of the Christian family in today’s world.
Familiaris Consortio:
More details about the INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FAMILIES:
https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-of-families
NCI Board and Managing Committee Meeting was held on 4 May and 5 May 2024 at Ernakulam, Kerala. NCI office bearers and Regional co-ordinators were presented their Annual reports for the year 2023-2024.
Pier Giorgio Frassati, the boy who loved to take his friends to the mountains to push their gaze “upward,” will be declared a saint next year. The young Blessed from Turin, a lover of God and mankind, will be canonized during the Jubilee of 2025.
The big announcement was made this afternoon by the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, who spoke during the XVIII National Assembly of Italian Catholic Action, in Sacrofano. “I would like to tell you that the canonization of Blessed Piergiorgio Frassati is now clear on the horizon and is looming for the next Jubilee Year,” said the cardinal, whose speech was interrupted by a long applause from the thousand CA members present.
“In the homily for the rite of his beatification rite,” the prefect added, citing Frassati among the most luminous figures of the saints who grew up in Catholic Action, which took place on May 20, 1990, St. John Paul II called him a man of the Beatitudes; he also said that “in Catholic Action he lived his Christian vocation with joy and pride and was committed to loving Jesus and seeing in him the brothers and sisters he met along the way. Frassati, who was born in Turin in 1901 and died at the age of 24, was a “wonderful model of Christian life,” said Semeraro, who lived his youth, quoting John Paul II, “completely immersed in the mystery of God and dedicated to the constant service of his neighbor.”
The young Blessed of Turin, son of Alfredo Frassati, historical director of La Stampa of Turin, was involved from a very young age in the active laity, and in particular in Catholic Action and the FUCI (Italian Catholic University Federation), growing in Christian faith and in the desire to serve the poorest. He is considered one of the “social saints” of Turin, like Don Giovanni Bosco and Don Giuseppe Cottolengo, although he was not yet formally a saint, because of his life dedicated to the most fragile and marginalized. “In Piergiorgio’s holiness – continued Semeraro – there is a value of continuity with the tradition of his land: he, in fact, was grafted into the work of defending the faith, through the charity lavished in the field of marginalization.” At the age of 19 Frassati had joined the Conferences of St. Vincent de Paul, to help the most needy, and at the age of 21 he became a Dominican tertiary.
Blessed was a young man among young people, a friend of all, a lover of sports, poetry and mountaineering. “However, there is also an element of novelty,” the prefect concluded, “and that is the fact that he tried to compare the value of faith with the whole of human experience, working charitably in all areas: At the university, in the workplace, in the press (Pier Giorgio collected subscriptions not for his father’s newspaper, but for the Catholic one), of political and partisan commitment, and everywhere it was necessary to defend social freedoms, always seeking to conceive and encourage associationism, as a Christian friendship aimed at the birth of a social Catholicism.”
Last Thursday, April 25, during the audience in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis stressed, added Semeraro, that “the life of associations finds its common denominator precisely in the embrace of charity”.
Source: https://www.avvenire.it/
"I WOULD LIKE TO EMBRACE THE WHOLE WORLD IN A NETWORK OF CHARITY"
- BL. Frederic Ozanam.
Beloved Brothers and Sisters,
As we approach the 211th anniversary of the birth of Blessed Frederic Ozanam on April 23rd, let us reflect on his profound legacy as the founder of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. He was a holy visionary who, through his unwavering faith and compassion, adorned the destitute with the sanctified mantle of kindness.
Born in Milan, Italy on April 23rd, 1813, Blessed Frederic Ozanam exemplified deep faith and boundless empathy from a young age. At just 20 years old, he responded to a challenge from a fellow student to translate his Catholic beliefs into action by establishing the Conference of Charity, later known as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
His conviction in the inherent worth of every individual propelled him to serve the impoverished of Paris diligently, inspiring others worldwide to follow suit in aiding the less fortunate.
Let us heed his timeless counsel: "Let's do without hesitation whatever lies in our hands. Recognizing each person as a unique creation of God, deserving unwavering respect, he emphasized that charity, akin to the Good Samaritan, tends to the wounds of the afflicted while justice strives to prevent their affliction.
In light of his wisdom, I urge all Vincentians to embark on innovative initiatives within their respective Conferences, Area councils, and Central Councils, thus fortifying our society. Your collaboration is pivotal in this endeavour.
As we commemorate this auspicious occasion, let us lift our prayers to God, beseeching HIS blessings.
“Oh God, who filled the hearts of Blessed Frederic Ozanam and his companions with a love of the poor and inspired them to found a society for the relief of the needs of the suffering, bless the work of Christian charity. If it is Your will that the church should honour Bl. Frederic as a saint, we ask You to show by miracles how pleasing he was in Your sight. Through Christ our Lord - Amen”
I extend heartfelt wishes to all on this momentous birthday of Blessed Frederic Ozanam, the esteemed founder of our Society. May God's blessings be upon you abundantly.
Let us honour the memory of Blessed Frederic Ozanam throughout the week by engaging in acts of piety and kindness.
S.Jude Z R Mangalraj
Servant Leader
The National Council of India
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
April 23, 2024 marks the 211th anniversary of the birth of Frederic Ozanam and the 191st anniversary of the creation of the first charity conference. A seemingly insignificant event, a controversy over the then scarce charitable action of the Church in France, occurring in a debate between believers and non-believers at a history conference, generated a movement of charity and mutual friendship that, today, gathers hundreds of thousands of people around the same ideal: to follow Jesus Christ in fidelity, serving him in the most needy people of our world.
The chronicles on the origins of the first charity conference are all distanced from the facts. There are no minutes of the first meetings, and the first account of its constitution was written more than a year later[1] . The early members of the Society were reluctant to offer specific details about the origins of the association, and attributed its creation to God and his providence. Nevertheless, the testimonies as a whole give us a sufficiently reliable picture of what the beginnings were like.
At the beginning of his second university year (that is, in the last quarter of 1832), Frederick began to participate in the twice-weekly law lectures. In these lectures “controversial questions are discussed. In each case there are two lawyers and another one who exercises the function of public prosecutor. The others judge the merits of the case and the merits of the pleadings. Reading is not allowed, so they almost always improvise; where they have to practice the most is in the replies”[2] .
The students who attended were not all Christians, and lively debates were often raised, among which “the doctrines and works” of Catholicism were not exempt, where “all opinions are admitted to the rostrum”[3] . Ozanam, Lamache and Lallier formed a small committee that prepared the arguments to the questions raised by their adversaries during the debates: “One day, while Lallier was conversing with Le Taillandier, the latter confided to him his weariness with these discussions, which he considered fruitless, and said how much he thought it preferable that the Catholic students found an association of piety and charity. This suggestion, which Lallier communicated to Ozanam and Lamache, did not take long to germinate in the minds of our young people, and suddenly reappeared at the end of a stormy session of the history conference”[4] .
During one of the meetings of the history conference, possibly in mid-February 1833, one of the reproaches made a deep impression on Frederick and his friend Le Taillandier: “Yes, you have the right to speak of the past. In days gone by, Christianity did indeed work wonders, but today Christianity is dead. And you, who boast of being Catholics, what do you do? What works can you show that prove your faith and make us feel respect and recognition?”[5] .
The committee formed by Ozanam, Lallier and Lamache soon met at Lamache’s house; Lallier, in 1882, vividly remembers the scene: Frederic’s sad eyes, but also full of ardor and fire, and his suggestion to form a group made up exclusively of Catholics, dedicated solely to charity[6] . After a second meeting at the home of another friend, Antonin Serre, to which Le Taillandier was also invited, they reaffirmed their intention to create a charitable group. Ozanam went to the printer Emmanuel Bailly to ask him for guidance to do so, who suggested, at first, to seek the advice of Abbé Olivier, parish priest of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont. The abbé received the young men with kindness – also with a certain condescension – and suggested that they give catechism classes to the children of the workers in the parish. The suggestion was unfeasible: the students sought to serve the needy directly; moreover, giving catechesis might conflict, during some times of the year, with their university studies and exams. They returned to Bailly’s house to tell the parish priest about the failed visit, who finally “let himself be convinced: but he pointed out to them that there were only four of them, an insufficient number to found a work. Ozanam immediately pointed out two other students who regularly attended the history conference and knew well: Clavé and Devaux. He took it upon himself to invite them to participate in the projected work, and they gladly accepted”[7] .
Next to the church of Saint-Sulpice, Bailly had the headquarters of his newspaper La Tribune catholique (at 18 rue Petit-Bourbon, today 38 rue Saint-Sulpice). On Tuesday, April 23, around 8 p.m., six young men came there to meet him, and asked him to be president of the charity conference (a position he would hold until 1844).
The meeting began with the recitation of the Veni Sancte Spiritus and a brief reading from the Imitation of Jesus Christ. Bailly then gave a brief speech, urging them to sanctify their lives by helping the needy as they would help the suffering Jesus Christ himself, present in the person of the poor.
The main objective of this meeting was to determine how to help poor families in their homes: which ones to visit, what assistance would be offered to them and where the resources would be obtained. It was decided that, as far as possible, the aid would not be given in cash, but in kind, in the form of vouchers from various suppliers. It was also agreed to entrust Devaux with the task of going to talk to the daughter of charity Rosalie Rendu[8] – Mr. Bailly knew her – to ask her for a list of families to assist, and to beg her “to kindly cede against their value in money some of the vouchers she was using”[9] . The name charity conference was chosen to identify the group. It is likely that at this first meeting the patronage of St. Vincent de Paul was already being sought. They also undertook to raise the necessary funds at their own expense, and that each one would contribute according to his means by means of an anonymous collection at each meeting. They appointed Devaux as treasurer and made the first collection in a hat. They agreed to meet on Tuesdays of each week, and ended the meeting by praying together the Marian antiphon Under Thy Protection.
That same week, Devaux went to visit Sister Rosalie with a letter of recommendation from Mr. Bailly. Sister warmly welcomed the initiative of the young university students, giving them a list of families to serve, as well as some food vouchers to distribute. At the second meeting of the charity conference, on April 30, Devaux shared with the group the good reception and collaboration of Sister, whom the Society of St. Vincent de Paul has always recognized as a fundamental person for its establishment and development. From then on, the number of members gradually increased, exceeding fifteen by the end of the university year, in August 1833.
The founders always entrusted the creation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to divine providence. Attentive to what today we call the signs of the times, they were not indifferent to the social and ecclesial situation of their time, and attentive to the needs they saw, they sought to seek holiness, to live in friendship and brotherhood, and to serve those in need by responding to the many misfortunes they saw around them.
In many ways, our world is going through dark times similar to those of almost two centuries ago. There are many needs, but also much insensitivity. Our mission, as heirs to the Vincentian charism of our elders, is to continue the work they carried out, providing creative and bold responses to the many local and global problems affecting our world.
Francisco Javier Fernández Chento
Coordinator of the International Historical Commission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul
[1]This Report on the Activities of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, dated June 27, 1834, was soon lost and was not found until more than a century later (in 1955).
[2]Letter to Ernest Falconnet, January 5, 1833.
[3]Letter to Ernest Falconnet, March 19, 1833.
[4]Albert Foucault, La Société de Saint-Vincent-de-Paul. Histoire de cent ans, p. 15.
[5]Ozanam’s speech to the Florence conference, January 30, 1853.
[6]Cf. François Lallier, Origins of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, according to the recollections of its first members, p. 14.
[7]Albert Foucault, op. cit., p. 18.
[8]Sister Rosalie organized the distribution of aid from the Bureau de bienfaisance of the Mouffetard district. The Bureau de bienfaisance were municipal offices created by law on November 27, 1796, after the French Revolution confiscated Church property. They provided assistance to the sick, the elderly and the disabled who could not be accommodated in hospices.
[9]François Lallier, op. cit., p. 18.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul celebrates its 191st anniversary today, April 23, since its seven founders: Emmanuel Bailly, Auguste Le Tallendier, François Lallier, Paul Lamache, Félix Clavé, Jules Devaux and Frederic Ozanam as leader of the group, founded, putting friendship before action, the first Conference of Charity.
Frederick, a model of life at the service of good and truth, is the one who best interprets and gives continuity to the teachings of St. Vincent de Paul, enabling its rapid expansion throughout the world.
Frederick Ozanam is a tireless activist in favor of Christianity and in defense of social justice, proof of this is the recognition of St. John Paul II in the Mass of his beatification, when he considers him: “a precursor of the social doctrine of the Church, which Pope Leo XIII developed some years later in the encyclical Rerum novarum”. His writings are of great relevance today, but many of them are still unknown, so from the General Council we are making a great effort to disseminate them.
The problems and conflicts that Frederic Ozanam experienced in his time are, in many ways, identical to those we experience today, almost two centuries later. He does not limit himself to exposing social problems, but offers solutions and encourages everyone, especially his friends, to take a step forward in favor of the most oppressed, as he does in his writings and also in his life. For Federico, God’s blessing will come if we keep the faith, because by keeping our faith we will be able to communicate it to others through the channels of charity, knowing that our main mission is evangelization.
This is one of the founding messages that we remember on this 191st anniversary, to keep in mind that charity is not an end in itself, but the best means to spread the Love of God.
On this anniversary day, we share in the Eucharist a special remembrance of our founders and we raise in fraternal community a prayer to the Lord, so that he may make us worthy of the legacy we have received.
Juan Manuel B. Gomez
XVII President General
Antonio Gianfico, International Vice President for relations with the Vatican, presented a plaque and congratulated Father Tomas for Easter, in the presence of Father Guerra and Father Turati, his secretary.
It was a very cordial meeting where the situation of the SSVP in the world was reported and the effort that our institution is making to bring more and more Vincentians to the International General Council promoting initiatives to enhance the interest in volunteering in the Conferences with special attention to young people.
The interest in the progress of the cause of canonization of Frederick Ozanam was also commented.
Francisco Holgado, permanent deacon and president of the Zone Council of Cadiz (Spain), on behalf of the International General Council, delivers to the Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See in Spain and Andorra, Monsignor Bernardito Auza, an exact replica of the crucifix that Frederick Ozanam always had present on his desk, in the hope of his forthcoming sanctification.
Jerez de la Frontera (Cadiz), April 2024.
After five years of studies, reflections, consultations and debates, the Holy See has published this week, April 8, the Declaration “Dignitas Infinita”, focused on grave violations of human dignity. The text was prepared by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and is available in six languages: Italian, French, English, German, Spanish and Portuguese.
The Declaration “Dignitas Infinita” is divided into four chapters, written in 66 themes: 1) A growing awareness of the centrality of human dignity, 2) The Church proclaims, promotes and guarantees human dignity, 3) Dignity, the foundation of human rights and duties, and 4) Some grave violations of human dignity.
In addition to abortion, euthanasia, gender theory and surrogacy (known as “surrogate motherhood”), poverty, war and human trafficking are also on the list of very serious ethical violations. The list is not exhaustive, but it gives the main examples of modern evils that afflict humanity and go against Gospel values, and obviously against human dignity.
For us, SSVP members, the section on “The drama of poverty” (themes 36 and 37), considered the greatest injustice of contemporary society, is particularly important. In the document, poverty is associated with unemployment: “there is no worse poverty than that which deprives people of work and the dignity of work”.
In addition to material poverty, the text lists other violations, such as wars, the suffering of migrants, human trafficking, sexual abuse, violence against women, abortion, surrogate motherhood, euthanasia and assisted suicide, the discarding of disabled people, gender theory, gender reassignment and sexual violence.
The Holy See also considers the practice of polygamy, subhuman living conditions, slavery, prostitution and trafficking of women and girls a grave violation of human dignity. It also mentions the death penalty, which “violates the inalienable dignity of every human person beyond all circumstances.”
The list of violations is completed by “digital violence,” citing that new forms of violence are spreading through social networks, such as cyberbullying, pornography and the exploitation of people for sexual purposes or through gambling.
In summary, the statement explains that all these violations represent “everything that is contrary to life” and also “everything that undermines the integrity of the human person.”
We recommend the Vincentian Conferences to download the file of the declaration and meditate on it as spiritual reading. All violations of human dignity must be denounced and combated by all of us Christians and Vincentians.
Brother Renato Lima de Oliveira
Commissioner to the United Nations
16th President General (2016/2023)
On the Feast of the Annunciation, the Daughters of Charity throughout the world renew their commitment to those most in need. They once again give us their “yes”, always in fidelity to Jesus Christ and in the company of our mother Mary.
From the SSVP we wish them a joyful day. Knowing and seeing their dedication and love for the most needy, speaks to us of God, because only HE keeps our hearts always encouraged towards the future.
We ask a prayer for all the Daughters of Charity in the world, so that by the hand of Our Lady they may continue with joy on the path of faith.
United in St. Vincent.
Better and Better Together
Message to the Presidents of National Councils, Conferences, and General Membership of the SSVP Around the World
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We are asking you to help today by contributing generously to this Annual Appeal for the Fund for International Solidarity (FIS). This is the fund used by the Commission for International Aid and
Development (CIAD) so that the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Council General International (CGI) can rapidly assist our brothers and sisters struggling to respond to disasters and other emergency needs
around the world.
Thanks to the loving support of our worldwide network of charity, we can draw from the contributions generously provided to our Fund for International Solidarity to give our conferences and councils the funds they need to help these struggling friends with the help they urgently need. Often, they are doing so with extremely limited resources.
We need to replenish this fund annually, which is why we are seeking your help today. We are asking you, your Councils and Conferences, and your General Membership to respond to this once-a-year worldwide appeal for Vincentian solidarity with as generous a gift as you are able offer.
Your generosity will permit us to …
We need your help, and that of your Councils, your Conferences, and your Membership! Please review and share the recently published CIAD Annual Report to see your contributions at work.
This is the third year we have relied on a single annual appeal rather than soliciting funds in response to particular emergencies. That previous strategy often ignored smaller, yet very compelling disasters as our
members generously gave funds mostly to address those tragic events that received the most media attention. Our Commission is very careful to fund projects that demonstrate accountability, and we do not collect funds in excess of our local members’ capacity to use them in a timely manner.
This year we again ask everyone in our network of charity to support the Fund for International Solidarity generously. Some who receive this appeal are blessed to be able to respond with greater sums than others may be able to offer, but all gifts will be gratefully received! Most importantly, we ask for your prayers for the victims of disaster and for those who bring relief to their neighbors in need.
Serving in Hope,
Juan Manuel Buergo Gomez
17th President Generation International
Cgi.17president@ssvpglobal.org
PS: We ask that you endorse this appeal and share it with your Council and Conference leadership and General Membership. From the Council General to parish volunteers, we are a single, worldwide
community of love and support. We stand together to respond to crises, to meet ongoing and systemic needs, and to proclaim as one the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
Thank you for your support and generosity!
We are asking National Councils to gather the donations on their own territory, and subsequently send them to CGI. For more details, please get in touch with your National Council or with CGI through cgi.appeals@ssvpglobal.org.
My dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ.
Have Faith in him. And he will always be there for you.
Wishing you all A Blessed and Happy Easter
I am the Resurrection and the life."St. John: 11:25,26
The joy of Easter is a remember of God's enduring *LOVE* for us. In His perfect love, Jesus sacrificed Himself for us. Easter gives us the hope of *His Resurrection*.
The “Resurrection of Jesus” convinces us that there is a purpose beyond any humiliation.
We the Vincentians are the ones who are called to journey to holiness by seeing Jesus Christ in the helpless, downtrodden, those who are in pain. Therefore, we should try to make the foundational stones of the Christian faith, love of God and brotherly love, primitive in our Vincentian service.
Let us also try to follow the example of the risen Christ in contact and sharing with poor and self-concentration. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. (Galatians: 6:9)
May the spirit of Easter keep blooming in our heart and inspire us each day and may the promise of the Easter Season bring you all great joy and abundant peace in the love and promise of the Lord. The great gift of Easter is hope. Just like after every night comes a dawn and after every storm comes a clear sky, Jesus’s resurrection is a testament to life after death. (1 peter 1:3)
May the gift of Easter bring us plenty of joy peace and prosperity and success.
Wishing you all a wonderful Easter blessing to you and your family.
S.Jude Z R Mangalraj.
President.
The National Council of India.
“The question which is agitating the world today is a social one. It is a struggle between those who have nothing and those who have too much. It is a violent clash of opulence and poverty which is shaking the ground under our feet. Our duty as Christians is to place ourselves between these two camps to accomplish by love, what justice alone cannot do” – Blessed Frederic Ozanam
In a modern-day clash between opulence and poverty, a dialogue is needed to truly understand how the charity retail sector, the SSVP Thrift Store in particular, can ameliorate the fast fashion business model of excessive production, consumption, and disposal of low-cost clothing, and in so doing, respond more authentically to the cries of both the earth and the poor.
The role of the SSVP within the global clothing industry
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, revenue from the global fashion industry was estimated at between $1.7 trillion and $2.5 trillion (Euromonitor and McKinsey) with the sector also employing over 75 million people (solidaritycentre.org). It will surprise some people to know that the SSVP is a global player in that sector with an estimated network of over 1,600 thrift shops globally, primarily across North America (USA 550, Canada 100), Australia (633), Ireland (230), New Zealand (60+) and England & Wales (50). Thanks to changing consumer behaviour, led by climate activists, ethical shoppers, bargain hunters and vintage collectors, second hand clothing or thrifting as it has become known, is delivering exponential growth globally, with 2027 revenue expected to pass $351 billion dollars (statista.com).
SSVP Thrift Store – So much more than a charity shop
The staff and volunteers who work in our charity shops and indeed those who frequent them as customers or donors, understand their true value as:
However, a recent study, completed by the Charity Retail Association in the UK, also identified that for every £1 invested in charity shops, £7.35 of social value is generated, creating an additional £75.3 billion pounds sterling of social value across the UK in 2022. This is in addition to over €900 million of income annually across the UK for parent charities.
Conferences and Councils are invited to reflect on these themes
The month of February brings with it two very significant dates for the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and for humanity as a whole. These are the INTERNATIONAL DAY OF HUMAN FRATERNITY (February 4th) and the WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE (February 20th), both established by the United Nations Organization (UNO).
The Council General International invites Vincentians around the world to initiate a reflection on these two days by the reading of texts and articles at Conferences and Councils meetings.
To celebrate “human fraternity”, the UN wants to mobilize all efforts to promote a culture of peace, tolerance, inclusion and solidarity. Above all, it is a matter of respecting people and accepting them as they are, including their religious or political choice, without discrimination and in pursuit of dialogue.
On the “social justice” day, the United Nations’ objective is to underline equality among people, guaranteeing freedom (political, religious, freedom of thought and expression), working conditions and, opportunities for health and education, as well as care for the disadvantaged, such as children, the elderly and the disabled.
Blessed Antoine Frederic Ozanam played a remarkable role for the Holy Church to promote the concept of social justice, which is consolidated in the Social Doctrine of the Church.
These two “ international days,” defined by the United Nations, are powerful instruments of dialogue on sensitive and essential issues for humanity, which broaden the conscience of societies in search of a more fraternal coexistence among all peoples.
Throughout this year, the Council General International will encourage all Conferences and Councils to reflect on the UN dates that are most representative of the Vincentian charism, and thus improve our actions toward our fellow men and women and among Vincentians.
Brother Renato Lima de Oliveira
CGI Commissioner to the United Nations
My dear fellow members, aspirants, employees at our offices and social works, dear collaborators and volunteers:
As you know, on September 9, 2023, in the Chapel of St. Vincent de Paul in Paris, I had the honor of being invested as the 17th President General of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul by my predecessor, brother Renato Lima de Oliveira. For me it is a great responsibility and a special challenge to personify the unity of the Society in the world. Thank you very much for your trust.
From the General Council, I invite you, together, to continue strengthening the advances in training, youth, communications, governance, institutional relations and other strategic aspects developed during the previous mandate.
Leading the Confederation with a spirit of service, which by the will of the Lord is implanted in 155 countries, each with its own culture and particularities, requires an effort, not only from the President General but also from the entire structure and ultimately from all the members, in order to maintain our unity and to be recognized as a community that is a sign of the love of Christ. To this end, we need to feel this unity, that of being part of a single Conference of friends, which extends throughout the world.
Community identity:
The Conferences were born with a strong sense of community, of global community and have remained so for 190 years, far removed from the more individualistic and abstract modern concept of universality, reduced to economic or technical relations.
The principle of our Conferences is friendship and the double purpose for which they are founded is to be useful to our brothers and sisters and to ourselves. After the act of faith came the act of charity, but as Ozanam writes: “charity must be a means, not the end of our association, which is rather to spread the spirit of Christianity, which is the spirit of Love”.
From this sentiment, the motto of my presidency is taken from a letter of Ozanam from Pisa in 1853, when he was already mortally wounded: “Although they speak different languages, their hands always meet with such fraternal cordiality that they could well recognize us by the same sign with which they recognized the first Christians: Look how they love each other!
Sometimes we are busy with Conference matters and we tend to secularize ourselves, to measure ourselves by the kilos of food or clothes we give and not so much by the spiritual assistance we give to the suffering people. As our founder in Spain, the now Venerable Santiago de Masarnau, who knew Frederic Ozanam in Paris, used to say: “If we measure ourselves only by this, the Conferences will disappear, not in the eyes of men, but in the eyes of God”.
Presidential program:
In order for this Vincentian mission to give greater meaning to our life, and with the approval of the General Council, I have commissioned the Spiritual Advisors of the General Council, Father José Francisco Orozco CM and Father Andrés Motto CM, to develop a program entitled: “Growing Together in Faith”. Ongoing Vincentian Formation is of fundamental importance in the life of the Conferences.
In addition, I would like to highlight some of the strategic priorities of this presidential mandate – the full program, for more details, is on our corporate website – that are rooted in our Rule, which underpins our unity and friendship:
– To institute once a year an International Vincentian Day in an important city of each continent, to be an event of worldwide repercussion, in order to make our Society and its social actions better known. An annual international event, through art and culture as a universal language, to give greater visibility to all that we do and to assert ourselves as faithful transmitters of the Word of God. An initiative ratified by the General Council that must have the support and help of the National Councils.
– Strengthen and increase our support to international twinning and solidarity projects, this is a request that is always present at all meetings. In this line, from the General Council, we are studying how we can implement or join projects in line with the encyclical ‘Laudato Si’. The initiative is to try to contribute to solving the dramatic consequences of environmental degradation in the lives of the world’s poorest.
– Encourage the presence of young people in local and international events and activities, since our young people are the natural successors in the Conferences. Therefore, it is a requirement, to maintain and enhance the annual collection to finance their activities.
– To revise the Annual Report of the Council General International to add, for information purposes, the Annual Reports of all the National Councils, in order to demonstrate the global impact that SSVP represents in the world, to increase its credibility and to ask for more support. I hope that all of you will enthusiastically support this initiative, approved by the General Council, and that you will bring your Annual Reports for 2023 (Income and Expenses only, both of the National and Superior Councils, as well as of the social works in which the SSVP participate), to the Paris Office, before March 18, 2024, in order to consolidate them for information purposes only. If your fiscal year does not coincide with the calendar year, you can extrapolate the data.
– To study new creative forms of financing, so that the Councils and Conferences can address the changing types of poverty we face in our countries, as well as to seek and raise resources to finance these initiatives. From the team that forms the lnternational Commission for Aid to Development (CIAD), we will lead this initiative.
– Finally, and as a priority to be emphasized for a better governance, transparency and unity of the SSVP, I have instituted a third deputy vice-presidency, with the agreement of the General Council, to organize a team to review and, if necessary, make proposals for the modification of the international statutes.
As well, from February 8 to December 8, 2024, the International Year will be dedicated to the Venerable Jean-Léon Le Prévost, (1803-1874). Le Prévost asked at the February 4, 1834 meeting that the Conference of Charity be placed under the patronage of St. Vincent de Paul and celebrate his feast day, and that each meeting begin and end with a prayer. Ozanam, in turn, requested that the Conference be placed under the protection of the Virgin Mary and celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8. Since then, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul has maintained two patronages, that of the Immaculate Conception and that of St. Vincent de Paul.
Community as the path to holiness:
The Conferences, from the beginning, demonstrated a committed social action rooted in the Gospel. Now more than ever and in view of the sanctification of Frederic Ozanam, we need a greater commitment to strengthen our social actions, not only to know the immediate fruits of our help to alleviate material and spiritual needs, but also to awaken the social conscience of many.
It will be by our example of unity, of mutual love, with a greater sense of community, that contagious joy, that Christian commitment, with which we will inspire and promote the healthy growth of the Conferences of Saint Vincent de Paul, will be manifested to others.
The General Council is open to listen to all ideas and proposals to carry out this program and improve it. It is in the community that we are perfected, where we pray together, grow in faith and mature as persons.
This is why I ask for your participation, contributing initiatives, sending articles, photos and news of all that you do, to International Communication, to awaken the consciences with our example and to make us stand out as messengers of the Word of God.
Acknowledgements:
Finally, I would like to thank first of all our outgoing President General, Renato Lima for his generous dedication and devotion and all the members who made up the previous team, for all the positive things they have contributed. I would also like to thank the members who have joined the new team and have accepted a position of service, as well as all the members and volunteers in general, for their selfless work, always recognized in the eyes of God.
Also to all the employees, benefactors and friends of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul for their support for a more socially just society. Thanks to the Congregation of the Mission, the Daughters of Charity and all the branches of the Vincentian Family with whom we collaborate to strive to make the world a better place, in the spirit of the teachings of St. Vincent de Paul, our patron saint.
I would also like to make a special mention of gratitude to the spouses and relatives of the members from all over the world, who patiently put up with the absences and sometimes also suffer changes in family plans due to a service assignment.
In this year 2024 that is beginning, I implore the Miraculous Virgin to protect the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, the Vincentian Family, us, our families and the people in need we serve.
Receive a fraternal embrace in St. Vincent de Paul and in Blessed Frederic Ozanam
Juan Manuel B. Gomez
XVII President General
Click here to download the Circular Letter in PDF
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF INDIA
WOMEN'S SEMINAR 2024
The National Council of India Women's Seminar, organized by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, took place at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre Paalana Bhavana in Bangalore on January 27th and 28th, 2024. The event was inaugurated by Most Rev. Dr. Petre Machado, the Archbishop of the Archdiocese Bangalore, in the presence of National President Bro. S. Jude ZR Mangalraj and Vice President Bro. Dr. A. Francis.
Approximately 85 women representatives participated in the two-day seminar, representing various regions of India. The program commenced with the National President Bro. Jude Mangalraj hoisting the flag, followed by the participants conducting a Bible Enthronement ceremony in the Seminar Hall.
The seminar included a variety of activities, such as traditional dance performances, lectures, and discussions on important topics. Bro. S. Jude Mangalraj addressed the role of women in society, while other sessions covered core values of Vincentians, women empowerment, spirituality in Vincentian life, the importance of vision, effective leadership, and empowering the underprivileged.
Several distinguished speakers, including Bro. Francis Victor and Bro. Maria Francis, shared their insights during the seminar. Representatives from different regions presented reports on their activities. Rev. Dr. George Kannamthanam explained the Eye Donation Project, which was inaugurated by NCI President Bro. Jude Mangalraj.
The seminar provided a platform for participants from various regions to understand and appreciate the diverse cultures, languages, and performances. Workshops, such as a candle-making demo by Andhra and Telangana region, aimed to empower underprivileged areas.
Collage presentations and group-wise quiz programs encouraged discussions on Vincentian values, helping the poor, and uplifting society. The cultural programs and discussions explored ways to involve more women volunteers in society and improve activities for the betterment of the community.
The two-day event concluded with a meditation for spiritual awakening led by Sister Jolly Sebastian, followed by a Rosary procession. Prayer sessions were conducted by various representatives, and Sr. Mattilda from Trichur CC expressed words of appreciation. The NCI president honored participants with a momento, extending prayerful greetings for their dedicated service. The seminar concluded on January 28th, 2024, with lunch.
Sr. Jolly Sebastian
Lady Representative
National Council of India
On December 8, Bishop Odair Miguel Gonsalves dos Santos C.M., received his episcopal ordination, becoming the auxiliary bishop of Porto Alegre, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. During the ceremony that took place in the parish church of São Miguel, in his hometown Irati, in the state of Paraná, Odair was accompanied by family members and representatives of the Vincentian Family, including the National Council of Brazil (CNB) of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP).
You can read the complete news about his ordination on the Favmin website.
We learned of the death of Sister Evelyne FRANC, 75 years of age and 49 years of vocation, this Monday, January 8, 2024.
We give thanks to God for her beautiful life, for her unwavering attachment to Christ and her tireless dedication to the service of the Company, particularly during her twelve years of mandate as Superioress General (from 2003 to 2015).
We pray for her, her family, the poor she served and loved, and the Sisters she knew and accompanied.
May the Lord welcome her in His peace and joy!
It is with immense sadness that the Council General International advises you of the death of our dear fellow member and President of SSVP New Zealand, Terry Jordan, on December 26th. Terry had assumed the presidency in October 2021 and was married to Julie with whom he had 7 children. Terry passed away from a serious illness he had been suffering for some time.
Terry was a man of deep faith, he knew very well the value of the friendship that gave birth to the Conferences and the essence of our spirit of service. This was evident when he recalled in his inaugural speech that material help has no cause without spiritual help, as well as the importance of closeness to those assisted. May his example serve all Vincentians.
The Council General asks for prayers for the soul of our brother Terry and for the Lord to give strength to his wife Julie and children to cope with this great loss.
Happy and Blessed New Year 2024! and Solemnity of Mary Mother of God!
On January 1st of every Year, the Universal church celebrates the Feast of Mary, the Mother of God, on New Year’s Day, may we take this opportunity to wish each and every one a Happy and Peaceful New Year. We pray that the Lord Jesus and His Mother Mary may enrich our lives during the New Year with an abundance of God’s blessings.
Today’s Feast of Mary, the Mother of God is a very appropriate way to begin a new year. This celebration reminds us that the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, is also our Heavenly Mother. This is an occasion to renew our devotion to Mary, who is also Mother of the Church because she is our spiritual mother — and we are the Church. In 1970, Pope Paul VI instituted the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. In his encyclical on devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Marialis Cultus, he wrote, "This celebration, assigned to Jan. 1 in conformity with the ancient liturgy of the city of Rome, is meant to commemorate the part played by Mary in this mystery of salvation. It is meant also to exalt the singular dignity which this mystery brings to the holy Mother … through whom we were found worthy … to receive the Author of life.” The solemnity shows the relationship of Jesus to Mary. It’s a perfect example of how one should venerate Mary under all of her titles and is a good foundation for our understanding of Mary’s place in Christology. The Church puts the feast of this solemnity on the first day of the New Year to emphasize the importance of Mary’s role in the life of Christ and of the Church. As Mother of our Redeemer and of the redeemed, she reigns as Queen at the side of Christ the King. She is a powerful intercessor for all of our needs here on earth. In celebrating her special feast day, we acknowledge this great gift for the Church and world; we call on her to be actively involved in our daily life; we imitate her virtuous life as a great inspiration; and we cooperate with all the graces we get through her. The Church observes this day also as the World Day of Peace and invites us to pray specially for peace in the world.
Dear colleagues and friends:
Let us remember the true meaning of Christmas: the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior. May this celebration fill your home with love, peace and hope.
On behalf of the Council General International, I am wishing to you that the light of the Child Jesus illuminate your life and that of your loved ones on the path of Truth. May the divine grace accompany you and may you find peace in the greatest gift of all: the unconditional Love of God.
May this Christmas be for us Vincentians a reminder of the importance of sharing, forgiveness and love. Always ready to lend a hand to those brothers and sisters who are going through difficult times.
Let us continue to work together with faith and joy to build a more just and compassionate world.
We are wishing you and your family a New Year 2024 full of blessings!
Juan Manuel B. Gomez
XVII President General
«Do not turn your face away from anyone who is poor» (Tb 4,7). These words were explained in Pope Francis’ Message, which was published in preparation for the Seventh World Day of the Poor on June 13, 2023. Now they are further reflected upon in this Pastoral Resource Handout that is placed in the hands of God’s people, so that the World Day may be a permanent provocation for our communities to be attentive and welcoming to those in greatest need and difficulty.
On this journey toward the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025, may our attention to those most in need make us all Pilgrims of Hope in a world that needs to be illuminated by the presence of the Light of the Risen One and the torch of charity that He has lit in our hearts.
Msgr. Rino Fisichella Pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization
On All Souls Day, let us join our hands and bow our heads and pray for the eternal rest of the departed souls.
SSVP Publishes Booklet on the Revitalization of Conferences
The document contains an analysis and suggestions for actions to recruit new members for the SSVP
The document “Practical Guide for the Revitalization of SSVP Conferences” is now available on the CGI website. The document is the last document of the 16th. President General’s mandate, brother Renato Lima de Oliveira. This is an initiative that aims to help conferences and councils’ presidents meet the challenge of renewal within the SSVP.
The ageing of SSVP Conferences is a global reality, and it is a complex and wide-ranging issue. There are countries that since the 1980s have not submitted new requests for aggregation, hence it requires immediate and effective solutions to address this problem.
According to brother Renato Lima, the SSVP in each country must be attentive to this problem: “We cannot allow our Conferences to close their doors, because many people in need depend on us. Every SSVP Conference that closes its activities is a bit of the SSVP that dies”,he said.
The PRACTICAL GUIDE has ten chapters which analyze the reasons for the aging of the SSVP Conferences and propose some ideas and solutions to revitalize the recruitment environment in the SSVP. The list of recommendations is quite comprehensive and can be very useful, especially for countries that have greater difficulty in revitalizing their conferences.
The document was written by a group of experts on issues related to youth and the elderly, under the coordination of brother Júlio César Marques de Lima from Brazil. It is a document that can and should be updated in the future, adding new practices, suggestions and initiatives aimed at recruiting new members and revitalizing our Conferences, to ensure the continuity of our mission of service to the poorest.
Click here to download the Practical Guide to the Revitalization of SSVP Conferences.
National Council of India is very happy to announce that Bro. S. Jude Z. R. Mangalraj, The President of the National Council of India, SSVP has been appointed as INTERNATIONAL TERRITORIAL VICE PRESIDENT FOR SOUTH ASIA-I(ITVP) by Council General International.
The National Council of India along with all the members congratulates our dear brother.
Let us pray that God Almighty bless him with good health and courage to do his new assignment with the utmost sincerity and to shoulder the responsibility bestowed on him
Message from Bro. S. Jude Z R Mangalraj, President, National Council of India
" The Love of God is hidden in the poor ". Do not turn away from the suffering of others, for in doing so, you turn away from God. "-St. Vincent de Paul-
The month of September is very Holy and Significant for the Vincentian members. Let’s thank God for all the good things we have done this month for the poor and downtrodden. On the 8th September we celebrated the feast of the Nativity of the blessed Virgin Mary and on September 9th the feast day of the Founder of SSVP. BL. Frederic Ozanam.
Today (27th September) we celebrate the feast of St. Vincent De Paul, the heavenly patron of the Vincent de Paul Society as Vincentian day. He is known as the Apostle of charity and Father of the Poor. Let's think about why is St. Vincent de paul special for all of us? The Cathoilc church chosen him as a special patron of all charitable associations in 1883. He achieved his fame for his dedication to the poor because he dedicated his entire life in serving the poor. He never aspired or claimed to be a ' little God' or tried to control everything and everyone.
Let's also follow the path of the St. Vincent de Paul and strive to spread the love of Christ to the poor without desiring fame, status or reward. May our reward be from God. May we be the hands and feet of Christ, reaching out to those in need. Let our Love for the poor be a reflection of the boundless love God has shown us.
I pray and wish that all my dear Vincentian brothers and sisters will be able to serve well in the society and I wish a grace filled and glorious VINCENTIAN DAY to all of you.
Let's thank God for everyday and everything he has done for us.
May God bless us all.
S. Jude Z R Mangalraj
President
National Council of India
Inauguration of the new President General: a Vincentian, transparent and democratic transition
The ceremony took place on the liturgical date of Ozanam, at the feet of St. Vincent de Paul
The Council General International was established on July 21, 1839, 184 years ago. During this period, several Presidents General have been in charge of the destiny of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. And on September 9, it was the turn of the 17th President General, brother Juan Manuel Buergo Gómez, who took office in a remarkable ceremony, broadcast live on Ozanam TV.
The ceremony took place in the Chapel of St. Vincent de Paul in Paris, where the incorrupt body of the patron of charity lies. According to the Rule, the inauguration always takes place on September 9, the liturgical date of Blessed Antoine-Frederic Ozanam. Presidents and representatives of several Superior Councils, including those of Australia, Brazil, the United States, England and France, attended the event together with other guests, religious and Vincentians from Paris.
The Holy Mass was celebrated by Father Andrés Motto, CM, international spiritual advisor, and concelebrated by other priests: Monsignor Andréa Francia (Vice Nuncio in France), Father Gilles Morin (Provincial of the Religious of Saint Vincent de Paul in France), Father Jean Declaux (SSVP spiritual advisor in France) and Francisco Holgado (deacon). In his homily, Father Motto emphasized that “charity must be something permanent and intrinsic in the life of the Church, and particularly in Vincentian life, because charity and justice are at the heart of the Gospel”.
In his emotional farewell speech, brother Renato Lima thanked everyone for their support, especially his family, the staff, the Board and the Superior Councils. “I gave myself body and soul to this noble service. I have tried to do my best, despite my limitations and shortcomings,” he said. He took the opportunity to pay a beautiful tribute to France and listed some of the achievements of this term in office. At the end, looking at the new President, brother Renato said that he would be a “faithful supporter, discreet and loyal”, wishing God to bless and inspire the new SSVP world leader.
Brother Juan Manuel Buergo Gómez announced the motto of the new administration: “See how they love each other” (a phrase mentioned by Ozanam in a letter written in 1853 in Pisa, Italy). He presented the general lines of the new administration, focusing on friendship and the spirit of fraternity, prayer and unity that should reign within the Conferences. “The most important point of our program is the spiritual strengthening of our SSVP members,” he said. And concluded: “I would especially like to thank our wives and husbands, who patiently put up with our absences and sometimes also suffer changes in family plans.”
Afterwards, everyone posed for the official photo, and the President General announced some of the first names of the members who will make up the Board and the international structure. This was followed by a fraternal get-together with all those present. Many Vincentians, including the newly-appointed President General himself, went to Ozanam’s tomb in the Church of Saint-Joseph-des-Carmes, where they prayed and meditated on the virtues of our main founder.
Click here to read the booklet distributed during the solemnity, containing the readings of the Holy Mass, the homily, the speeches of the two Presidents General, the list with the names of new Board members and the new organization chart of the Council General. We ask for everyone’s prayers for the full success of this new mandate.
The 16 President General International, Renato Lima de Oliveira, on behalf of the Council General International, is pleased to announce the results of the International Literary Contest “Vincentian Historical Characters – Jules Gossin”
Jules Gossin contest result (2023):
1st Prize: Arockia Alexander (India). 1.000€.
2nd Prize (ex aequo): Claudia Marcia de Freitas (Brazil) y Philippe Menet (France) 750€.
3rd Prize: John Britto Stephen (India) 500 euros
*Special Honorable Mention:
Njoku Tochukwu Collins (Nigeria)
Obinna Ferdnard Ogbu (Nigeria)
Selvi Anita Mary (India)
The SSVP’s Council General International will also grant an equivalent amount to the Conference to which the author of the work belongs. The money granted to the Conference will be fully allocated to social work, activities or projects carried out by the Conference, represented by its President. We congratulate all the participants and all those who have helped to organise this Contest.
Today we celebrate the Feast of Blessed Frederic Ozanam, servant to the poor and the FOUNDER of Society of St. Vincent de paul- the lifelong champion of the Society, the courageous commitment who lived through "Crisis of Faith".
He says that "I number myself among those who need to feel they are surrounded with love and support, and God has never allowed me to lack in either of these. Let us go to the poor and we must do what is most agreeble to God."
In Frederic's life, love and friendship were inseparable. It is rare in the history of christianity and of the saints to find a sensibility like this. It was constantly tuned into the joys and sorrows of those he loved. Let's follow the love and friendship which the societies founder showed us for the smooth function of SSVP.
On this glorious day Let's ask ourselves Am I a good Vincentian? Am I able to maintain my Vincentian spirit and work for the betterment of the society? If not, how can?
Let us remember his thoughts and ask for his intercession to influence more and more faithful to contribute to the less fortunate, through the society. Let's seek blessings from the Almighty God to guide us along the best path way for our service and help us to be a better servant of him.
I wish all my Brothers and Sisters a very Happy feast of Blessed Frederic Ozanam.May God Bless us all through the intercession of Hail Mary and Bl. Frederic Ozanam.
S. Jude Mangalraj.
President.
SSVP- NCI.
The Church throughout the world, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP) and the Vincentian Family celebrate on 9th of September the feast of the blessed Frederick Ozanam, principal founder of the SSVP, whose feast day was established by the Vatican as the date of his death (8 September) was the feast of the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
On this day, the Council General International recommends that all members of the Conferences participate actively at Holy Mass, asking the priest to include three intentions in the celebration:
The Council General International also encourages and suggests that the Conferences and Councils promote the remarkable figure of Ozanam in events and in the media. Inspired by Ozanam, we must emphasize the indispensable expression of the Christian faith through works of charity and a search for justice, just as our Lord Jesus Christ taught us, to love and serve the most needy.
A bust of Ozanam was gifted to the Pontiff
Brother Juan Manuel Buergo Gómez was this week in Rome to present his credentials to Pope Francis in his capacity as President General-elect. The cordial meeting took place yesterday, September 6, in St. Peter’s Square, after the traditional Catechesis on “Wednesday’s Audience”.
On the occasion, the President-elect said to the Pontiff: “Your Holiness, my name is Juan Manuel, I am the 17th President General of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, elected last June 13. I humbly give you this image of Frederick Ozanam, in the hope of his forthcoming sanctification”.
In response, Pope Francis said: “Oh, I am very happy. Best wishes and blessings. I greet all the members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Persevere in the canonization of Ozanam”.
The new President General was accompanied by brothers Antonio Gianfico and Sebastián Gramajo, as well as Father Giuseppe Guerra, CM, postulator of Ozanam’s cause for canonization.
Next Saturday, in the Chapel of St. Vincent de Paul in Paris, brother Renato Lima will lead the inauguration ceremony of brother Juan Manuel.
Ecclesiastical authorities and Vincentians from various parts of the world have already confirmed their attendance. Ozanam TV will broadcast everything live on Facebook in four languages.
Let us pray for the success of the new administration that will take over the Council General International for the period 2023/2029.
Dear SSVP members around the world,
God be praised!
In June 2022, this Board began the work of organizing the presidential elections, with the drawing up of the electoral rules, communications and information that were sent to the National Councils, clarifying all the stages of the process.
The General Assembly was held in Rome and the 17th President General International was elected on June 13. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the three candidates who stood for election.
I am pleased to announce that the Electoral Board concluded its work on August 23 by publishing the abridged minutes of the Presidential election.
We believe that we have done our duty, and we wish the 17th President General every success in the mandate that begins on September 9th, for the unity of the Council General International and for the good of our Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.
Click here to read the minutes.
Vincentian greetings,
Brother Joseph Pandian Thomas
Vice-President General International
President of the Electoral Board
(2016/2023)
Every year, from September 1st to 9th, the Council General International invites all SSVP members and consecrated people around the world to say this novena prayer for Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the main founder of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
We express our gratitude to our dear French brother, Philippe Menet, for producing this novena prayer which will certainly draw many blessings, especially for the canonisation of Blessed Frédéric Ozanam.
Brother Renato Lima de Oliveira
16th President General
On this date of 22 August, 2023, the Church celebrated the 26th anniversary of the beatification ceremony of confrere Antoine- Frederic Ozanam, in Paris, during the 12th World Youth Day (WYD/1997), in a ceremony presided over by Pope John Paul II. Thousands of Vincentians attended the event, and thousands watched it on media vehicles.
In 1833, Ozanam, alongside six other French colleagues, founded the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Paris. His teachings, writings, speeches and books still exert an influence on mankind. The scope of Ozanam’s work is impressive, proof of which are the dozens of books on him written by experts, followers and devotees. We, as conference members of Saint Vincent de Paul, strive to be a mirror of Ozanam and, as friends, we keep on helping those who suffer and pursue our personal sanctification.
The case leading to his beatification was the miracle that took place in Brazil in 1926 (the cure of a child suffering from malignant diphtheria). Since then, his cause for sainthood is taking steps forward with other cases and testimonies being analyzed. Currently, the Council General International is striving to achieve his canonization, which, with God’s grace, will surely occur in the near future. Another possible miracle, also in Brazil, is being analysed by the Vatican, after many years with no news regarding the process of canonisation. In the last years, the Council General has worked hard so that the Holy Church may proclaim Ozanam a saint.
However, far beyond a new miracle for Ozanam’s canonization, it is vital to increase a devotion to him, especially amongst us, fellow members, and also among the families assisted and the beneficiaries of our special works. Ozanam should be brought into our daily lives, praying for his intercession in simpler things such as employment, health, family, education and financial issues.
“Ozanam is the glowing light illuminating our Society. Along with the other founding fathers, he worked towards peaceful and effective solutions to social issues, bringing Lord’s Gospel everywhere, especially to the hearts of the most humble and vulnerable. Ozanam is a real example for all of us in this century. Let us pray that Ozanam’s legacy will inspire the world today. His canonization will certainly be a milestone in the SSVP’s history,” stressed our President General, fellow member Renato de Lima.
Click here to read the homily of St. John Paul II on Ozanam’s life, work and legacy.
The Issue no 02/2023 of ‘Ozanam Network’ digital magazine, translated and edited by Council General International’s Communications Department, is now available.
One of the highlighted news is the election of Juan Manuel Buergo as the new President General of the SSVP.
This issue is also packed with other news and relevant information, including:
Click here to read the latest issue of ‘Ozanam Network’ digital magazine.
Happy SSVP International Women's day!
On August 14th, we mark the birth of Amélie Soulacroix Ozanam, the beloved wife of Antoine-Frédéric Ozanam . She was the central person for the vincentians to get more knowledge about the life of the Founder of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and the first steps of our Society.
The 16th General President, Bro. Renato Lima de Oliveira, taken the opportunity to declare August 14th as the INTERNATIONAL SSVP WOMEN’S DAY. In India we have nearly Twenty thousand active lady members who are so active to serve the poor and needy and play a major role in the Charity work of SSVP.
I Wish each and every Lady member a Happy and Blessed WOMEN's DAY.
The Vincentian Family Communications Commission presents the new electronic publication FamVin News.
Each issue will contain news from the Vincentian Family, articles on ministries around the world, an interview with a member of the Family, profiles of countries where we serve those in need, photographs, a meditation and much more.
In the beginning, a quarterly distribution is planned, with a view to a monthly issue as soon as possible.
To contact the commission or to send editorial material, send an email to: news@famvin.org
Famvin News is available in the following languages:
Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Madras Central Council, Empowers Communities Through Microfinance
Venue: Our Lady of Rosary Conference, Manavalanagar
In a heartening endeavour aimed at uplifting the underprivileged and fostering self-sustainability, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Madras Central Council, proudly inaugurated its Microfinance for Self-help Groups project on July 29, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., held at Our Lady of Rosary Conference in Manavalanagar.
The noble initiative was graced by several esteemed personalities, including Bro. Mangalraj, President of the National Council of India, and Bro. A. Lawrence, President of Madras Central Council. The presence of Bro. J. Babu, Vice-President of Madras Central Council, Bro. Bosco, Project Officer of the National Council of India, and Bro. John Britto Stephen, President of Tiruvallur Area Council, further added significance to the event.
Additionally, the event was blessed with the gracious presence of two revered spiritual leaders, Rev. Fr. Arun Durai, parish priest of Manavalanagar, and Rev. Fr. Balraj, parish priest of Thozhuthavoor, who offered their support and blessings for the project's success.
Bro. Arockia Alexander, Bro. Joy Sebastian, and Bro. Motcha Alangaram, the formation committee members and Bro. Kingsly, President of St. Francis de Sales Conference, Tiruvallur, also actively participated in the inauguration.
This auspicious occasion was successfully hosted by the members of Our Lady of Rosary Conference, under the able leadership of Bro. Leoraj. Their unwavering dedication and tireless efforts in organizing the event deserve heartfelt appreciation.
During the inauguration ceremony, eight deserving beneficiaries were presented with cheques, amounting to a total of Rs. 160,000/-. These beneficiaries were carefully selected based on their business proposals, which ranged from embroidery ventures and petty shops to tiffin shops and saree businesses.
The beneficiaries expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity provided by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. With this initial financial aid, they now have the means to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality. As part of the project's terms, the recipients will utilize the funds to establish their businesses and repay the amount in affordable monthly instalments.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Madras Central Council, firmly believes that this initiative will serve as a stepping stone for a brighter, more self-sustaining future for the beneficiaries and the community at large. With continued dedication and support, the Society looks forward to creating a significant and lasting impact in the lives of the less fortunate.
This report of the Council General International of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul aims to give an overview of the main activities that have taken place during these years (June 2016-June 2023).
It also includes a directory with information on each country of the International Confederation, in order to provide a global view of SSVP activity around the world.
This initiative is the product of the collective work of all the members of the Board, the staff and, especially, the Superior Councils, who have collaborated in the collection of data in a short space of time so that the publication could be a reality.
On July 21st, 2023, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP) enthusiastically celebrates the 184th Anniversary of the founding of the Council General International (CGI), the body in charge of overseeing the observance of the Rule in all countries and of preserving unity in our Institution.
On July 14th, 1839, our founders approved the SSVP’s restructuring with the subsequent establishment of the CGI, which decision was endorsed at a General Assembly on July 21st, 1839.
Throughout its 184 years, the CGI has faced numerous challenges, such as epidemics, wars, struggles and persecutions. On the other hand, the SSVP has grown and reached impressive figures: 51,000 Conferences, 800,000 members and 30 million needy people assisted. During this period, seventeen President Generals have been elected. Today, 120 members from all continents hold service positions at the Council, plus seven qualified staff members at the new headquarters in Paris.
“It is an immense privilege, yet a great responsibility for me, to hold the noble position of President General, especially because I am the first from a developing country like Brazil. I don’t deserve to perform such a service in view of my limitations, failures and imperfections; for this reason, I do believe that only the Good Lord can protect us from the snares of evil and enlighten us to make the right decisions that will yield good fruits for the whole Society. I am very happy, and I do hope to always serve more and better”, stated 16th President General, brother Renato Lima de Oliveira.
Let us pray for the International Board and for all the members who render or have rendered some type of service at the International Structure. We recognize, on this date, not only the seven SSVP founders, but also the first members and all those who have served at the Council General in these 184 years, especially those who are already in the Lord’s House.
We kindly request, on July 21st, 2023, to include the following intention during the Holy Mass in all parishes with a Vincentian Conference: “On the occasion of the 184 Anniversary of the SSVP’s Council General International, we pray that it will keep on bringing the message of peace, unity and charity to all its members and to the poor of the world”.
- Council General International
For the first time in its history the General Council International of the SSVP, through the International Vice-Presidency for Youth, Children and Adolescents, is launching an International Manual containing orientations and guidelines for the formation and composition of Youth Committees throughout the SSVP.
The International Manual has been prepared by the current International Youth Committee, led by Brother Willian Alves (International Vice-President for Youth, Children and Adolescents).
According to Willian Alves, this Manual elaborates on the information found in the Rule and in the International Statutes on the importance of appointing a young person as Youth Coordinator and that such Committee be composed equally by young Vincentians. The Manual, according to Alves, is an important document to support National Councils following the decisión made in Rome, during the General Assembly (June 2023), that every National Council shall have a National Youth Coordinator and organize a National Youth Committee.
The official launching of the document took place on June 13, 2023 in Rome (Italy) during the SSVP General Assembly, where the document was presented to the National Presidents and members of the entire international structure by the 16th President General, Brother Renato Lima de Oliveira.
On June 17, specific training was given by Brother William Alves to the National Presidents on each article of the Manual. He emphasized the importance of the wide dissemination, study and training tool of this document by the SSVP Councils, especially among the youth.
During the launching of the Manual, Brother Renato Lima de Oliveira congratulated all the territorial delegates for their contributions and for the work done under leadership of Brother William Alves, and emphasized that the national presidents should be the first to study the document and disseminate it widely within their National Councils.
The Council General has already received some works of great literary and investigative quality, but in order to ensure a greater participation, it has been decided to extend the deadline for sending the essays to August 15th, 2023.
Entries may not exceed 20 pages. Cash prizes will be awarded to the first three places (1,000, 750 and 500 euros, respectively). The Vincentian Conferences of the winning authors will also receive the same amount of money, which must be used for the benefit of assisted families or Vincentian works.
The essays can be submitted in five languages: Portuguese, Spanish, English, Italian and French. The deadline for submitting dissertations/essays is August 15th, 2023. The Organizing Committee will announce the final results on September 9, 2023 and the prizes will be awarded to the winners immediately after this announcement.
The Council General hopes that many Conferences and Councils members, especially the young, will participate in the Jules Gossin competition.
Participate! We ask Superior Councils to assist the Council General in spreading the word about this contest to the Conferences and Councils in each country, as well as in schools, Vincentian colleges and Catholic universities.
Click here to read the guidelines and appendix of the international competition.
More information: cgi.formation@ssvpglobal.org
Since 2017 the SSVP Vincentian Youth has a very special date in its calendar, the 4th of July, on which the International Day of the SSVP Vincentian Youth is celebrated.
This date has a very important symbolism, as it is the liturgical feast of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, also considered since 2017 by the SSVP International Youth Committee as the patron saint of SSVP Vincentian Youth.
As every year, a theme has been chosen on which the young people will reflect and put into practice during the coming months. This year 2023 the proposed theme is “Vincentian Youth smiling at Life”.
Brother Willian Alves explains some of the points that guided the choice of this year’s theme.
It is based on the biblical passage “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”. (Jn 10.10).
Welcoming, defending and promoting life have become actions inherent to the Christian faith. Understanding the inviolability of life from its beginning to its natural end, promoting dignity and denouncing any injustice that becomes a threat to life, is the commitment of every Catholic Christian and should also be promoted by the Vincentian Youth.
We constantly see life threatened, and our role as Vincentian Youth is to defend and promote it, for this is also a form of charity and love of neighbour.
In many countries the lives of young people are also constantly put to the test by violence, lack of employment opportunities, lack of good food, lack of public policies that are able to remove young people from violent environments are also ways in which we see that life is not being protected.
Unfortunately, we also see many young people who are looking for the easy way to take their own lives, who are giving up on living, on dreaming, on being young. This should also concern us in our Vincentian environment. Finding effective ways to support these young people who, for social and psychological reasons, need support, presence, affection, someone to be with them on their way, encouraging them to live.
Smiling at life is a concrete gesture of saying yes to life and no to abortion, yes to the life of young people, especially the most socially vulnerable. No to the violence that kills and takes opportunities away from young people. Yes to the defence of life in its natural decline. Yes to actions and public policies that dignify the lives of all people.
Smiling to life must be translated into a concrete action of the SSVP that can collaborate to the dignification of the life of those who are helped by the Conferences.
Smiling to life should be an act of celebration and celebration for the presence of young people in the SSVP, as well as the implementation of actions that enable their incorporation into our Vincentian ranks.
We wish you all a Happy International SSVP Vincentian Youth Day and may our patron saint of youth, Pier Giorgio Frassati, intercede with God for our dreams and projects and help us always to defend life and to smile for it.
Councils are encouraged to promote a Special Youth Collection in the Vincentian Conferences this July. All the money collected should be used for actions with the SSVP youth (training, reception, development of concrete activities, etc.). It is recommended that countries with larger budgets can support other countries or give the amount to the International General Council so that it can support countries that need more help.
In the coming weeks there will be changes and restructuring
With the election of the 17 th President General International, brother Juan Manuel Buergo Gómez, the period of administrative transition begins. The transition will take place until September 9 th , the date of the inauguration of the new Board, which will take place in the Chapel of Saint Vincent de Paul in Paris.
During this period, to facilitate the transition and at the request of President-élect Buergo Gómez, some officers may be appointed before September 9 by brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, the 16 th President General.
In addition, brother Renato Lima is suspending the “Terms of Reference” of all the current functions because the new administration will take decisions on a new organizational chart, new functions, new services and new collaborators.
At the General Assembly held in Rome a few days ago, President Lima de Oliveira handed the President-elect a 100 pages document entitled “TRANSITION DOCUMENT” containing suggestions and recommendations for improving the Council General’s governance.
To all those who collaborated in this mandate (2016/2023), brother Renato Lima thanks them from the bottom of his heart, for the commitment, charity and loyalty with which they served the poor, the Vincentians, the National Councils and the Council General, dedicating hours and hours to our beloved SSVP.
To those who will receive an invitation from the new President General, we pray to God that they all accept the challenge! It is an honor, a privilege and an immense joy to serve the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul through some international service within the Council General.
The schedule for the inauguration of the 17 th President General will be announced in due course with a Mass and ceremony on September 9 th , in Paris.
On September 8th, there will be a visit to the tomb of the 2 nd President General, brother Jules Gossin. As well, two activities at the international headquarters will comprise the inclusion of a photograph of President Lima de Oliveira in the “Presidential Gallery” and the inauguration of the “Presidential Showcase” containing souvenirs received during trips made by former President Generals.
Two roundtables on the development of solidarity and the enhancement of youth’s presence in the Conferences.
The second part of the workshop for national presidents was held on June 17.
During the morning, a roundtable discussion was led by the Vice President for Youth, Willian Alves, in which the SSVP Youth Committees Manual and need to revitalize the Conferences and increase the presence of young people among our members were presented.
For this training workshop, Willian Alves had the testimony of some youth delegates and young members of SSVP around the world, as well as the president of SSVP Brazil, Marcio José da Silva and the national youth representative of Brazil, Geyson Tôrres de Lima.
The origin of the SSVP is an example of the importance of youth to face challenges and be attentive to the changes occurring in the world. New needs and new ways of relating to one another require an aptitude for change, adaptation and renewal, characteristics that are found naturally in young people who must be given space in order to find their place within the organization.
Before the end of the morning session, Renato Lima de Oliveira, as outgoing President General, handed over to the new President General, Juan Manuel Buergo, a document called “Transition Document”, which includes the ideas and proposals of most of the members of the General Council structure for this new mandate.
In the afternoon, the second and last panel discussion of the day was held. Directed by brother Ralph Middlecamp, the discussion focused on the strengthening of solidarity in the face of the new forms of poverty.
Bro. Ralph Middlecamp is the SSVP International Vice President in charge of Solidarity and Special Projects, which includes the International Commission for Aid and Development (CIAD), international twinning (collaboration between Conferences of different countries to carry out social projects) and the SSVP International Solidarity Fund to respond to situations of need. The world is in constant change. In addition to the most common and well-known types of poverty, there are those that emerge from new social events and behaviors. A recent example is the pandemic and the new normal. Another example of emerging poverty is mental health, loneliness or those arising from climate change.
In addition to Ralph Middlecamp himself (who led the workshop and gave an overview of SSVP’s solidarity work), the following speakers took part in this panel: Fr Andrés Motto (new poverties), Joseph Makwinja (climate change) and Mark McGreevy (Director of DePaul) and Natalie Monteza (coordinator of Famvin’s 13 Houses campaign) who spoke about the reality of homelessness.
The day enden with a fraternal dinner attended by all participants of this great Vincentian event, which had a very broad representation of the 155 countries in which the SSVP is present.
On June 16, the first edition of the Ozanam Journalism Award was presented to Paolo Ruffini. The director of L’Osservatore Romano, Andrea Monda, took part in the Assembly, and the first part of the Training Workshop for National Presidents was held.
Taking Frederic Ozanam as an example and to honour his memory as a writer and journalist for various newspapers and magazines of the time, and being aware of the importance of the media for evangelization, the International General Council created this award to recognize media professionals who are concerned with the publication of news related to charity, evangelical values, Vincentian virtues, ethics and social justice.
This year, in its first edition, the “Ozanam Prize for Journalism” was awarded to the Italian journalist PAOLO RUFFINI, elected by Pope Francis as Prefect of the “Dicastery for Communication” of the Holy See (the first layman in this position). This dicastery is responsible for the “Vatican News” Department, which encompasses radio, internet, television and the traditional newspaper L’Osservatore Romano. Ruffini has extensive professional experience in various media, especially press, radio and television.
In his speech, Paolo Ruffini stressed (among many other topics) the need for communication that highlights Christian values, that seeks the truth, that builds brotherhood and that keeps social isolation and falseness away from us. (His message will be published in full soon).
The award consists of a tree with a marble base and flowers made of citrine crystals, a kind of quartz taken from Brazilian caves, located in the central State of Goias. The tree represents Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the flowers signify the Good News of the Gospel. That is why the tree was chosen to illustrate this prize, in the same way that good journalists should spread the good news. Citrine quartz is a precious stone related to literature, thought, and intellectual production.
Assembly participants also enjoyed a visit from Andrea Monda, director of L’Osservatore Romano, who received an institutional plaque from 16th President General Renato Lima de Oliveira. In his speech, Andrea Monda gave words of support for the work of SSVP in the world, saying that L’Osservatore Romano makes sense if it can give a voice to institutions working for the most vulnerable.
Continuing with the morning session, the 1st Workshop for National Presidents was held. Several formations were offered through 2 discussion tables. The first, on the importance of cultivating spirituality and Vincentian formation to support the Conferences in order to serve in the best way possible the most needy people (the speakers were Fr. Andrés Motto and María Luisa Téllez).
The second discussion table focused on governance to facilitate transparency in all areas of the SSVP and to protect both the members of the Conferences and the people who need help and who are in a vulnerable situation. (The speakers were Claire Victory and Elaine Heyworth).
The second discussion table focused on governance to facilitate transparency in all areas of the SSVP and to protect both the members of the Conferences and the people who need help and who are in a vulnerable situation. (The speakers were Claire Victory and Elaine Heyworth).
On June 16, the first edition of the Ozanam Journalism Award was presented to Paolo Ruffini. The director of L’Osservatore Romano, Andrea Monda, took part in the Assembly, and the first part of the Training Workshop for National Presidents was held.
Taking Frederic Ozanam as an example and to honour his memory as a writer and journalist for various newspapers and magazines of the time, and being aware of the importance of the media for evangelization, the International General Council created this award to recognize media professionals who are concerned with the publication of news related to charity, evangelical values, Vincentian virtues, ethics and social justice.
This year, in its first edition, the “Ozanam Prize for Journalism” was awarded to the Italian journalist PAOLO RUFFINI, elected by Pope Francis as Prefect of the “Dicastery for Communication” of the Holy See (the first layman in this position). This dicastery is responsible for the “Vatican News” Department, which encompasses radio, internet, television and the traditional newspaper L’Osservatore Romano. Ruffini has extensive professional experience in various media, especially press, radio and television.
In his speech, Paolo Ruffini stressed (among many other topics) the need for communication that highlights Christian values, that seeks the truth, that builds brotherhood and that keeps social isolation and falseness away from us. (His message will be published in full soon).
The award consists of a tree with a marble base and flowers made of citrine crystals, a kind of quartz taken from Brazilian caves, located in the central State of Goias. The tree represents Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the flowers signify the Good News of the Gospel. That is why the tree was chosen to illustrate this prize, in the same way that good journalists should spread the good news. Citrine quartz is a precious stone related to literature, thought, and intellectual production.
Assembly participants also enjoyed a visit from Andrea Monda, director of L’Osservatore Romano, who received an institutional plaque from 16th President General Renato Lima de Oliveira. In his speech, Andrea Monda gave words of support for the work of SSVP in the world, saying that L’Osservatore Romano makes sense if it can give a voice to institutions working for the most vulnerable.
Continuing with the morning session, the 1st Workshop for National Presidents was held. Several formations were offered through 2 discussion tables. The first, on the importance of cultivating spirituality and Vincentian formation to support the Conferences in order to serve in the best way possible the most needy people (the speakers were Fr. Andrés Motto and María Luisa Téllez).
The second discussion table focused on governance to facilitate transparency in all areas of the SSVP and to protect both the members of the Conferences and the people who need help and who are in a vulnerable situation. (The speakers were Claire Victory and Elaine Heyworth).
The discussions and training were truly dynamic and productive as the National Presidents representing many countries at this international Assembly in Rome were able to exchange views with the speakers and share ideas and best practices.
Dedicated to presentations by the Board and the Vice Presidents General Deputy and their teams.
The Mass was celebrated by Fr Giuseppe Guerra, who was also invited to participate in the assembly to speak about the situation of the process of canonisation of Ozanam, which is progressing positively. This was followed by a spiritual talk by Fr Motto which focused on fraternity and good communication within the Society of St Vincent de Paul.
In the afternoon, it was the turn of the Vice Presidents General Deputy.
Brother Joseph Makwinja, 1st VPG Deputy, and his team (consisting of Vice President for Formation, sis. Marisa Tellez, and International Vice President for Youth, bro. Willian Alves).
In the area of formation, the recent meeting held at the end of 2022 with the territorial delegates of formation was highlighted. In the area of youth, mention was made of the meeting of international delegates that took place at the end of 2022 in Paris and the next World Youth Day at the beginning of August 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal.
The 2nd VPG Deputy, Brother Sebastián Gramajo, also provided the most important information about his work together with his team, composed of the International Vice President for Structure, Brother Maurice Yeung, and the International Vice President for Institutional Relations, Brother Antonio Gianfico.
In the area of institutional relations, we highlighted our participation to events of the Vincentian Family and the relationship with the Holy See, the good evolution of the process of canonization of F. Ozanam, and the good work with other institutions close to the SSVP with which we try to sign collaboration agreements. Regarding the international structure, it is important to highlight the follow-up and coordination meetings of the International Territorial Vice Presidents and the necessary coordination to unify our actions and strengthen or develop the presence of the SSVP in the world.
The third Vicepresidency General Deputy, headed by Brother Juan Manuel Buergo, is made up of the International Vice Presidency for Solidarity and Special Projects, coordinated by Brother Ralph Middlecamp, and the International Vice Presidency for Governance and Strategic Affairs, headed by Brother Alfons Ten Velde.
In the area of solidarity, the International Commission for Aid and Development (CIAD) and the International Solidarity Fund (FIS) are doing a great deal of work. On the other hand, great strides are being made regarding the protocol for good governance within the SSVP and internal conflicts that sometimes occur within the SSVP are being resolved through the Ombudsman.
Training workshops for SSVP national presidents start tomorrow.
Mass at the Vatican, presentation on “Fraternity, Communion and Mission: Following in the Footsteps of the Seven Founders”, presentation of amendments to the International Rule and awarding of the Charity in Hope medal to the Order of Malta.
On 14 June, the second day of the International Assembly in Rome began with the participants attending a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
The official program of the General Assembly continued with a presentation by Fr. Bertin Sanon, Superior General of the Religious of St. Vincent, titled “Fraternity, Communion and Mission: Following in the Footsteps of the Seven Founders”. He spoke of the importance of community life, of the fraternal circles that are created within the Conferences and of the need to preserve, all together, the legacy that gave rise to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in its attention, as lay people committed to the Vincentian charism, to the service of the most needy through our faith.
Brother Ralph Middlecamp, Chairman of the Commission for the amendment of the statutes, hosted a debate and vote on the amendments presented for the modification of some articles of the International Statutes.
In addition, a collaboration agreement was signed with the Order of Malta, which was also awarded with the Charity in Hope Medal for its charitable work and service to the most vulnerable. This award was presented to Ivo Graziani, Chief of Cabinet of the Order of Malta, by brother Renato Lima de Oliveira.
He succeeds Renato Lima de Oliveira and will take office next September in Paris.
During the first day of the SSVP General Assembly, Juan Manuel Buergo Gómez was elected as the 17th President General, succeeding Renato Lima de Oliveira. His inauguration will take place, God willing, next September in Paris, on the feast of Blessed Antoine Frédéric Ozanam.
The election took place on the afternoon of June 13, after the opening speech of Renato Lima de Oliveira, the Vice President General, Joseph Pandian, explained to the attendees the process of the voting.
Once elected, Juan Manuel Buergo Gómez had the opportunity to address for the first time all those attending the Assembly and all members around the world through a live broadcast by Ozanam TV.
In addition to this highlight of the International General Assembly, many interesting activities took place on the morning of June 13:
Welcoming remarks by the National President of Italy, Paola da Ros
The Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission Fr. Tomaz Mavric C.M. was present during the opening ceremony.
Three works aimed at improving communication and development of the SSVP International were launched:
The SSVP Concordat meeting was also held with the renewal ceremony of its members and, finally, a collaboration agreement was signed with the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO), represented on this occasion by María Lia Zervino. WUCWO was founded in 1910 and currently has nearly 100 women’s organizations around the world, is active in more than 50 countries and has a total of 8 million women members.
On the day prior to the International Assembly, the 12 Vice Presidents met with the participation of members of the Board of the Council General International.
As a preamble to the meetings of the International Assembly of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (June 13-17), the international Territorial Vice Presidents met on Monday June 12.
The 12 Vice Presidents, representing the 12 areas in which the SSVP organizes its international structure and its presence in the world, gave their activity reports and an overview of the situation of the territories under their responsibility. Some members of the Board of the General Council International, recognizing its importance, also participated at the meeting.
The meeting began at 9:30 a.m. with reports from the Vice Presidents for the Americas, Africa and Asia. In the afternoon, it was the turn of the Vice Presidents for Europe, Asia, Oceania and the Middle East.
The work of the International Territorial Vice Presidents is vital for the cohesion of the SSVP structure in the world. They are the representatives of the General Council International in the territories they are in charge of and serve as liaison between the Superior Councils of the different countries that are part of the International Confederation of the SSVP.
At the end of the meeting, the President General thanked each and every one of the Territorial Vice-Presidents for their commitment and hard work at the head of the Vincentian territories.
The five launches demonstrate the magnitude of the international work of SSVP.
The leaders of the Council General, with the support of the staff in Paris, are finalizing preparations for the General Assembly 2023, which will be held in Rome June 13-17, 2023. The agenda comprises the launching of five new publications.
The first launch are the “Guidelines for SSVP Youth Committees”, which will orient and provide procedures for each Council to establish a Youth Committee. This document was prepared by the International Vice-Presidency for Youth, Children and Adolescents, headed by brother William Alves.
Another publication is the “Global Report”, which contains information and statistics about the SSVP in each territory, as well as the activities, projects and programs developed by the Council General in recent years. This report was produced by the Council General’s communication team, led by brother Carlos Lafarga.
The third publication to be launched is the booklet “How to revitalize our Conferences”, a document containing a complete diagnosis of the aging situation in the world and in the SSVP and, suggestions for the rejuvenation of SSVP entities. This initiative was led by brother Julio César Marques de Lima (VPTI America 3) with the help of a team of experts.
The fourth release is the book “Circular Letters written between 2017 and 2023” (photo), bringing together in one book the eight letters written during his mandate by brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, our 16th President General. This was a recurring request that the President General has received during his visits to the countries.
Finally, the e-book “Holiness in the Vincentian Conferences”, authored by writer Gesiel Junior, will be launched at the 3rd Lusophone Summit (Portuguese Speaking countries) to be held on June 18. The book brings together the biographical profiles of servants of God, venerable, blessed and saints who have passed through the ranks of the SSVP, totaling more than 90 examples of brothers and sisters who sanctified themselves in the service to the poor.
The workshop will present strategies to improve the action of the Superior Councils.
Taking advantage of the presence of the national presidents who will be in Rome to attend the General Assembly, the Council General International will hold a workshop exclusively for them.
The event will take place on June 16 and 17, after the General Assembly. The theme of the workshop will be “Strategies to improve our service to our friends in need”.
On June 16, the subjects presented will be “Spirituality and Formation” (Father Andrés Motto and sister Marisa Téllez) and “Governance, Transparency and Safeguarding” (sisters Claire Victory and Elaine Heyworth).
On June 17, the discussions will revolve around two themes: “Youth, Recruitment and Revitalization” (brother Willian Alves) and “Strengthening solidarity to face new poverties” (brother Ralph Middlecamp).
At the end of each day, the national presidents will be able to review the issues presented, discuss strategies, and propose improvements and suggestions. “The exchange of experiences will be the enrichment of this training course. That is why we are sure of the success of this initiative”, said the President General, brother Renato Lima de Oliveira.
All events will be broadcast live on Ozanam TV
Everything will be broadcast live from Ozanam TV
Between June 12th and 18th , all the eyes of the worldwide Vincentian community will be on Rome where the Council General International of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP) will hold its General Assembly, which takes place every six years.
The venue chosen in the Eternal City is the Hotel Casa Tra Noi, which can accommodate the event with its auditoriums and chapel. The Assembly will be broadcasted live on Facebook by Ozanam TV.
On June 12th, the Annual Meeting of Territorial Vice-presidents (ITVPs) will be held with the participation of all 12 Vice-presidents. On the 13th, the election of the 17th President General International will take place (three candidates are running). On the 14th, besides the Papal audience, the participants will review changes to the International Statutes with the aim to modernize the SSVP. On the 15th, the Council General’s leaders will present their work reports, with voting on several resolutions.
On the 16th and 17th, the 1st Workshop for National Presidents will be held. The Presidents will engage discussions on several subjects such as governance, youth, solidarity and Vincentian spirituality. On the last day, June 18th, there will be a specific meeting for Portuguese-speaking countries (called “Lusophone Summit”).
Other highlights
The Medal “Charity in Hope” will be awarded to the Order of Malta International. An institutional cooperation agreement will be signed with the Order of Malta as well as a “Letter of Intent” with the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO). The prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, Dr. Paolo Ruffini PhD, will be honored with the “Ozanam Prize of Journalism”. It will be the first time this award will be bestowed by the CGI.
Important documents will be tabled during the Assembly, such as the “Global Report” (containing information about the presence of SSVP around the world), the booklet “Revitalization of Vincentian Conferences” (presenting suggestions to rejuvenate Vincentian groups) and the “Manual of Youth Committees” (to guide countries to better organize the youth).
Moment of Rejoicing
The General Assembly is a remarkable moment in the life of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, because it brings together the Vincentian leaders of the 154 territories where the organization is present to discuss relevant issues, vote on resolutions and, of course, elect the new President General. It is a jubilant moment for our Society.
“During our term, I have tried to do my best, dedicating my time entirely to the Council General International. With the support of a fantastic Board of Directors, the National Councils and the staff in Paris, we were able to advance on several objectives of our strategic planning. They were seven years of hard work and challenges, but also of many achievements and accomplishments”, commented brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, 16th President General.
To follow the transmissions live:
At this year’s General Assembly in Rome, the Council General International is launching the “Ozanam Journalism Award” to honor media professionals who have distinguished themselves in the propagation of news related to charity, evangelical values, Vincentian virtues, ethics and social justice.
The Award is inspired by the professional life story of Blessed Antoine-Frederic Ozanam, who used the communications media of his own time to defend the Catholic faith and present the foundations of a more democratic, more just and less unequal society.
Ozanam had been writing articles for newspapers and bulletins since his adolescence in Lyon, gaining a reputation for this when he arrived in Paris. Other founders of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul also collaborated with the Catholic press, among them Emmanuel-Joseph Bailly de Surcy (1st President General), who owned the “Tribune Catholique” newspaper, at whose offices the Society was established.
In 1848, Ozanam, together with Lacordaire and Maret, founded the newspaper “La Nouvelle Ère” (the New Era), a periodical that occupied an important place in the history of the French Catholic press during the 19th century, promoting the dialogue between civil society and the Church, the defense of democracy and the need for labor reform that would promote worker rights.
Through his booklets, articles, and books, Ozanam helped to build the foundations of the Social Doctrine of the Church, being considered a precursor of this teaching and a great example of journalist and writer.
Nowadays, the media suffers from several evils, among them the politicization disguised by economic interests that confuse people, leading them to behaviors and attitudes opposed to Gospel values, showing indifference to the needy, the excluded ones in society.
The “Ozanam Journalism Award” has this specific mission: to recognize the good journalists, the good press, the good news, the good social communication. That is why the Award is based on Ozanam, a holy man who dignified the media of his time.
This year, for the first time, the “Ozanam Journalism Award” will be given to the Italian journalist PAOLO RUFFINI, chosen by Pope Francis as prefect of the “Dicastery for Communication” of the Holy See (the first layman in this position). This Dicastery is responsible for the “Vatican News” Department, which encompasses radio, internet, television and the traditional newspaper L’Osservatore Romano. Ruffini has extensive professional experience in various media, especially print, radio, and television.
The rules for the Award are available on the Council General’s website. National Councils have until March 30th of each year to suggest candidates to CGI. The Award consists of a sculpture.
Click here to see the award terms and conditions
Guided by its Rule, the Council General has sought to approach organizations and institutions that can, together with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, undertake programs, projects and initiatives to improve the lives of those most in need, and also to expand Vincentian professionalism and training.
The following agreements have been signed in recent years: Religious of St. Vincent de Paul (2019), Center for International Formation of the Vincentian Family (2020), Vincentian Lay Missionaries (2021), Depaul International (2022), and Fraternity without Borders (2022).
This year, at the General Assembly, an institutional cooperation agreement will be signed between the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Sovereign Order of Malta. The agreement with the Order of Malta is strategic and essential for the charitable mission areas of our Society. As we know, the mission of the Sovereign Order of Malta is very similar to ours; therefore, we have common principles based on our Christian heritage, the values of the Gospel and the Social Doctrine of the Church.
The content of the agreement provides for the exchange of projects on institutional issues of common interest, utilizing the experience of each organization in the mission of charity. In addition, the agreement encompasses collaborative work, training and capacity building, fundraising, common programs and volunteer actions, on behalf of children, adolescents, women, the elderly, the homeless and refugees.
The Order of Malta was born in the 11th century and is currently present in 120 countries, caring for the needy through medical, social, and humanitarian services, focusing on the excluded and the most forgotten in civil society. One of its strategies is to act in regions of armed conflict and natural disasters, helping war refugees with medicines and other benefits. It has numerous hospitals, medical centers, and specialized foundations.
Up to March 30th each year, National Councils can propose the names of institutions that could be the subject of future agreements with our Society. The agreement with the Order of Malta, like the previous ones, is available on the Council General’s website.
For these international agreements of institutional cooperation to be effective, they need to be signed at national level. We recommend that the National Councils contact the Order of Malta in each Vincentian territory for this purpose, respecting the autonomy of each entity.
In April 2023, Vincentian leaders from across Oceania met for three days at Mary Mackillop Place in North Sydney Australia to share their experiences, learn from each other and identify pathways and collaborations to strengthen their Societies and support their much-needed good works.
The conference theme of Serve: Respect: Share guided the program, sessions and the interactions of participants.
The meeting was convened by the Society’s Council General International ’Oceania Team’ comprising the International Territorial Vice President-Oceania and the Zone Coordinators, Projects, Twinning, Formation and Training, Safeguarding and Youth representatives. In welcoming participants, Br Frank Brassil shared the expectations for the meeting for:
“Renewed progress towards better governance in Oceania; renewed vigour in youth participation and integration; all countries understanding and committing to safeguarding policy implementation; better international partnerships and a plan for growth of formation and mutual support in sharing resources.”
Topics covered included the status and strengthening: governance; institution of Councils and aggregation of Conferences; safeguarding; formation and training; youth integration; twinning and projects; emergency relief; and Assist A student. Next steps for each of these areas were discussed, agreed and documented. These will be captured in the Oceania Meeting Report that will be shared with attendees and stakeholders.
An important part of the program was the exploration of the nature of partnerships that support development of the Society in the Oceania region and the carrying out of good works and how they could be strengthened in the coming years. These were captured in both words and creative and cultural expressions involving artwork, songs and dance. The collaborative spirit and the findings from this session and the meeting will be incorporated into the forthcoming Oceania Overseas Partnerships Program Strategic Plan and available on the www.vinnies.org.au website.
The Council General International was represented by Br Joseph Pandian, General Vice President, who gave a talk about CGI. Br Joseph was able to observe the strength of the Society in Oceania and to see the potential for better governance of the Society at the Zone level.
In thanking the organisers on behalf of the participants from Australia, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, New Zealand, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga and Vanuatu the National President of the Society in Solomon Islands, Sr Julian Ketei said:
’Thank you so much for bringing us together. We really appreciate it and thank you from our heart. I hope and believe all the National Presidents from Oceania will bring something back to their countries from the meeting. All the members in our country will learn more from us after having been here.’
Meeting costs and arrangements were kindly supported by the National Council of Australia and its Secretariate. National President, Mark Gaetani emphasised to attendees that supporting the event was an important part of furthering the Society in Australia’s relationships with our Oceania partners:
’To our Pacific Island partners, we want you to feel us standing in solidarity with you, your National Council and your Societies and its members as you work to fulfill our shared Vincentian Mission.
To our New Zealand and Asian partners we want to work together to ensure alignment of support for the region.
For the Oceania Team, we thank you for your service and guidance as we come together as a region and continue our journey towards being strong and sustainable Societies carrying out the good works needed in our communities.’
For more information contact: overseasdevelopment@svpd.org.au
Visit by The President General who also participated in a Vincentian pilgrimage to Fatima
The legacy of the seven founders is very present in the Azores and Madeira, which are two Portuguese archipelagos located in the Atlantic Ocean. The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul was founded in Madeira in 1875 and in the Azores in 1908. However, in all these years of existence, a President General had never made a missionary visit to these places.
With God’s grace, brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, 16th President General, had the privilege of visiting the two islands in April 2023. It was a quick trip, but very meaningful, because it involved several activities that he will miss very much. The President General was accompanied by the President of the Superior Council, sister Alda Couceiro. At the end of his trip, the President participated in a pilgrimage to the Fatima Sanctuary.
Terceira
On April 17 and 18, the visit took place on the Island of Terceira, one of nine islands belonging to the Autonomous Region of the Azores, 1,500 km from Lisbon. Renato and Alda were warmly welcomed at the airport by brother Carlos Matos, President of the Central Council of Terceira, composed of 12 Conferences and 120 members.
On the first day, Renato and Alda attended the weekly meeting of the Santa Catarina Conference, located in “Cabo da Praia”, which was preceded by a delicious typical Azorean lunch. The next morning, at the Episcopal Seminary in “Angra do Heroísmo”, where the Central Council is located, the agenda included a very fruitful working meeting with the Council’s board and Conferences Presidents.
In the afternoon, a formation session was held, open to all Vincentians of the Azores, where brother Renato spoke about the accomplishments of the current mandate and answered questions about Ozanam’s canonization process. The last activity was a Holy Mass, celebrated in the chapel of the Episcopal Seminary by Father Jacinto Bento, spiritual advisor of the Central Council, when brother Carlos was sworn in as re-elected president.
Funchal
On April 19 and 20 the trip proceeded to Madeira, which consists of an archipelago of two islands, 1,000 km from Lisbon. Brother Diamantino Santos received the President General and the National President at the Funchal airport. Afterwards a very productive work meeting was held with the Board of the Central Council at the headquarters of that Council, which comprises 35 Conferences and 500 brothers and sisters.
The following day, a formation was held for all Madeiran Vincentians, in “Santo Amaro” Parish, followed by a Holy Mass celebrated by Father Ignácio Rodrigues. After the mass, the minutes were read and signed, very well written, relating this historic moment. A a tasty dinner was served in the parish hall afterwards; the menu was “arroz de pato” (duck rice), a local delicacy. Soon after, Renato, Alda, and Diamantino gave an interview to Radio Funchal, highlighting the Vincentian work done on the island, in Portugal, and aound the world.
In both Azores and Madeira, President Lima de Oliveira gifted the Central Councils with a picture of the seven founders, a SSVP flag, books and music CDs, as well as an authentic relic of Blessed Antoine-Frederic Ozanam. In both places, the importance of the existence of Zone Councils (at the local level) was reinforced as well as the renewal of mandates, the good relationship with the Church and the foundation of new Conferences.
“The presence of the President General in Portuguese lands is always a blessing, even more when we speak the same language,” said sister Alda. “I want to thank, from the bottom of my heart, the welcome we had in the Azores and Madeira. You are very special Vincentians. Continue steadfast in the mission of charity, promoting the poor. Take care also of the good administration of our Conferences and Councils, because this zeal will result in a better assistance to the most needy”, considered brother Renato Lima.
Fatima
At the end of his mission trip, on April 22, the President General participated, for the first time in his life, in a Vincentian national pilgrimage to Fatima, one of the best-known Marian sanctuaries in the world. Renato hitchhiked in one of the five buses organized by the Central Council of Lisbon. Upon arrival in Fatima, the President General participated in the “flags ceremony”, which culminated with the renewal of the “Vincentian Promise” in the little chapel of the apparitions.
In the afternoon, about 2,000 Vincentians from all regions of Portugal filled the Paulo VI Apostolic Center where a very beautiful and participative assembly took place. There was a beautiful theatrical presentation by young Vincentians of the Porto Central Council on the life story of blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, culminating with the formation of a colorful mosaic with the logo of the SSVP. On this occasion, brother Renato Lima presented the theme “Mary arose and went with haste”, which is also the theme of the Lisbon’s Youth Days 2023.
Monsignor Américo Aguiar, auxiliary bishop of Lisbon, honored the assembly and gave a motivational speech that stimulated everyone. Father José Alves, national spiritual advisor, also took the floor and read his welcome message, focused on the theme of the Youth Days (Luke 1, 39). Besides the assembly, the pilgrimage continued with other activities, such as the Holy Rosary, vigil, candlelight procession and Eucharist in thanksgiving for the 190 years of the foundation of SSVP.
Click here to read:
A “Letter of Intent” with the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO) will be signed during General Assembly in June. This organization, founded in 1910, is an organ of the Holy See. It gained the canonical status of “international public association of the faithful” in 2016.
The Union comprises about 100 women’s institutions worldwide, with 8 million members in more than 50 countries. Amongst the objectives of the WUCWO there is the participation of women in civil society and in the Holy Church, focusing on the fields of education, poverty reduction, domestic violence, the promotion of human rights, especially the right to life, against abortion, and the defense of underprivileged children.
The WUCWO unites Catholic women around the world, giving them a voice on the international stage. Like the SSVP, the Union has a seat at the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations and is part of other important global organizations.
The presence of women within the SSVP is something extraordinary. We can mention here the wives of our seven founders, among them Amélie Soulacroix Ozanam, as well as Celestina Scarabelli, founder of a women’s branch of the SSVP in Bologna in 1856. Currently, the percentage of women within the SSVP is around 60%, which is remarkable.
To honor the SSVP female members who are part of the nearly 50,000 Vincentian Conferences around the world, the Council General International established in 2020, the INTERNATIONAL SSVP WOMEN’S DAY, celebrated annually on August 14, in reference to Amélie Ozanam who was born on that day.
The next step between the two entities is the signing of an international agreement for institutional cooperation so that the partnership between SSVP and WUCWO can grow, expand and bear much fruit. The Council General is represented in the World Union by sister Paola da Ros, President of the National Council of Italy.
Sovereign Order of Malta receives 2023 “Charity in Hope” Medal
The “Charity in Hope” Medal was created in 2017 by the Council General International and aims to recognize people or institutions, Catholic or other, that have distinguished themselves for their meritorious efforts in the pursuit of building a better world, in the “service of hope”.
Since the creation of this commendation, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul has already awarded the “Charity in Hope” Medal to the Rotary Club International (2018), Scouts (2019), Pontifical Foundation “Aid to the Church in Need” (2020), Jesuit Refugee Service (2021), and Fraternity Without Borders (2022).
The “Charity in Hope” Medal is designed in metal with the following features: the SSVP logo in the center; five petals, each indicating one of the five Vincentian virtues; five crosses representing the five Commandments of the Church; and ten red dots signifying the “Ten Commandments of God’s Law”. The ribbon is tricolored, with the colors of the flag of France, where our Society was born.
In 2023, during the General Assembly of the SSVP, the Medal “Charity in Hope” will be proudly given to the SOVEREIGN ORDER OF MALTA, in recognition of the services of charity they give to humanity. The mission of the Order of Malta is to “defend human dignity and care for the needy”, that is, very similar to the Vincentian mission.
The Sovereign Order of Malta was formed in the 11th century and is currently present in 120 countries, caring for those in need through medical, social and humanitarian services, focusing on the excluded and the most forgotten in civil society. One of its strategies is to act in regions of armed conflict and natural disasters, helping war refugees with medicines and other benefits. The association has numerous hospitals, medical centers, and specialized foundations.
For the following years, the National Councils have until March 30th to suggest to the Council General International the names of persons or institutions that could be awarded the “Charity in Hope” Medal. More details about the rules of this award are available on the Council General website.
The Issue nº 01/2023 of ‘Ozanam Network’ digital magazine, translated and edited by Council General International’s Communications Department, is now available.
One of the highlighted news is “SSVP is celebrating 190 years of its fountation”
This issue is also packed with other news and relevant information, including:
Click here to read the latest issue (01/2023) of ‘Ozanam Network’ digital magazine.
The text points to charity as the center of Vincentian spirituality
The issue number 108 of the renowned newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, published on May 10th, 2023, features an article written by brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, 16th President General International of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP).
Entitled “Charity: yesterday, today and forever“, the text argues that we must seek sanctification through service to the needy, while affirming that charity, which is the center of Vincentian spirituality, is timeless and divine.
Written in Italian, the article was published on page 8 of that periodical, and addresses the principles and values most dear to us Vincentians, such as humility, charity and service. In the text, President Lima de Oliveira says: “In today’s world, full of injustices and indifference, despite all the difficulties and challenges, there are renewed opportunities for the effective practice of charity, especially to address moral and spiritual poverties”.
Brother Renato dedicates much of the article on the triad “tenderness, empathy and boldness” as an effective tool to overcome adversity and broaden solidarity. “Tenderness represents generosity and brotherly love with one’s neighbor. Empathy means suffering together with those who suffer. And boldness allows us to be more creative in the practice of charity,” summarized our President.
At the end of the text, our President, in a farewell tone for the end of his mandate, said: “During the seven years of this mandate, I am sure that I have done everything with much love and charity, offering my best for the growth of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, which continues in its legacy of practicing charity, yesterday, today and forever, as preached by Our Lord Jesus Christ”.
The L’Osservatore Romano is one of the most prestigious periodicals of the Catholic Church, founded on July 1st, 1861. It is a daily newspaper from Vatican City that reports on the activities of the Holy See and the events taking place in the Church and around the world.
The country has two Conferences, located in the city of Celje
With great joy, the Council General International announces that Slovenia (Europe) has just returned to our International Confederation, after several years without any information or contact. The country will be part of the International Territorial Vice-presidency Europe 2, under the responsibility of Sister Irmgard Groier (Austria).
The history of SSVP in Slovenia is very old. The first Conference was founded in 1876 at the Cathedral of Ljubljana, the capital of the country. In 1936, there were 31 Conferences all over the country. At the end of World War II (1945), the government of the former Yugoslavia, of communist orientation, banned the SSVP, closing the Conferences and confiscating all properties and goods.
In 1994, through the initiative of the Congregation of the Mission (Lazarist priests), the SSVP was re-established with the foundation of six Conferences. Between 1997 and 2020, some of these Conferences were closed for different reasons, and their members joined other charities and catholic groups.
Two Conferences have remained active, both in the city of Celje, one hour away from the capital: Saint Daniel’s Conference (8 members) and Saint Joseph’s Conference (18 members). In addition to home visits, the two Conferences offer special services to sick people, refugees, poor families, the elderly and children, with support from their respective parishes.
“The purpose of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul is to cultivate fraternal friendship among members and, through effective charity work (moral, material and spiritual), to provide transformative support to people in need”, commented Father Robert Petkovšek, Visitor of the Congregation of the Mission in Slovenia and spiritual advisor to the Conferences. The Council General takes the opportunity to thank the Lazarist priests for looking after the Slovenian SSVP and ensuring that our work was not interrupted in this country.
“I am very happy about the rejoining of Slovenia to our Confederation. As an immediate act, I have already asked Sister Irmgard Groier, our Vice-president for Europe 2, to visit Celje where we have two Conferences, to embrace our members, supporting them in whatever is necessary. Our idea is that, with the support of the Holy Church and the Vincentian Family, we can take the SSVP to other Slovenian dioceses, taking the legacy of the seven founders forward”, considered 16th President General brother Renato Lima de Oliveira.
With the entry of Slovenia, our International Confederation now has 154 territories, eight of which joined during this mandate: Cayman Islands, Vatican, Liberia, Tanzania, Cyprus, Cape Verde, Albania and Slovenia. The SSVP PLUS Project, focused on the expansion of our Society, has already identified other countries to establish a Vincentian Conference in the coming months, such as Scandinavia, Greece, Morocco, San Marino, Kazakhstan, among others. Let us pray for this!
The new region will accompany the SSVP in seven territories
At the Annual Meeting of the International Territorial Vice-presidents (ITVPs), to be held in Rome on June 12, the 16th President General, brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, will make an announcement: the addition of another International Territorial Vice-presidency, this time for the Far East (Asia 3).
The establishment of the new Territory, which will be taken from the actual Asia 2, does not imply a budget increase, as the global amount of the International Structure allocated for this purpose will remain the same. The territories that will be part of this new region are: South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Macau, Mainland China, and Mongolia.
The main purpose for the establishment of this new region is to give more effective assistance to these countries. This will be accomplished by visiting them more often, helping them in the processes of renewal (election) and approval of statutes, encouraging more solidarity projects and international partnerships as well as increasing the participation of Council General’s representatives at formation events and administrative meetings.
“The closer the Council General is to the territories, the more services will be offered, and thus we can prevent some problems, some of them commonplace, from happening. The Far East is a special area, with specific peculiarities that bring us many challenges. Our Society can still grow a lot in this region. Just as we created in 2016 the Vice Presidency for Oceania, I believe that the time has come for the Far East as well”, said brother Renato
On April 23, a Holy Mass will be broadcasted live on Ozanam TV to the whole world
On Sunday, April 23rd, at 3:30 pm (Paris time), a Holy Mass of Thanksgiving will be celebrated for the 190th anniversary of the foundation of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and the 210th anniversary of the birth of Blessed Antoine-F
The celebration is being organized by the Council General International and the National Council of France. The entire event will be broadcasted live on FACEBOOK and Ozanam TV channels in four languages: French, English, Spanish and Portuguese.
The links will be active on the Ozanam TV channels on FACEBOOK about 15 minutes before the mass starts. Europe is on daylight saving time, so you need to check the correct time that the Holy Mass will be broadcasted in each country in the world. Don’t miss it!
This event was organised (13-15 April) by DePaul University, a teaching centre of the Vincentian charism based in the United States.
His presentation was part of a panel discussion under the title “social transformation”. The President General gave a presentation on “SSVP: 190 years of love, empathy and hope for the suffering” and presented 10 innovative SSVP initiatives around the world to address new forms of poverty.
The meeting was held on-line on March 25.
In 2021, it was agreed to schedule 3 meetings per year of the Territorial Vice Presidents – 1 face-to-face meeting and 2 on-line meetings to discuss issues developing in all regions.
Given the election of the 17th PGI in Rome in June and the inauguration of the PGI in September 2023, it has been deemed appropriate to hold 2 meetings before September: this on-line meeting in March and a face-to-face meeting in Rome in June 2023.
Issues discussed at the March meeting were:
– Twinning: brother Arthur Schultze updated information concerning this program;
– Implementation of the “International Governance Framework”, as the Territorial Vice Presidents were asked to assure its implementation. At this point, Territorial Vice Presidents Frank Brassil and Julio Lima shared their ideas through powerpoint presentations;
– Subsequently, the following topics were discussed: election process at National Council level, communication issues, matters to be discussed at the next meeting in Rome and the type of report to be submitted to the 17th President General.
In addition to the 12 ITVPs and brother Maurice Yeung (International Vice President for the SSVP Structure), also present were brother Renato Lima (16th PGI), sister Marie-Francoise Salesiani-Payet (Secretary General), brother Larry Tuomey (Treasurer General) and brother Sebastián Gramajo (2nd Assistant Vice President General).
With regard to the “International Governance Framework”, brother Renato Lima requested that the PPT presentations by Frank Brassil and Julio Lima be translated (into the 4 official languages of the SSVP), to be distributed to all the relevant departments of the SSVP structure, as well as to the Territorial Vice Presidents themselves.
Regarding the type of report to be prepared for the 17th PGI, a draft was prepared and it was agreed that this report should include a brief summary of the activities of each Territorial Vice President and should be ready by the last week of May 2023.
He was one of the martyrs killed during the Paris Commune of 1871.
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP) and the Religious of St. Vincent de Paul (RSV), as well as the entire Vincentian Family and the Holy Church, celebrate with joy the beatification of Father Henri Planchat, who was a fellow member of a Vincentian Conference in Paris in the early years of our Society.
Mathieu-Henri Planchat (1823-1871) was born in La Roche-sur-Yon, France. He came from a wealthy and very pious family whose father was a magistrate. At his father’s request, Planchat graduated in law at the University of Paris Panthéon-Sorbonne, but soon after he entered the Seminary of Saint-Sulpice to study Theology.
Partner and priest
During his Theology studies, he participated in the St. Lambert Conference between 1843 and 1850. During this period, he met brother Jean-Léon Le Prevost, who was president of the Saint Sulpice Conference. In 1845, Le Prevost had just founded with two other friends (Clément Myionnet and Maurice Maignen), the Congregation of the Brothers of St. Vincent de Paul (RSV).
With them, the young Henri dedicated himself to the service of the poor and the youth of the Parisian suburbs. According to his bishop, three days after his ordination on December 21, 1850, Henri Planchat went to Le Prevost to be received as the first priest of the new Congregation, which until then had only brothers.
Henri Planchat’s religious activity was quite remarkable. He abandoned his comfortable life to serve the poor, acting as chaplain in various works of the SSVP and of the Congregation itself. He visited the poor and the sick, directed a social work for street children and adolescent apprentices, with a strong predilection for the Christian formation of children and young people. In 1862, at the request of the SSVP Conferences of Paris, he was appointed chaplain of the Patronage St. Anne, which helped hundreds of children and young people. He was known as “the apostle of the suburbs” for his work close to the people.
When the Franco-Prussian War broke out (1870), he joined the patriotic movement in favor of the wounded evacuated to the capital and the soldiers in charge of its defense. At the request of brother Paul Decaux, Vice-president of the Paris Particular Council (SSVP), he created an ambulance service to care for the wounded.
Paris Commune
After the war of 1870, the “Paris Commune” broke out, a communist-inspired movement that lasted 72 days, with numerous bloody battles throughout the city. Henri Planchat was never involved in political struggles. His concern was for the wounded of the wars and the safety of children and young people.
On the very day of the beginning of the “Paris Commune” on March 18, 1871, a band of insurrectionists assaulted the Patronage St. Anne under the pretext of seizing weapons, but none were found. Days later, the Patronage was assaulted again. Planchat was interrogated, humiliated, beaten and imprisoned for two months, along with other religious and civilians.
On May 26, 1871, in an anarchist ambush, Planchat and other companions were violently shot, during the terrible “Haxo Street Massacre”. He was 47 years old. After his death, Father Planchat’s fame as a martyr spread rapidly. In 1897, the diocesan phase of the beatification process was opened in Paris. After being introduced in Rome in 1964, this cause finally received the unanimous vote of the consultors in October 2020 and of the theologians of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints in May 2021.
It is important to note that the “Paris Commune”, apart from socio-political interests, was deeply averse to religion. The “Commune” considered religion as “an obstacle that had to be eliminated”. The hatred of faith was evident in the innumerable destructions of churches and looting that took place in places of worship.
Beatification
Following the favorable ruling, on November 25, 2021, Pope Francis recognized the “martyrdom for the faith” of Father Planchat and four other Catholic leaders killed during the Paris Commune, called the “Haxo Street Martyrs” (Ladislas Radigue, Polycarpe Tuffier, Frézal Tardieu and Marcellin Rouchouze). He signed the decree of their beatification and the ceremony will take place on April 22, 2023, 4 PM, in the Church of Saint Sulpice in Paris.
The remains of Henri Planchat rest in the Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, in Paris, in the 15th District. In July 2021, the 16th President General of the SSVP, brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, visited the Shrine and prayed at the grave of Henri Planchat. In the 20th District, where the building of the Patronage of St. Anne was located, the Paris City Hall has paid tribute to him by naming a street after him, which has been renamed “Planchat Street”.
The Council General International will be represented at the beatification ceremony by the Secretary General, sister Marie-Françoise Salesiani-Payet, the Secretary General Deputy, brother Jean-Marc Ossogo, and the International Spiritual Advisor, Father Andres Motto (CM). We ask that, during the week of April 22, in all the SSVP Conferences of the world, an “Our Father” be prayed for the soul of our dear brother (and later priest) Henri Panchat.
Click here to read a little more about the history of the Religious of Saint Vincent de Paul through the book “Maurice Maignen: apôtre du monde ouvrier”, written by Richard Corbon.
" Praise be to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 peter 1:3 )
*HAPPY EASTER* to you and your family as we celebrate our Heavenly Father's greatest sacrifice through his son *JESUS CHRIST.
We are celebrating Easter, the resurrection or bringing back to life, of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion, death and the resurrection that represents Christ's victory over death and the promise of eternal life for those who follow him.
Easter, which follows Good Friday, reminds us of the truth, “ NO CROWN WITHOUT A CROSS".*
*NO WINTER LASTS FOREVER, NO SPRING SKIPS ITS TURN.
The Son of God, born as a man, was executed in the most brutal way the world has ever seen. But he came back as born of death. Jesus taught the world that for every suffering there is a dawn of hope.
Jesus saw his cross as a will of his Father. Therefore, Jesus, who saw doing the Father's will as the most important thing in life, was able to welcome the cross with joy.
The ways of the cross are not the ways of failure if the father arranges. If he prepares it, he himself will provide the strength to complete it.
Easter gives us the important lesson that the victory of evil and falsehood is temporary and we should stand for the truth without looking for crooked ways with the majority.
In this season of rebirth, may you feel your faith, renewed and your heart made new with the hope Easter bring.
Let the resurrection give Joy lift us from loneliness and, despair to strength and beauty and happiness.
*Wishing you all a joyous and exciting Easter. May you be surrounded by *spirituality, inspiration and devotion.
Let us strive to grow *spiritually by showing mercy to others, just like the Heavenly Father who showed mercy and love to us by sending his only Son into the world.
Once again Wishing You all and your family members a Happy and Blessings filled Easter!
With Love and Prayers
S. Jude Z R Mangalraj
President.
SSVP- NCI.
On April 23, a Holy Mass will be broadcasted live on Ozanam TV to the whole world
On Sunday, April 23rd, at 3:30 pm (Paris time), a Holy Mass of Thanksgiving will be celebrated for the 190th anniversary of the foundation of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and the 210th anniversary of the birth of Blessed Antoine-Frederic Ozanam.
The celebration is being organized by the Council General International and the National Council of France. The entire event will be broadcasted live on FACEBOOK and Ozanam TV channels in four languages: French, English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Andrés Motto, spiritual adviser of the Council General, and Jean-François Desclaux, spiritual adviser of the French Council, both Lazarists, will celebrate the mass which will take place in St. Stephen’s on the Mount Church (Saint-Étienne-du-Mont), where the first Conference was founded. Today, two Conferences are active in this parish, one of which is composed of youth.
For the Vincentians who will be attending the event, before mass, there will be a presentation on “Ozanam’s Political Thought” by Charles Vaugirard, author of the book of the same title (2021). The writer has degrees in Law and History, and his favorite subjects are Christian democracy and the social doctrine of the Church. There will also be a short pilgrimage to the Church of St. Medard.
After the celebration, there will be a visit to Saint Rosalie Parish (where the CGI recently inaugurated a plaque and a bust alluding to Ozanam). A visit will also be made to the headquarters of the Council General to view the “Ozanam Historic Space” and for Vincentian get-together afterwards.
The links will be active on the Ozanam TV channels on FACEBOOK about 15 minutes before the mass starts. Europe is on daylight saving time, so you need to check the correct time that the Holy Mass will be broadcasted in each country in the world. Don’t miss it!
On February 6, 2023, at 3:20 am, a terrible earthquake devastated the city of Aleppo, under torrential rains and freezing winds. People lay under rubble or in the streets without shelter. The screams, cries and moans of children tore through the silence of the night. The smell of death emanated from the destroyed houses. People cried or ran along the sidewalks in search of their relatives trapped under the rubble. Aleppo became a dead city in 40 seconds.
The President General International, Renato Lima de Oliveira, upon receiving the bad news, contacted me early in the morning to ask about the SSVP members, their families and the nursing home, and asked all Vincentians around the world to support and pray for them.
Driven by a feeling of empathy and aware of the crucial role of the Society in this time of crisis, the President of SSVP Aleppo, Joseph Ahmar Dakno, quickly published this message:
“My Vincentian sisters and brothers in Aleppo,
We thank God for his grace and mercy, for our survival of this natural catastrophe that has struck Aleppo.
At this moment, we are experiencing the catastrophic effects of a devastating geological phenomenon. Some people have lost their loved ones; may they be in heavenly arms. Others have lost their homes, their property, their cars, their businesses….
This is our mission and it is the will of the founder of the Society, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, who never ceased to repeat that “the poor are our masters, and we are their servants”.
We appeal to all members to provide aid and relief to all victims of the earthquake.’’
Immediately, all collaborators and volunteers set out to serve, crossing roads blocked by debris and destroyed buildings to help the victims. A crisis unit was created and a swarm of young Vincentians roamed the streets, providing food, first aid and being sensitive to the reality of children, adults and families in shelters, tents and even on the streets.
Children terrified and traumatized by the earthquake were cared for by groups of Vincentians who organized dance sessions, songs and distributed crayons and drawing pads. They were also served a small snack.
I am sure that Frederic Ozanam would have been delighted to see these Vincentians “embracing the world in a network of charity”. The solidarity of all our members was remarkable and was very helpful at this disastrous time. Funds were sent from the Council General International, Lebanon, Jordan, the Holy Land and soon from France.
Despite the repeated earthquakes that continue to hit Aleppo and the overall dangerous situation, I decided to visit my brothers in Aleppo and bring them a message of international love.
My visit was a great moral support and comfort.
Ella Bitar
International Territorial Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa
The document will be launched at the 2023 Assembly in Rome
How many times have we heard phrases like these: “My Conference is getting old” or “Young people are not participating in our Conferences as in the past”. To face this problem, which is a reality in many nations, the Council General is preparing a PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR THE REJUVENATION OF VINCENTIAN CONFERENCES. The booklet will be launched at the General Assembly to be held in Rome in June 2023.
The idea of the Guide was announced by the 16th President General International, brother Renato Lima, during his opening speech at the CGI Annual Meeting in 2022 in Paris. At that time, the President said: “Our Conferences, Councils and Special Works have been greatly affected by the changes in humanity in recent years. This requires us to be very creative and innovative to overcome all these challenges. We cannot allow our Conferences to close their doors because many people depend on us. Each Conference that closes its activities is a little bit of the SSVP that dies”.
Due to the improvement of social indicators, the life expectancy of the human being has increased; however, at the same time, we notice a decrease of the participation of young people in the Church and in the institutions formed by volunteers: this combination has been causing a great aging (without renewal) within the Vincentian Conferences and religious congregations.
A committee of experts, under the leadership of brother Júlio César Marques de Lima (ITVP America 3), has initiated internal discussions about this subject and, the writing of a draft document is at an advanced stage. “I accepted the challenging invitation from brother Renato to coordinate the work of the committee, and I believe that the booklet will be very useful for the whole Society. The focus of the document is to propose creative solutions to this issue. We want to help Conference presidents to face this reality”, clarified Júlio César.
The PRACTICAL GUIDE should present the following chapters: 1) Diagnosis of the problem: lack of renewal in the Conferences in many parts of the world; 2) The situation of the Church and the SSVP today; 3) The issue of young people and civil society today (challenges, characteristics, dilemmas); 4) Diagnosis of the issue of aging of humanity and increasing life expectancy; 5) How other entities (religious or not) have faced such a situation; 6) Recommendations to National Councils; 7) Ideas, suggestions and tips to attract youth and young adults.
“The aging of Vincentian Conferences is a worldwide reality, making it a complex and broad issue. The Council General, as a promoter of growth within our Society, needs to offer its contribution on this matter. There are countries that since the 1980s have not presented new requests for aggregation of Conferences, which worry us a lot. At the same time, many Conference presidents, although well-meaning, do not have the technical, managerial, academic or pastoral skills to recruit new members. We need to come up with immediate and effective solutions to address this problem. How to make our Conferences more attractive will be the central objective of this guide,” considered brother Renato Lima, 16th President General.
Contributions and ideas on the subject can be sent to the Committee by e-mail: juliocml@uol.com.br.
The event took place in Paris after the Board meeting
February 25, 2023 will go down in the history of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul because on this date a first mass was celebrated in the chapel of the headquarters of the Council General International, located at de la Glacière Street in Paris.
The celebration was presided over by Father Andrés Motto, CM, International Spiritual Advisor of the Society. The liturgical ceremony took place right after a meeting of the General Council’s Board.
The mass was celebrated in several languages, namely French, English and Spanish, in a collaborative way, i.e. the readings were done by the Board members. The liturgy of the mass was that of Sunday (February 26): 1st reading (Genesis 2, 7-9; 3, 1-7), Psalm 50; 2nd Reading (St. Paul’s letter to the Romans 5, 12.17-19) and the Gospel (St. Matthew 4, 1-11), about the temptations of Christ.
The celebrant asked everyone: “What are the temptations that afflict us today in the work of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul?” During the meditation of the “Credo”, Father Motto invited those present to pray in a different way, asking everyone: “What do I believe in?” Each member spoke about the beliefs they have, about love for God and love for neighbor.
The chapel at the SSVP international headquarters is a very cozy place holding up to 20 people. It is located inside the Ozanam Historical Space, on the first floor of the building.
One of the seven founders of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, Blessed Antoine-Frédéric Ozanam, was an extremely learned man. He was a professor of several subjects, spoke many languages and wrote 11 books, as well as hundreds of articles, booklets, chronicles, texts and pamphlets.
At the invitation of brother Javier Chento, International Coordinator of the Vincentian Family website (www.famvin.org), the 16th President General of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, writes summaries of Ozanam’s books every month. The following summaries have already been published: “The Origins of Socialism” and “A Pilgrimage to the Country of El Cid”.
“Ozanam’s holiness is also manifested in his writings. The lucidity of his thought converts hearts, not only in his time, but especially today. That is why we have Ozanam as our great inspirer, outstanding teacher and example for the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and the Vincentian Family,” stressed President Lima de Oliveira.
The objective of this initiative is to spread even more Ozanam’s thought within the SSVP and the Vincentian Family, presenting his ideas to the entire Vincentian community, in an accessible and direct language, contributing to the formation of our members.
Ozanam was part of a young Catholic intellectual generation, deeply idealistic and active socially and politically. His life was marked by faith and holiness, which we can see through his historical and literary writings. He always defended Christianity, the family, life, human dignity through work, democracy and care for the humblest.
Brother Renato Lima is the author of several books in Portuguese, among them the series “Vincentian Chronicles” (five editions), “Falling in love to Justice and Charity” (in Spanish), “Governmental Relationship” and “The Vincentians and the Brazilian Parliament”. By June, the book “Circular Letters written between 2016 and 2023” will be published and launched at the General Assembly in Rome.
A summary on the book “The Italian Franciscan Poets of 13th Century” will be available next month. Please comment, share and discuss these texts within your conference. Good reading!
The texts are available on the website of the International Vincentian Family
The 2016 General Assembly approved a new Rule in relation to the electoral process.
It states:
“AFTER NOMINATIONS HAVE BEEN DECLARED CANVASSING ON BEHALF OF A CANDIDATE OR AGAINST A CANDIDATE IS FORBIDDEN“
At this stage in the process for the election of the 17th President General the names of the three eligible candidates have been announced by the Electoral Board. Since doing so , the Electoral Board has received a number of requests for clarification of what constitutes “ canvassing “
In response, the Electoral Board wishes to emphasize that the conduct of an election for President General should reflect the spirit and traditions of our Society. We are not a political party.
A spirit of fairness, of respect for each other and ensuring equality of treatment for all candidates must prevail. Any event or publication that favours one candidate over another would be regarded as “canvassing “
Of course, members will have their own ideas about who is the best candidate and we have circulated extensive information on each candidate (a Vincentian CV, an Action Plan and a video supplied by themselves ) to assist members to come to a view on this.
The Electoral Board believes that this obviates the need to have any special meetings or debates involving the candidates. It would be wrong in the opinion of the Electoral Board and constitute “canvassing “ to hold meetings of members to which one candidate was invited or his/her merits promoted.
We believe that it is correct for members to rely on what was circulated by the Electoral Board. It treats all candidates equally. Nothing more is required.
The President General personifies the unity of the Society worldwide (International Statute 3.1). The Electoral Board would regard as unacceptable and contrary to the spirit and traditions of the Society any actions in the course of this election that jeopardised that unity. The Electoral Board is vigilant and will act firmly if any canvassing should occur.
T. Joseph PANDIAN
Président du Bureau Electoral
Vice-Président Général International
(PDF) ELECTION OF PRESIDENT GENERAL: PROHIBITION OF CANVASSING
The last Talk Show of President General Renato Lima de Oliveira was held on February 5th, 2023. His term of office is coming to an end and members asked many questions about his experience and resumé of these years, and others about his future within the SSVP.
The President General was emphatic, affirming that service positions should be assumed as they come, that they should not be sought or desired but accepted with Christian joy, placing yourself in God’s hands and in the trust placed in you by members.
Renato Lima said that as soon as he finishes his mandate he will write a book about his experience because he believes it is important to record everything that it means to assume the responsibility of the general presidency of the SSVP and thus help, with his testimony and availability, those who will take over from him.
Members from all over the world also asked questions about a wide range and interesting topics. For example, Renato Lima answered questions about the importance of formation and the General Council’s commitment to structuring universal Formation Themes that help us understand the service and values that sustain the Conferences throughout the world.
Members also asked about the Thematic Years initiative and the International Literary Contest to learn more about the founders of the SSVP and other important figures in the history of our beloved institution. The President General replied by reaffirming the need to know the origins and the foundations on which our mission in the world was founded, a mission of charity towards the poorest through fraternal life and the deepening of the members’ faith.
The President General also spoke about our responsibilities, stating that when conferences decrease in number or charitable activities cease, we have to look, first of all ourselves and ask if we had enough zeal and concern for this not to happen, commenting that there can always be excuses to justify a failure as important as the closure of a Conference, but that the real cause must be sought within ourselves.
The Circular Letter was also discussed, a document that the President General published in each year of his term of office. Renato Lima sees it as an intimate and personal writing in which he offers to each member his thoughts, concerns and learnings. It is a means of direct communication with the grassroots of the Society from which “we must never dissociate ourselves”. In this sense, he also spoke of the importance of being present in the different territories in which the Vincentians carry out their work, and touch the reality that our conferences live throughout the world.
There were questions about the current socio-political situation and the response of the SSVP to various tragedies, specifically the war in Ukraine and the phenomena that trigger Vincentian emergency aid and the medium and long term work of the conferences.
The President General reported on the process of Ozanam’s canonization and the progress made in recent years, as well as on the upcoming General Assembly in Rome, to be held in June, which will culminate with the election of the next President General.
Renato Lima said goodbye to all the participants of the Talk Show, assuring that he will spare no effort to fulfill his mission until the last moment, to respond with his service to the trust placed in him and for which he will be eternally grateful.
You can enjoy the talk show again by clicking here.
The next day, the grave of co-founder Le Taillandier will be visited
On February 25th, the International Board of the Council General will meet in Paris (France) for its first gathering of the year. The meeting will be held at the world headquarters of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, which is equipped for such events with an auditorium and translation booths.
The agenda includes the following highlights: timetable for the elections of the 17th General President; General Assembly in Rome; 3rd Lusophone Summit; Ozanam’s canonization; Mass for the 190th SSVP anniversary; Youth Days (Lisbon 2023); drafts documents and books to be launched and SSVP Plus.
The next day, February 26th, the Board’s members will travel to the City of Rouen, 150 km from Paris. There, the representatives of the Council General will visit the places where Pierre-Auguste Le Taillandier (one of the seven founders of the SSVP) lived, worked and is buried. The city’s Vincentians are preparing a nice reception for the international delegation.
Since being elected 16th President General International, brother Renato Lima de Oliveira has held about 30 meetings of the Board. The Statutes of the Council General calls for a minimum of three meetings a year; however, during this term, the average was one meeting per quarter.
“The members of our Board are very qualified people from different continents with complementary visions. This helps me a lot in the decision-making process. Having them with me is an opportunity for great growth, especially in the areas of leadership and administrative management. I want to publicly acknowledge two of their main virtues: dedication and loyalty”, commented President Lima de Oliveira.
Following the activities in Paris and Rouen, the President General will visit Monaco and Nice (France) in the company of the Secretary General International, sister Marie-Françoise Salesiani-Payet. We ask for your prayers for the success of all the events that will take place during these days.
To: PRESIDENTS OF SUPERIOR (NATIONAL), ASSIMILATED AND ASSOCIATED COUNCILS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF THE SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
In accordance with the procedures set out in the Statutes of the International Confederation of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, the Electoral Board has reviewed the candidates nominated and has deemed that the following three members have satisfied the requirements cited in the Statutes and are eligible to stand for election for the 17th President General:
Eduardo MARQUES ALMEIDA (Brazil)
Juan Manuel BUERGO GÓMEZ (Spain)
María del Carmen GUZMÁN SOTO (Guatemala)
I am sending to all members eligible to vote and publishing simultaneously on the Society’s website, the following summary information which each of the candidates has submitted:
VINCENTIAN “Curriculum vitae“
ACTION PROGRAMME (if elected)
VIDEO PRESENTATION OF CV AND ACTION PROGRAMME
To listen to the video in four languages, Spanish, French, Portuguese and English, use the following link:
On 13th March, the Electoral Board will send you the ballot papers as well as detailed instructions on the conduct of the election which will take place in the afternoon of the first day of the General Assembly in Rome (13 June 2023). You will find information on the procedures to be followed in the document “Electoral Rules “which was circulated to you in August 2022.
May we draw your attention to the statutory prohibition on canvassing for or against any candidate from the date of this announcement.
Please continue to encourage your Conferences and Councils to pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance for the electors in choosing the best candidate to lead the Society.
Yours Fraternally.
T. Joseph PANDIAN
Chairman Electoral Board
International Vice President General
(PDF) – Notification of the candidates for the election of the XVII President General of the International Confederation of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
This will be the second year that SSVP celebrates this date
On February 17th, the Holy Church celebrates the liturgical date of the “Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order”. The congregation, whose official name is the Secular Order of the Servants of Mary, was founded in 1233 in Italy.
The names of the Seven Holy Founders, who were canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1888, are the following: Bonfiglio Monardi, Bonaiuto Manetti, Amadio de Amadei, Ugoccio de Ugoccioni, Sostenio de Sosteni, Maneto d’Antela and Aleixo Falconieri.
Dating back to the 12th-13th centuries, there were numerous confraternities and religious orders that sprang up in Europe, established by Christians who sought a life full of Gospel values in opposition to greed, luxury and mundane pleasures.
The Order of the Servants of Mary was founded by seven young men who, as a token of holiness, gave up luxury to live a holy life based on prayer, penance, self-denial and devotion to the Holy Mother of God.
We, at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, should be inspired by the example of the Servites to praise the life of our seven founders, equally holy men who dedicated their lives to family, to charity, to the Church and to the creation of a more equal and fraternal world: Bailly de Surcy, Ozanam, Lallier, Devaux, Le Taillandier, Clavé and Lamache.
On February 17th, the Council General International kindly encourages the entire Vincentian community to commemorate the memory of the SEVEN FOUNDERS OF THE SOCIETY OF SAINT VINCENT OF PAUL and requests all the Vincentian Conferences of the world to recite the Lord’s Prayer, for the souls of our “seven holy founders”.
Geneva
The United Nations in Geneva has been for more than 75 years a center of multilateralism, working for peace, the rights and well-being of “men, women and children everywhere. In the historic setting of the Palais des Nations, the UN – Geneva brings together people, organizations and nations to ensure a better future for all.
As a diplomatic center with almost universal representation of states, Geneva is the ideal place for international cooperation to flourish. Last year, some 5,300 meetings were held at the Palais des Nations, each of them impacting the lives of people around the world in various ways.
Driven by the desire to maintain international peace and security, it works actively to advance disarmament, implement the Sustainable Development Goals, protect and promote human rights, promote gender equality, eradicate poverty and provide timely and effective humanitarian assistance in emergency situations.
Through partnerships between governments, civil society, research centers, academia and other international actors, UN Geneva strives to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. By fostering mutual respect and understanding, cultural exchange and debate, UN Geneva protects and preserves the institutional memory and cultural heritage of the United Nations (https://www.ungeneva.org/rapportannuel/).
I have the privilege of representing the Council General International of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul at the United Nations in Geneva. I am very grateful to all fellow members who have placed their trust in me. These past three years have completely changed our way of life, but despite the difficulties and my humble means, I have been able to continue to maintain relations with our NGO partners and UN agencies.
Here are some of the files and work carried out, sometimes by videoconferences, through exchanges or by co-signing different Statements prepared by our NGO partners:
I thank brother Renato Lima for having chosen me for such an important service to our Society.
Marie Françoise Salesiani-Payet
SSVP General Secretary
SSVP Representative at the UN – Geneva Headquarters
Today, on February 8th, the International Literary Contest “Vincentian Historical Characters – Jules Gossin” is officially opened, similar to the previous years’ contest (2016-2022), which focused on the seven founders of the SSVP.
The procedures, with the rules and the appendix for this competition, are available on the CGI website (www.ssvpglobal.org). The written entries must be no more than 20 pages long. Cash prizes will be awarded for the three best entries (1000, 750 and 500 euros, respectively). The SSVP Conferences to which the winners belong will also receive a cash award to the same value, to be spent on behalf of the families and individuals they help, or on Vincentian works.
Entries may be submitted in one of five languages: Portuguese, Spanish, English, Italian and French. The closing date for sending in dissertations / studies will be 8th July 2023. The organizing committee will announce the final result on 9 September 2023, and the prizes will be sent to the winners immediately afterwards.
Council General hopes that many Vincentians, especially young people, will take part in the competition,
So come on! Let’s ask Superior Councils to help CGI spread news of this competition to the Conferences and Councils in every country, as well as to Vincentian schools and colleges, and to Catholic universities.
Click here to read the rules and annex of the literary contest.
For more information: cgi.formation@ssvpglobal.org
The Council General is closely following the situation
Soon after earthquakes shook several areas of Turkiye and Syria with repercussions in Cyprus and Lebanon on February 6th the Council General International immediately contacted the local leaders to verify the possible impacts on the Vincentian Conferences, our members and especially the people assisted.
The Council General International continues to monitor the situation daily, looking for other information to be able to measure the damage caused by the earthquake and thus be able to activate the departments that take care of global solidarity in this region.
Many Superior Councils inquired about the aid that will be sent to the affected areas. But until we have all the information regarding the situation on the ground, there is no need to send financial resources at this time. This may happen in the future.
The President General requests that at Conferences and Councils meetings to be held this week, three Hail Marys be prayed for the victims of this terrible earthquake, which has claimed thousands of lives. “This is an immense catastrophe that has caused pain and destruction. We are all devastated, along with the affected countries. Let us pray for Turkiye and Syria,” exhorted Brother Renato Lima.
Jeanne-Marie Rendu was born in Confort, France.
In 1802, she entered the mother house of the Daughters of Charity in Paris, taking the name of Sister Rosalie. She was appointed to visit the Mouffetard district of Paris, a very poor area, with a bad reputation. She became a tireless worker on behalf of those in need.
Sister Rosalie is the great counsellor to all those who are friends of the poor. When Frédéric Ozanam and his friends formed their Conference of Charity in 1833, they approached Sister Rosalie to ask for her support. It was she who taught these young people “to see Our Lord in the poor, and the marks of his crown of thorns in their foreheads”.
Sister Rosalie started an association for young workers, a nursery for the children of female workers, a home for the elderly and a charitable organization. This was a place where the highest civil and church authorities could come to ask her advice, and where she also welcomed vagrants who were seeking help.
In 1852, Napoleon III awarded her the Grand Croix de la Legion d’Honneur.
On the day of her funeral, a vast crowd followed the coffin to Montparnasse cemetery. Her tomb is inscribed with the words “To Sister Rosalie from her friends, both rich and poor”.
In order to facilitate the attendance and access of more members of the Vincentian Family to the courses of the International Formation Center (CIF), these courses will also be held outside of Paris (France).
In fact, the first CIF course of this kind will be held in the Philippines, specifically at the Betania Retreat House, located in Quezon City, one of the districts/cities that make up Greater Manila.
This formation course, open to all Vincentians in the Asian zone, will be held in English from March 5-19, 2023, and its central theme will be “Vincentian Spirituality and Ethics”.
The International General Council signed a cooperation agreement with the International Formation Center – CIF in 2021, by this agreement the members participating in any course offered by the CIF will enjoy a 50% discount on the registration fee. We are pleased to have Father Andres Motto, CM, who is also the director of the CIF, as well as our international spiritual advisor.
“The CIF courses are very important for the Vincentian Family, especially for us in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, because the contents taught there renew our Vincentian action and bring new elements to make the work of the conferences more effective, productive and transformative with the people who suffer the most. For this reason, I strongly recommend to the dear members of the SSVP of the Philippines and the countries of this area to make the effort to participate in this course because it will really be worth it,” said Renato Lima de Oliveira, XVI International President General of the SSVP.
All those interested can obtain more information or register at the following e-mail address: cif.asiamanila2023@gmail.com managed by Fr. Darío Pacheco C.M. and Evalor Rivera.
Attached information:
Registration Form A (For those living outside of the Philippines) – English only
Registration Form B (for those living in the Philippines) – English only
Invitation letter – English only
On Sunday, February 5th, the Council General International was live on Facebook, for a “Talk Show ”
This was the sixth time that Brother Renato Lima participated in such initiative. The “Talk Show” aims to inform all members of the SSVP about the ongoing actions at the international level, allowing a direct and fluid communication between the President General and SSVP members around the world, thus increasing dialogue and transparency.
The Council General thanks wholeheartedly the Ozanam TV team and the interpreters who will do translation on a voluntary basis this Sunday.
The program was coordinated by Ozanam TV and the translation is available into the following languages:
Below is the direct link for the facebook connected to this event.
https://www.facebook.com/ozanamtven/videos/749376420068352
The initiative took place after the 2015 earthquake
The devastating earthquakes that struck Nepal in 2015 left 8 844 confirmed deaths, more than 20 000 injured, 600 000 houses fully destroyed, and more than 280 000 houses partially damaged.
During this time, the Council General International of the Society of St Vincent de Paul helped the affected people of Bulung Village (Dolakha District) rebuilding the village about 300 houses, to support Caritas Nepal. We also supported the installation of drinking water systems to these households. Altogether, SSVP spent around Euro 800 000 euros in earthquake’s reliefing.
During the visit to Nepal made by the President General International, Brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, on January 14th and 15th, a special diploma was delivered to the Council General International, and it will be placed at the world headquarters in Paris. The certificate is an acknowledgement of our partnership with Caritas Nepal by helping the people affected by the disaster, and for supporting Caritas Nepal in the social development services in general.
“I want to thank all the countries, that make up our Confederation, for having, in 2015, sent the economic resources necessary for CGI to effect this collaboration with Caritas, and thus we were able to help hundreds of Nepalese,” said President Lima de Oliveira.
Brother Johnson Varghese
ITVP Asia 1
This will be the last program of this term. Save the date!
Next Sunday, February 5th, the Council General International will host, live on Facebook, another “Talk Show with the President General”.
Vincentians from all over the world will be able to make comments, ask questions to the 16th President General, Renato Lima de Oliveira.
The event will start at 1 PM (Paris time) and should last an hour. Find out the correct time of the program in your country!
This virtual encounter is significant, as it will be the last program of this administration, since the mandate of President Lima de Oliveira ends on September 9th, 2023. The program will be coordinated by Ozanam TV and there will be translation into the following languages:
This is the sixth time that Brother Renato Lima participates in such initiative. The “Talk Show” aims to inform all members of the SSVP about the ongoing actions at the international level, allowing a direct and fluid communication between the President General and SSVP members around the world, thus increasing dialogue and transparency.
The President General, as he has done in the past, will answer all questions without censorship or previous selection. Topics related to youth, communication, formation, canonization, international headquarters, leadership, elections, strategic planning, among others, can be discussed.
The Council General thanks wholeheartedly the Ozanam TV team and the interpreters who will do translation on a voluntary basis this Sunday.
We kindly ask, during the transmission of the program, the sharing of images with other Vincentians and National Councils to allow a greater number of people to follow and participate in the program.
Anyone who would like to ask a question or make a comment in advance, in any language, should write to: tvozanam@gmail.com (please provide your complete name, city, country and Conference to which you belong).
Save the date! Don’t miss it!
Missionary visit to New Delhi, India
The President General was In the Indian capital, New Delhi, from January 9 to 11. The Central Council of New Delhi is made up of 5 Area Councils and 45 Conferences. The agenda was prepared by the National President, Bro. Jude Mangalraj, with the support of the local President, Bro. Stanislaus. The President General met with Archbishop Mgr. Anil Couto, visited the Sacred Heart Cathedral, took part in a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Central Council and gave a talk to about 60 Vincentians of the metropolitan region.
Official Visit to Kathmandu, Nepal
The missionary visit of the President General to Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, took place from January 12-14. It was the first visit of a President General in this country. The SSVP was founded in 2010 and has 15 active Conferences, three in the capital and 12 in the interior. Bro. Arnold D’Souza is the National Coordinator of the SSVP (no National Council yet). The President’s agenda included a meeting with Vincentians at St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish (80 people), an audience with Archbishop Mgr. Paul Simick, a working meeting with the national leadership and a visit to Our Lady of the Assumption Conference. Less than 1% of the Nepalese population is Catholic.
Institutional Visit to Kolkata, India
The second stop of his trip to India was in Kolkata, land of St. Mother Theresa, on January 15 and 16. The agenda in Calcutta, prepared by Bro. Ashish Biswas (president of the Central Council), included the celebration of the Holy Mass in Saint Anthony’s Parish by Archbishop Mgr. Thomas D’Souza; a talk to about 100 Vincentians of the metropolitan region of Kolkata; a visit to the Congregation of the Missionaries of Charity’ headquarters, an entity founded by Mother Teresa; and a visit to an orphanage serving 80 children with special needs. There was also a visit to Catholic sites, especially to Saint Paul’s Cathedral, Holy Rosary’s Parish and the Church of Saint Thomas. Kolkata has 5 Area Councils and 30 Conferences.
President General visits Singapore
The visit of the President General took place between January 17 and 20. His agenda was prepared with great care by the National President, Sister Lucy Cher. Some highlights: audience with Cardinal Mgr. William Goh; home visits; meeting at the National Council; a presentation to Vincentians; a visit to special works and social projects, and to institutional partners. Renato Lima met with Bro. Michael Thio, 15th President General, and they had good moments together. The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul was founded in Singapore in 1951. It has 30 active Conferences, 5 Area Councils, 800 members and render assistance to 3,000 people.
More information will be published in the digital magazine “Ozanam Network”, issue number 1/2023.
More information will be published in the digital magazine “Ozanam Network”, issue number 1/2023.
The President General speaks of the importance of succession at the Council General and gives some advice to the Vincentians.
Today, January 31th, 2023, another Circular Letter written by brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, 16th President General International of the SSVP, as he has been doing since the beginning of his mandate.
The Circular Letters are published in general, annually, and follow a tradition started by the 1st President General Bailly de Surcy when he wrote the first one in 1841. In it, the President General speaks directly to the hearts of all the Vincentians of the world, presenting ideas and proposing reflections.
This year, the Circular Letter contains 17 pages, seven chapters and 70 references as footnotes. Brother Renato, who will be leaving his mission on September 9th, has given the text a farewell tone while at the same time sharing an accountability for his seven years in office.
In chapter 1, there is a general introduction to the content of the Letter, announcing the main highlights. Chapter 2, entitled “The Council General moves forward”, is subdivided into seven themes, addressing the initiatives underway, the challenges faced by the Conferences, the importance of working together with other welfare agencies, the relevance of young people, the good relationship with the Church, the missionary journeys of the President General and an update on the canonization of Blessed Antoine-Frédéric Ozanam.
Chapter 3 is dedicated to the elections for the position of 17th President General, in which brother Renato gives details of the electoral process and lists the best characteristics of a good leader. In chapter 4, spiritual recommendations are given to all the brothers and sisters, focusing on poverty, good works and divine grace.
Chapter 5 lists some challenges to be faced by the SSVP in this post-pandemic period. In particular, Renato invites everyone to reflect on the revitalization of the Conferences and the modernization of Vincentian practices, the importance of recruiting new members and the importance of the Vincentian formation, the need to reduce bureaucracy, to improve the way of doing charity and to get involved with other institutions to better serve the needy.
Chapter 6 is entirely dedicated to the International Thematic Year in honour of brother Jules Gossin, 2nd President General, and the literary competition in his honour, initiating a new phase, called “Vincentian Historical Personages”. Finally, in chapter 7, President Lima de Oliveira thanks everyone for the support he has received during his mandate, and, with much emotion, prepares the transition within the Council General.
Click on this link to read the President General’s full Circular Letter.
All the Circular Letters of this administration are available at this link
John Berry, president elect of SSVP in the United States
After 25 years of professional career in companies, and in the United States federal government, working in the fields of nuclear energy and environmental engineering, our brother assumed the general direction of SSVP in Georgia in 2006. He is now the newly elected National President of the SSVP in the United States and will take office on September 9, 2023.
Always worried with poverty and the most vulnerable families need, John Berry will put all your engagement and skills to perform his service as National President of a country which the SSVP counts with 100 000 brothers/sisters, distributed in more than 4 400 Conferences.
During the electoral process, the finalista applications were the John Berry’s and the Brian Burgess‘. In the words of President General, brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, “Both North American applicants, John and Brian, are very good brothers, engaged and committed, with the right qualities to be an excellent president of the National Council of the United States. For this reason, the Council General was very glad already. Now that we know who won the election, we receive John with arms wide open, we’re already sure the he will keep the good working that our brother Ralph Middlecamp began 6 six years ago“.
The President General deepened into the figure of the ideal president and into the good work from the United-States‘ SSVP, adding that “our beloved brother Ralph has served with a high professional level, but, above all, with much charity. The USA are an example for our Confederation, and we’re sure that with John we’ll have the same availability and proximity.
The President General speaks of the importance of succession at the Council General and gives some advice to the Vincentians
Next January 31, another Circular Letter written by brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, 16th President General International of the SSVP, will be launched in seven languages, as he has been doing since the beginning of his mandate.
The Circular Letters are published, in general, annually, and follow a tradition started by the 1st President General Bailly de Surcy when he wrote the first one in 1841. In it, the President General speaks directly to the hearts of all the Vincentians of the world, presenting ideas and proposing reflections.
This year, the Circular Letter contains 17 pages, seven chapters and 70 references as footnotes. Brother Renato, who will be leaving his mission on September 9th, has given the text a farewell tone while at the same time sharing an accountability for his seven years in office.
In chapter 1, there is a general introduction to the content of the Letter, announcing the main highlights. Chapter 2, entitled “The Council General moves forward”, is subdivided into seven themes, addressing the initiatives underway, the challenges faced by the Conferences, the importance of working together with other welfare agencies, the relevance of young people, the good relationship with the Church, the missionary journeys of the President General and an update on the canonization of Blessed Antoine-Frédéric Ozanam.
Chapter 3 is dedicated to the elections for the position of 17th President General, in which brother Renato gives details of the electoral process and lists the best characteristics of a good leader. In chapter 4, spiritual recommendations are given to all the brothers and sisters, focusing on poverty, good works and divine grace.
Chapter 5 lists some challenges to be faced by the SSVP in this post-pandemic period. In particular, Renato invites everyone to reflect on the revitalization of the Conferences and the modernization of Vincentian practices, the importance of recruiting new members and the importance of the Vincentian formation, the need to reduce bureaucracy, to improve the way of doing charity and to get involved with other institutions to better serve the needy.
Chapter 6 is entirely dedicated to the International Thematic Year in honor of brother Jules Gossin, 2nd President General, and the literary competition in his honor, initiating a new phase, called “Vincentian Historical Personages”. Finally, in chapter 7, President Lima de Oliveira thanks everyone for the support he has received during his mandate, and, with much emotion, prepares the transition within the Council General.
All the Circular Letters of this administration are available clicking here
The Central Council of Delhi had the great privilege to host the prestigious visit of our International President General Bro. Renato Lima de Oliveira to Delhi on 10th and 11th of January 2023 accompanied by International Vice President Bro Joseph Pandian, International Vice President Territorial Bro Johnson Varghese and our own National President Bro Jude Mangalraj who had chosen Delhi for the visit of the President General. Of course, our own International Twinning Officer Bro Stanley Michael, Sr Vice President of CC Delhi by making all arrangements ensured glitch free movement of the dignitaries in Agra and Delhi.
Our President General Bro Renato reached Delhi on 9th Jan and was given a warm welcome. On 10th Jan Bro Renato visited the symbol of Love, Taj Mahal and enjoyed the most at the precious marble stones brought from different parts of the world to build the monument.
On the 11th Jan Bro Renato and the dignitaries participated in the CC Delhi Board meeting spirituality enriched by our Spiritual Advisor Monsignor Susai Sebastian and the interaction of the President General with the board members on the working of Area Councils and the Conferences are noteworthy. After the Board meeting the President General and the dignitaries called on our Patron Most Rev. Anil J.T.Couto, Archbishop of Delhi and the Auxiliary Bishop Most Rev. Deepak Valerian Tauro and the VG Monsignor Vincent D'Souza and our Spiritual Advisor were present. Our Archbishop and Bro Renato shared on the memories of Brazil.
After lunch the President General took the opportunity to pay homage at Rajkot, the Tomb of Mahatma Gandhi and took a round of Red Fort.
In the evening a meeting with the Vincentians of CCD and Northern Region was held which included a performance of Bharat Natyam by the students to show our cultural heritage and all the dignitaries addressed the gathering. Bro Renato in his speech emphasised on the need to maintain spirituality in our charity work and maintain cordiality amongst members. To keep his visit to Delhi a memorable one a memento was presented to Bro Renato by CC Delhi. Our Vincentians were so appreciative of the humility of Bro Renato who mingled with each conference members and posed for photos.
CCD takes this opportunity to thank the National President who chose Delhi for the visit of our President General.
On completion of his visit Bro Renato and the dignitaries left for Nepal on 12th Jan morning.
Thanks to all our CC President's for their prayers for safety and successful visit to Delhi. Following are few photos for your glance.
M.S.Stanislaus
President, CC Delhi
The visits will take place between January 9 and 19, 2023
Continuing the missionary trips to motivate members of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul around the world, the 16th President General International, brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, will undertake institutional visits to India, Nepal and Singapore from January 9 to 19.
In India, the visit will take place in two cities: New Delhi and Kolkata. In Nepal, all events will be held in Kathmandu. The last leg of the trip will be a visit to Singapore City, the capital of Singapore. In all these countries the agenda is quite similar: meeting with the National Council, gatherings with SSVP members, visiting Vincentian special works, audiences with representatives of the clergy and the Vincentian Family, contacts with the Catholic media, among other appointments.
This will be brother Renato’s second visit to India. In 2017, he visited the southern region (Goa, Chennai and Cochin). It will be President Lima de Oliveira’s first foray in Singapore and Nepal. The President General will be accompanied, depending on the country visited, by brothers Joseph Pandian (Vice-president General), Johnson Varghese (Vice-president International Territorial), Gabriel Mondel (Territorial Delegate for Special Projects) and Thomas Tan (Vice-president International Territorial).
The General Council is grateful to the National Councils of India, Nepal and Singapore for the planning of the agendas and logistics of the visits as well as generously paying some of the expenses such as food, accommodation and local transportation. We ask for your prayers for the success of these missionary trips, and may the Good Lord protect all those involved in this journey.
Country | SSVP date of foundation | Approximate number of members | Number of active Conferences |
India | 1853 | 63.000 | 7.000 |
Nepal | 2013 | 200 | 15 |
Singapore | 1951 | 750 | 30 |
We are ending 2022 and welcoming 2023, the year in which our Society of Saint Vincent de Paul will celebrate, with the grace of God, its 190th anniversary.
But 2023 holds strong emotions about several other dates, which will also receive our support and appreciation. Let us look at some of these important dates below.
On January 31st, another CIRCULAR LETTER will be published, the last one this term.
On February 8, the INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF JULES GOSSIN will be officially opened, with the launch of a literary contest as in previous years.
On February 17th, we will be celebrating the SEVEN FOUNDERS of the SSVP, on the same liturgical date of the seven founders of the Servite Order.
On April 23rd , to celebrate the 190 years of foundation of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, a Holy Mass, will be broadcasted live from Fatima (Portugal), in four languages, for the whole planet. On the same day, we will commemorate the 210th anniversary of the birth of Blessed Antoine-Frederic Ozanam.
From June 13th to 17th, the GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the International Confederation will be held in Rome with the election of the 17th International President. On July 4th, will be a great moment for the youth with the “International Day of the SSVP Youth”.
On July 21st,, the foundation of the International General Council 184 years ago (1839) will be remembered. And on August 14th, the INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SSVP’s WOMEN MEMBERS, in honor of Amelia Ozanam, will be widely celebrated in all regions of the world.
On September 9th, the inauguration of the new President General will take place in Paris, France. As well, members will visit the tomb of the 2nd President General International, Jules Gossin (1789-1855). And to close the year with a “golden key”, on November 19th, members will reflect on the 7th World Day of the Poor.
As described above, the year 2023 is full of glorious moments in which the SSVP will be in international evidence. We pray the Good Lord that we can carry out all these activities and initiatives.
The present Board of Directors has been working very hard, with the support of the staff in Paris, to do our best to prepare all these events and ephemerides. We thank everyone for their support, especially the Superior Councils that form our Confederation.
Brother Renato Lima de Oliveira
16th President General International
Sri Lankan presidential elections and meeting with the Archbishop of Dhaka-Bangladesh
Brother Johnson Varghese, International Territorial Vice President – Asia I (ITVP-Asia 1), visited recently the Superior Councils of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
At the end of October 2022, brother Varghese was invited to participate at the National Assembly of Sri Lanka, which was meeting for the first time after the pandemic and brought together more than 150 Vincentians from several regions where conferences are active.
At the end of November 2022, brother Varguese visited Bangladesh to discuss important issues linked to the functioning of the SSVP in that country. He also met with the Archbishop of Dhaka, His Excellency Bejoy N D’Cruze. A very successful meeting in which he was accompanied brothers Joseph Pandian, International Vice President General and brother Gabriel Mondel, representative of the Territorial Vice Presidency Asia I for micro-projects.
Preliminary comments
How many countries are there in the world? It’s not easy to answer this question. First of all, what does the concept of “country” indicate? Considering this subject in more detail, the Council General noted that there were big differences in the officially-agreed figures. While the UN recognises 193 countries around the world, the International Olympic Committee has 206, while FIFA (for football lovers), lists 211 countries. Some observers consider that the UN list is “artificial”, since it does not match specific territorial boundaries, and they estimate that in fact there are 324 countries across the world! So this number varies according to the political or social criteria used by each organisation to define what a “country” or a “nation” is. Views differ in this field. Each of the lists available have benefits and disadvantages. But they are drawn up according to criteria appropriate to each organisation.
Since none of these lists fully satisfies the needs of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (using the UN criteria for instance, several of our territories are simply not recognised), Council General has decided not to follow existing lists of countries, but instead provide its own Vincentian list of countries, in accordance with its original traditions.
The countries or nations we will call “Vincentian territories”, for the purposes of clarity, are those Vincentian areas which have been formed over time for reasons of history, culture and the development of the association in the country concerned. So the “Vincentian territory” does not always match the “national territory”.
Updating statistics
There is a second problem as regards our association. Statistics have been somewhat neglected in recent years. The figures provided were approximate, and were not examined in detail.
Our 16th President General, Renato Lima de Oliveira, wished to clarify the situation and review everything.
The full list of “Vincentian territories”, as you will see, has therefore been drawn up with great care, based on the latest information provided by our 12 Territorial vice-Presidents on the situation of our organisation on the ground.
Council General undertakes to keep it up to date every year, as the Rule requires of us; in order to maintain “an accurate picture of the true scale of the Society” (article 6.2.2 of the international statutes).
Our organisation therefore has a presence today on all 5 continents, in 153 Vincentian territories (figures for December 2022) and 140 UN countries. Here are the numbers for each continent:
Continents |
Vincentian Territories |
Africa |
42 |
America |
36 |
Asia |
33 |
Europe |
32 |
Oceania |
10 |
TOTAL |
153 |
To see the full list, click on the link:
Remarkable growth
Ever since the Holy Spirit inspired our seven founders to establish the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in 1833, our association has grown continually:
YEAR |
EVENT |
PRESENCE IN THE WORLD |
1833 |
First Conference of Charity |
France |
1853 |
Death of Blessed Frédéric Ozanam |
17 territories, including 11 in Europe |
1933 |
Centenary of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul |
64 territories |
2000 |
Second millennium |
127 territories |
2023 |
Current situation |
153 territories |
Inspirational prospects
These positive figures could never satisfy Vincentians, since, as Blessed Frédéric Ozanam reminded them in 1835, “Charity should never look back, but always ahead, because the number of its past good deeds is always small, and the present and future sorrows it must relieve are infinite.”
So the task remains huge: so many hearts to be consoled in the world, so many people knowing nothing of the path to holiness offered by Conferences – to serve and meet God by practising works of charity, mercy and evangelisation.
During the term of our dear brother Renato Lima de Oliveira (2016/2023), seven (7) new countries joined our Confederation, in spite of the strong impact caused by the pandemic that limited Vincentian actions. They are: Cayman Islands, Vatican, Liberia, Tanzania, Albania, Cape Verde and Cyprus. For the coming years, there are promising contacts to establish a first Vincentian Conference in the following countries: Morocco, Greece, Kazakhstan, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, San Marino, Andorra and Gabon, among others.
Through the “SSVP PLUS” project, Council General thus continues its mission with enthusiasm, to “develop the Society around the whole world”, consolidating existing structures, re-energising the weakest, and introducing the Society to new countries.
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul has only one desire: that the poor and suffering Jesus, hidden in our deprived brothers and sisters around the whole world, should be loved and served even more!
“Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name be the Glory!” Psalm 115.
According to the Rule, it is the President General’s responsibility to appoint all members who will serve the Council General in any role of the international organizational chart drawn up based on strategic planning.
According to President Generals’ tradition, these appointments are limited to two years. Since the term of brother Renato Lima de Oliveira was extended from six to seven years due to the pandemic, as decided by the International Executive Committee (IEC), a new, residual appointment has become necessary only for the period January 1 to September 8, 2023, when this term ends.
After that date, the next President General will have the prerogative to choose other members, promoting a healthy renewal that is advisable for the International Structure. According to Article 3.28 of the International Statutes, if the new President General so chooses, he may keep the current members of the Structure for six months after taking office, i.e. until March 9, 2024, in order to have adequate time to appoint new collaborators.
Therefore, today, January 2, 2023, the Council General is publishing the list (PDF) with the names of the brothers and sisters from all over the world who have generously accepted the invitation of the President General to do some service within the Council General International. The list is divided into six parts: A (International Board), B (Permanent Section), C (International Territorial Vice Presidents and Zone Coordinators), D (Territorial Delegates), E (Commissions and Departments) and F (other positions and services).
“I thank those Vincentians who have served in the International Structure during this mandate, to whom I express my immense gratitude for their services. To those who stay with us, I wish that they continue with the same affection, dedication and loyalty. And to those who are joining us now, I wish you a warm welcome. Serving the Council General is an honor, a great responsibility, and an immense privilege,” said President Renato Lima de Oliveira.
As you can see, there are many and varied tasks and missions to be accomplished at the Council General and, behind each one of them, there is a committed Vincentian, who will do his best, with God’s help, to fulfill the strategic plan of our organization. There are about 150 positions for which all the Vincentians on the attached list will receive a diploma of service in the coming days.
The President General has made minor adjustments to the International Structure and has kept the same countries that are currently part of the International Executive Committee (IEC) in the two categories that he has the exclusive prerogative to appoint:
Vincentian territories between 0-500 Conferences | Vincentian territories between 501-999 Conferences |
Netherlands, Uruguay, Tonga, Indonesia and Mozambique | France, Canada, Portugal, South Korea and Philippines |
Dear Vincentian Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Let's welcome 2023 with new HOPE and LOVE.
“YOU ARE THE GIFT OF LOVE”
Dear Brothers, as Vincentians, it is our duty to spread the love of Christ to those in need through the services and deeds we perform. LOVE is the key that unlocks the gates of happiness. Let’s thus begin this New Year by giving each other the greatest GIFT there is: the GIFT of unwavering LOVE and acceptance. It looks not with eyes, but with a kind heart.
We see God’s LOVE for us in sacrificing His only son as the greatest GIFT of all times.
St. Paul reminds us in Corinthians 13:4 that LOVE is kind, LOVE is patient, LOVE is not envious, boastful, arrogant, or rude, and LOVE rejoices in the truth.
We can give without loving, but we can never LOVE without giving. Let’s explore our dreams and our passions, and share them with the less fortunate. Most importantly, let’s do it in person, since we are the GIFT OF LOVE to those in need.
LOVE is always bestowed as a free GIFT, willingly and without expectation. It involves in unselfish service to others. Our Vincentian life would be significant, unwavering, untiring, and useful in the journey forward in life, if we are able to do a good deed for others every day in this new year.
Although we can love without giving, we can never give without LOVE. LOVE is always given as an undeserved, free gift, voluntarily, and without conditions. It entails selfless assistance to others.
With the Gift of LOVE, I wish you everyone and your families a joyful new year.
“YOU ARE THE GIFT OF LOVE”
Wish all of you and your family a wonderful new year ahead with the Gift of LOVE.
S. Jude Mangalraj
President - SSVP- NCI.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has returned to the Father’s House.
The Holy See Press Office announced that the Pope Emeritus died at 9:34 AM on Saturday morning in his residence at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, which the 95-year-old Pope emeritus had chosen as his residence after resigning from the Petrine ministry in 2013.
“With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 AM in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. Further information will be provided as soon as possible. As of Monday morning, 2 January 2023, the body of the Pope Emeritus will be in Saint Peter's Basilica so the faithful can pay their respects."
Funeral
During a briefing at the Holy See Press office at midday, the director, Matteo Bruni, told journalists that Pope Francis will preside over the funeral of the Pope Emeritus on 5 January at 9.30 CET in St. Peter's Square.
He added that as from Monday, the body of Benedict XVI will be lying in state in the Basilica so that the faithful who wish to do so may pay their last respects with prayers and a final farewell.
Bruni also said the Pope Emeritus on Wednesday, 28th in the afternoon, received the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick in the monastery at the end of Holy Mass.
The SSVP India joins the world in mourning the death and prays for the repose of the soul of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
Rest eternal grant unto him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him!
The project of the Thematic Years is entering a new phase, on the great personages of the SSVP
In a few days, with the grace of God, we will enter the year 2023, dedicated to brother Jules Gossin (1789-1855), 2nd President General International of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.
In the Circular Letter that the 16th President General, brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, will publish next January 31st, there will be a chapter on Jules Gossin, presenting his biography and the achievements of his mandate at the head of the General Council.
Next February 8th, the International Literary Contest “Vincentian Historical Characters – Jules Gossin” will be officially opened, similar to the previous years’ contest (2016-2022), which focused on the seven founders of the SSVP.
“The Year of Jules Gossin is very special as we are also celebrating the 190th anniversary of the foundation of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and the 210th anniversary of the birth of Blessed Antoine-Frédéric Ozanam,” commented President Lima de Oliveira.
Auguste-Sébastien-Jules Gossin was born in the city of Bar-le-Duc (France), 230 km from Paris. He had four brothers. He graduated in Law (1809) from the University of Paris and worked as a lawyer and magistrate throughout his professional life,
He married Anne-Henriette Leblanc de Closmussey (1796-1857) in 1813. The couple had eight children. In 1826, Gossin founded the “St. Francis Regis Charitable Society,” to assist in the weddings of those most in need. He worked closely with Sister Rosalie Rendu from whom he received the foundations of the Vincentian charism.
Gossin was one of the first members of the Society. After the breakup of the first Conference into four, he became President of the Saint Sulpice Conference. Gossin was elected 2nd President General on April 23, 1844, succeeding brother Emmanuel-Joseph Bailly de Surcy.
Gossin was a very humble person, of extreme good humor, a great jurist, an advocate of home visiting, concerned about Vincentian leadership and the importance of young people in the SSVP. Jules Gossin’s body is buried in the Picpus cemetery (Paris) and will be visited by the CGI Board members in September 2023.
The following are the official images of Jules Gossin, in four languages, which can be used by all Conferences, Councils and Vincentian works.
Joy to the world, A precious gift to the Mankind, the LORD has come!
Every year we prepare for Christmas on 25th December and we all get together to celebrate and give Christmas gifts to each other also its the season of joy of families united.
It is a celebration, a time for giving and not simply a day we exchange Gift.
Today let us think about what Christmas is and why we celebrate it?
What is Christmas without Jesus Christ?
In John 3: 16 we read about a most precious gift: "For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him should not perish but may have everlasting life."
And this eternal gift was not an afterthought, but rather God's plan from the beginning. God being all knowing, knew that humanity would rebelliously sin against him.
Let's all prepare our hearts with a purified mind and spiritual awakening for the birth of Jesus, who will incarnate on earth as a human being to remove the sins of the world and save the human race.
The spirit of Christmas is in the " Love ".
lt is in the thought to which you put into thinking about others, it is a selfless time, where we forgive, take stock of what's important and become better version of ourselves.
Let’s LOVE one another deeply, tender hearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven us.
ln proverbs 10:12 we read " Hatred stirs up strife, but LOVE covers all sin.
Trust in the Lord with all our heart and prepare our mind and attitudes for a fascinating and most wonderful Christmas by spreading mutual LOVE happiness and brotherhood.
As we prepare for the celebration of the birth of the Son of God, who is LOVE itself, let us remember, "LOVE "doesn't grow in gardens. It is not sold in markets. It should be formed in the minds of people.. and it should be imparted to others.
Wishing you all a Merry, bright Christmas with the light of "GOD'S LOVE."
You are the Gift of God.
*S. Jude Mangalraj
National Council of India.*
The Issue no 03/2022 of ‘Ozanam Network’ digital magazine, translated and edited by Council General International’s Communications Department, is now available.
One of the highlighted news is “The Pope receives a letter on the canonization of Ozanam”
This issue is also packed with other news and relevant information, including:
Click here to read the latest issue (03/2022) of ‘Ozanam Network’ digital magazine.
With great joy, the Council General International releases this video, with subtitles in four languages, produced by Ozanam TV, containing the Christmas Message 2022.
At the request of our President General, brother Renato Lima, this year the format of the message was different, as each member of the International Board, in his own language, participated in the video.
The result was very beautiful. It is worth watching, sharing and sending the link to our Vincentian friends, both in the Conferences and outside the SSVP, within the Vincentian Family and the Holy Church.
The Council General wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and that 2023, the International Year of Jules Gossin (2nd General President), be crowned with blessings and achievements, with much health and peace.
My dear brothers and sisters, we are celebrating the Lord’s Christmas, a time of renewal, tolerance, and reconciliation.
The birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ fills us with hope and peace. The Holy Family of Nazareth is the greatest example of compassion and love. We feel God’s grace filling our hearts through Jesus the Savior. This grace is transforming lives, saving souls, healing the ills of the world.
Christ is God’s greatest gift to humanity. Christ is life! Without Him, we are nothing. Without Him, we are all poor.
May the “yes” of Mary also be the “yes” of humanity. Welcoming the refugee, the sick, the miserable, as we do with Christ.
Today, more than ever, we need to spread Christ’s message throughout the planet. To all who suffer, to the persecuted, to the wronged, to those without hope. To all excluded brothers and sisters, the invisible ones of society.
May Jesus reign in the hearts of all, and may the grace of God fill us with blessings. To end wars, violence, prejudice and intolerance. The world needs peace. The world needs forgiveness. The world needs love. The world needs empathy. To build a less unequal and more just world.
These are the wishes of the General Council International of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul for the entire Vincentian Family.
And that in 2023, International Year of Jules Gossin, 2nd President General, we build a world with more solidarity and fraternity among peoples. Happy Year 2023.
The insignia was conferred in the grade of “Commendator” to brother Renato Lima
On December 16, brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, 16th President General International of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP), received the highest decoration of the Brazilian government, granted by the President of the Republic, Jair Bolsonaro, the Medal of the Order of Rio Branco (“White River”).
This medal was created in 1963 and, each year, is intended to “reward those who have earned the recognition of the Brazilian government, serving to stimulate the practice of actions and deeds worthy of honorable mention as well as a distinction for meritorious services and civic virtues” (text of the rules of the Order of Rio Branco).
The “Order of Rio Branco” is a decoration awarded in five degrees: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commendator, Officer and Knight. The medal of Renato Lima had the rank of “Commendator of the Republic”. The insignia is a four-armed, eight-pointed cross enameled in white, which has in the center a silver sphere with the Latin inscription “Ubique Patriae Memor“, which means: “Wherever I am, I will always have the homeland in my memory”.
Since taking office, President Lima de Oliveira has already received 12 titles of “Honorary Citizen” and three other Brazilian mentions: Legislative Merit Medal (2016), Pedro Ludovico Legislative Merit Medal – Goias Province (2016) and the Public Security Merit Medal – Federal District (2022).
“I dedicate all the mentions and awards I receive, as well as the titles of citizenship, to the fellow members around the world, because, in reality, this recognition is not for me, but for our dear members, who carry the Vincentian seed to every corner of the planet”, emphasized brother Renato.
He concluded: “We Vincentians do not seek any human recognition, only from God. However, by receiving these medals, Parliaments and Governments show that they publicly value the greatness of the Vincentian work to overcome poverty, exclusion, and social vulnerability”.
The word “commendator” means that the person awarded has distinguished himself by “contributing to the enhancement of society, either through his work or his social, economic and political influences”. It is not a noble title, and no remuneration is received for it.
Results of the international competition to promote quality education
On June 14th, 2022, Brother Willian Alves, International Vice-President for Youth, Children and Adolescents, introduced the international competition “Young Vincentians: Committed to quality education to fight poverty”.
The idea of holding the contest came from brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, 16th President General International, and had the full support of all the Board members, since the strengthening of Vincentian youth is one of the strategic objectives of this mandate.
The objective of this contest was to select social projects with a focus on quality education as an effective means of combating poverty, to be implemented in Vincentian countries.
The participation period began on June 15 and ended on October 15 of this year. During this period, 43 projects were received in which young people from the following nationalities participated: Brazil, Nigeria, India, Kenya, South Africa, Honduras, Guatemala, Philippines, Chad, Ghana, Tanzania, Botswana, Mozambique, Trinidad and Tobago, Nepal, Malawi and Haiti.
The competition jury appreciates the participation of the 43 young people who submitted their proposals and congratulates them for the very creative and ingenious projects they developed.
Among the projects received are the following: training for teachers and volunteers, creation of educational spaces, preservation of endangered languages, educational camps, library habilitation, early stimulation for educational disorders, among many others. Each Vincentian territory is encouraged to follow up on the projects submitted and review costs and budgets so that they can become reality.
The winners of the contest are:
Juliana Joseph. Haiti. America 1.
Cecilia Monterroso. Guatemala. America 2.
Andrea Flores. Honduras. America 2.
Juliana Rosa. Brazil. America 3.
Iohannes Henrique. Brazil. America 3.
Felipe Porto. Brazil. America 3.
Irene Mutinde. Kenya. Africa 1.
Polit Edward. Nigeria. Africa 1.
Gijon Cox. South Africa. Africa 2.
Felix Manjate. Mozambique. Africa 2.
Arum Sharmila. India. Asia 1.
Philip Cortes. Philippines. Asia 2.
Many thanks to all participants and congratulations to our winners!
The laureates will attend the International Youth Meeting of the Vincentian Family and participate in World Youth Day, July 29 to August 6, 2023.
International Competition Jury.
To all the members of the Vincentian Family
Dear brothers and sisters,
May the grace and peace of Jesus be always with us!
This Advent letter is an invitation to pray, meditate, and interiorize the “Evangelical Counsels” as a means to pursue our journey with Saint Vincent de Paul, a “Mystic of Charity.” Jesus is the center of our being, our action, our aspirations. For us Christians, He is the focus, model, and the One to put in first place in our own lives, regardless of whether our vocation is to married life, single life, or some form of Consecrated life. Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience are indisputable and vivid signs in Jesus’s life, for He was poor, chaste, and obedient.
Usually when we speak of the Evangelical Counsels of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience, we link them to persons in Consecrated life. They follow a specific path, confirmed by the vows they make. However, the Evangelical Counsels are part of the response to the universal call to holiness for every Christian, but always according to her or his specific vocation, given by Jesus Himself.
Jesus remains the prototype of the three Evangelical Counsels. Although He had it all, He lived poorly. He was chaste, allowing Him great freedom in His relationships. He was obedient, expressing with great clarity that His mission on earth would develop according to the Father’s plan and surrendering totally to His Father’s will to the last second of His earthly life, to the cross where He exclaimed before returning to His Father’s house: “It is finished” (John 19:30).
The foundation for the Evangelical Counsel of Poverty is the life of the Son of God:
Jesus Christ, who having all things, had nothing. He was the Master and Lord of the whole world. He made the goods that are in it; yet, He willed, for love of us, to deprive himself of their use; even though He was Lord of the whole world, He made himself the poorest of all men and even had less than the smallest animals.[1]
Our common call as Vincentians to serve the poor urges us to witness to the world our configuration to Christ that began with our baptism and deepens until our return to the Father’s house. As Vincentians, our priority is not the accumulation of material goods and financial resources for our own selfish reasons, for we always bear in our minds and hearts that the poor are “Our Lords and Masters” who have a claim to our resources. Considering how we can assist them helps us to live the Evangelical Counsel of Poverty through a sober and simple way of life. The Vincentian mission places us in the world of the poor. Vincentian poverty fosters a community of service and solidarity with our brothers and sisters.
It also presupposes patterning our life on the example of the poor Jesus, who evangelized the most abandoned. Saint Vincent, following a long Church tradition, distinguishes between interior and exterior poverty, both of which are necessary. Without an external manifestation, “spiritual poverty” is not credible. Without spiritual motivation, “material poverty” may often be evil.
The Evangelical Counsel of Chastity likewise concerns all Christians, obviously those who vow it but also persons who are married and those who are single. As Vincentians, who are regularly in touch with the poor, we must not help them only materially, but also spiritually, approaching the person in a holistic way, sharing the value of chastity with them as we evangelize. The poor will come to understand Christian relationships by how we live in accordance with the Gospel values, serving as light and salt for humanity.
Chastity involves interior and exterior continence, according to one’s state in life, so that a person’s affectivity and sexuality are lived out with deep respect for others and for oneself. Celibacy presupposes the renunciation of marriage and the sexual expressions proper to it.
For Vincentians in Consecrated life, these two elements of the vow—chastity and celibacy—are external manifestations of a total dedication of one’s life. They should be perceived as an undertaking of a “particular responsibility: the service of the poor” and not as a rejection of familial responsibility. The demands of a radical following of Jesus lead Vincentians in Consecrated life to offer themselves completely for the cause of the Kingdom.
For Vincentians in general, the Evangelical Counsel of Chastity helps us to grow in an intimate relationship with Jesus. As generous self-giving to others, chastity promotes our evangelizing and charitable mission to the poor, an expression of generativity and creativity. Like poverty, chastity encourages a community of service that can be effective only through friendship and fraternal relationships.
We are called to develop freedom and mutual support through healthy friendships and prudence, leading to apostolic zeal. We need to recognize our own weaknesses, our need for humility, and our reliance on Jesus’s indispensable support. Saint Vincent affirms, “Humility is a very excellent means for acquiring and preserving chastity.”[2] There are moments when fidelity to Jesus entails sacrifice. Saint Vincent recommends serious sacrifice (mortification) of the interior and exterior senses, and knowing how to avoid ways of expressing affectivity and sexuality that are not in keeping with the celibate life. Because our humanity has its strengths and weaknesses, we must speak about difficulties sincerely with Jesus and with other people who can support us, like our confessor and spiritual director.
The third Evangelical Counsel is Obedience. It speaks to persons who are open to Jesus’s message. Despite doubts and uncertainty, they surrender to Jesus and trust Him, persuaded that, in the end, the path He is suggesting we follow is the best. As Saint Vincent reminds us, “You will have God’s blessing in actions performed through obedience.”[3]
Obedience involves Gospel values and attitudes including humility, simplicity, meekness, dialog, the gift of listening in married life, in single life, or in Consecrated life. Even when speaking to consecrated persons, Saint Vincent often evokes the example of lay people’s obedience and deference:
I knew a Councillor of the court… Although he was a Councillor and up in years, he never did anything without seeking advice. If no one else was about, he would send for his valet, ‘Come here, young Pierre. I have to attend to a certain business matter; what do you think I should do about it?’ His valet would answer, ‘I think you’d do well to act this way.’ ‘Fine, Pierre; right you are. I’ll follow your advice.’ And he told me that he felt God blessed matters in such a way that any business he carried on in that fashion was successful.[4]
When two or more persons cannot agree among themselves, especially in serious issues, it is the Evangelical Counsel of Obedience that brings them to a state of inner peace and reconciliation that they could not imagine. As Christians and Vincentians, we strive not to have the last word, or be right, but to place ourselves in the role of a servant, the one who serves and not the one who is served.
May our meditation and interiorization of the Evangelical Counsels help each of us to respond to the universal call to holiness and thus experience great blessings.
How blessed are those who give themselves to God in this way to do what Jesus Christ did, and to practice, after His example, the virtues He practiced: poverty, obedience, humility, patience, zeal, and the other virtues! For in this way they are the true disciples of such a Master. They live solely of His Spirit and spread, together with the fragrance of His life, the merit of His actions, for the sanctification of souls for whom He died and rose again.[5]
My Advent prayer for all the members of the Vincentian Family is that you “continue to fear and love Him [Our Lord] well; offer Him your difficulties and your little services, and do only what pleases Him. In this way you will continue to grow in grace and virtue.”[6]
Your brother in Saint Vincent,
Tomaž Mavrič, CM
[1] Vincent de Paul, Correspondence, Conferences, Documents, translated and edited by Jacqueline Kilar, DC; and Marie Poole, DC; et al; annotated by John W. Carven, CM; New City Press, Brooklyn and Hyde Park, 1985-2014; volume XI, p. 210; conference 130, “Poverty,” 6 August 1655. Future references to this work will be indicated using the initials CCD, followed by the volume number, then the page number, for example, CCD XI, 210.
[2] CCD XI, 162; conference 111, “Chastity,” 13 November 1654.
[3] CCD VI, 574; letter 2431 to François Villain in Troyes, 25 October 1657.
[4] CCD XIIIb, 282; document 160, Council of 20 June 1647.
[5] CCD V, 554; letter 2013a to Joseph Beaulac, [1656].
[6] CCD IV, 402; letter 1512 to the Sisters of Valpuiseaux, 23 June 1652.
PDF – The Evangelical Counsels: The Universal Call to Holiness
The World Day of the Poor will be celebrated on 13th November.
Father Motto has prepared an excellent reflection which will be very useful for all members of our Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, and for all the other branches of the Vincentian Family. It is not lengthy, but is a very profound and knowledgeable piece. Going from the Introduction to the Conclusion, it is divided into three, very well-written parts: Jesus and the poor; Vincent and the poor; Ozanam and the poor. At the end, there is a list of 10 suggestions for a more focused way of living the World Day of the Poor, serving those who suffer in more practical ways. I know that we are presently living through a health crisis, but the suggestions can be implemented without anxiety, always respecting safety protocols.
Father Motto’s text is incredibly rich, but at the same time, easy to understand, full of examples with scripture quotations or references to major writers, not just Catholic and Vincentian, linked to human history. It is pleasant, encouraging and, above all, very comforting to read Fr Andrés Motto’s words. He always teaches us to live our Vincentian charism with prayer and action, like St. Vincent and our leaders and founders, through Ozanam. We can never lose sight of our servants, our loved ones, our friends and our masters -the poor- who open to us the gates of Heaven.
May this WORLD DAY OF THE POOR help us achieve the aims proposed by Pope Francis in this world, helping us to build a more fraternal, fairer civil society, since the poor you will always have with you (Mk 14:7).
Brother Renato Lima de Oliveira
16th President General
The President General will represent the SSVP, and will carry out a parallel institutional agenda.
The annual meeting of the Vincentian Family Executive Committee (VFEC), chaired by Father Tomaz Mavric, Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission (CM), begins today (November 7) and takes place until next Friday, November 11.
The event takes place at the Mary Immaculate House, with the presence of the main Vincentian branches. Representing the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP) will be the 16 th President General, brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, accompanied by brother Ricardo Tavares, International Coordinator of the Vincentian Family Department at the Council General.
Several topics are on the agenda, amongst them: evaluation of the work of the existing Vincentian commissions and task forces, discussion on the 2023 budget, analysis of the projects on homelessness, Vincentian action with the refugees in Ukraine and the organization of the 2 nd International Meeting of the Vincentian Family Leaders. Holy Masses will be celebrated every day, and on Wednesday there will be the traditional Papal audience.
In addition to the Vincentian Family gathering, the President General will have a busy parallel agenda at the Vatican, focusing on the canonization of Antoine-Frédéric Ozanam. There will be visits to dicasteries, congregations and pontifical councils with which the SSVP has institutional relations, as well as interviews with the Catholic press and audiences with ambassadors and clerics. President Lima de Oliveira will visit the St. Peter’s Conference and intend to meet with representatives of the Order of Malta.
For these institutional meetings, brother Renato will be accompanied by three Vice-presidents of the Council General: Sebastián Gramajo, Antonio Gianfico and Juan Manuel Buergo Gómez. We ask for your prayers for the success of all these activities in the Eternal City.
Blessed Souls Day
"But the Soul of the just are in the hands of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them" - Wisdom 3:1
Death is not the end, but a new beginning for our heavenly journey.
Save the date: the SSVP General Assembly in Rome is coming soon
The highlight will be the election of the 17th President General
The Council General International is finalizing preparations for several activities June 12 to 18, 2023 in Rome (Italy). The most important activity: the General Assembly. The events will take place at the Hotel Casa Tra Noi.
As soon as the program is approved by the International Board of Directors, it will be disseminated to all National Councils. All activities will be broadcasted live on Ozanam TV as it has been the practice since the beginning of this mandate.
It will be a week full of events, according to the following agenda:
The theme of the Assembly will be: “Fraternity, communion and mission: in the footsteps of the seven founders”. The highlight of the agenda will be the election of the 17th President General International. Those present will also have the opportunity to participate in the papal audience, which always takes place on Wednesdays in St. Peter’s Square.
During the event there will also be: renewal of the Concordat, modernization of the International Statutes, granting of the “Charity in Hope” medal and cooperation agreement with the International Order of Malta, and the launch of three documents (“Global Report”, “How to rejuvenate Vincentian Conferences” and “Handbook for National Youth Committees”).
“We are working hard to make these events in Rome the best ever. The moment of the presidential election is something important, a unique moment in the life of our Confederation, and we hope that everything will be carried out in an atmosphere of simplicity, unity and harmony. We will take advantage of the presence of national presidents to offer them a special formation focused on strategic and priority issues for the future of our Society,” said Secretary General, sister Marie-Françoise Salesiani-Payet.
We ask for your prayers for the success of all these events that will be promoted by the Council General in the Eternal City. We thank the National Council of Italy for the logistical support they always kindly give us.
Paris, October 25th, 2022.
In accordance with the Electoral Rules governing the conduct of this election (a copy of which may be found below) the latest date for the receipt of nominations was 15 October 2022.
By that deadline, valid nominations for five candidates had been received. The next stage in the agreed electoral process is for the Electoral Board to contact each of the candidates nominated, validate the personal information given and ensure that it complies with the requirements of the International Statutes.
At this stage, none of those nominated can be regarded as an eligible candidate. This must await the final declaration of the Electoral Board which will announce the names of all eligible candidates at the same time. Until then the names of those nominated must remain confidential.
It would be most unfair to those nominated if the name of one was identified and promoted by supporters when the names of the others are not public knowledge. We strongly urge all SSVP members to respect the Electoral Rules.
May we draw attention to the prohibition on canvassing, approved at the General Assembly in 2016 (an amendment to Basic Requirement 11, fifth paragraph).
We kindly ask that this statement be widely disseminated within our Confederation.
MEMBERS OF THE ELECTORAL BOARD:
Thomas Joseph Pandian, Vice-president General
Marie Francoise Salesiani-Payet, Secretary General
Larry Tuomey, Treasurer General
Dear Brother and Sisters,
Greetings in the name of Bl. Frederic Ozanam!
Last year on September 9th, the feast day of Blessed Frederic Ozanam, The President General International, Renato Lima de Oliveira, on behalf of the Council General International has announced the results of the 5th International Literary Contest “the First Conference – International Thematic Year of Jules Devaux”.
Accordingly, that the prize money INR 40,170/- (equivalent amount to EUR 500) was handed over to Sis. SELVI ANITA MARY on last Sunday (23/10/2022) at the end of the Holy Mass at St Mathias Church, Ashok Nagar by the Parish Priest & Spiritual Advisor Rev Fr Arul Xavier Raj. The President of National Council, Bro. Jude Mangal Raj and President of Madras Central Council Bro. Lawrence and on behalf of St Mathias Conference handed over a Poetry Greeting card. An equivalent amount of INR 40,170/- is granted to St Mathias Conference by CGI, which shall be used for educational scholarship to college students.
The SSVP India, once again congratulates Sis. SELVI ANITA MARY who brought honours to SSVP India and also requests every member to take part in and make a contribution to the greater good of SSVP.
Catholic group to take on malnutrition by partnering with Catholic church by producing vegetables on church land that are idle
The Philippine Agriculture Department on the occasion of World Food Day on Oct. 16 pledged to supply vegetable seeds to be planted on Church land by members of the Kalinga ng Diyos Foundation (Care of God Foundation), which is dedicated to curbing hunger in the archipelagic country in Southeast Asia.
“The Catholic Church owns vast tracts of land that are, sad to say, lying idle. Members of the foundation would be shortly approaching the parish priests to lease Church-owned land. The Catholic Church would still own the lands. The foundation would just borrow and use them for the humanitarian project. In fact the foundation is ready to shoulder any expenses as long as they were “reasonable,” he added.
In 2019, the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor issued an appeal to the Catholic Church to let its land be used for humanitarian purposes as “an act of Christianity and act of Christ in serving those who are less fortunate and neglected.”
In this perspective, it may be appropriate to recall the recent statement on twitter by our Beloved Pope Francis,
“Poor People are not “outside” our communities. They are brothers and sisters whose suffering we share. In order to alleviate their difficulties and marginalisation, so that their lost dignity might be restored, and to ensure their necessary social inclusion” - Pope Francis
- https://twitter.com/Pontifex/status/1581970782627971072?t=iIkedH2b2q1k3OclHNS27w&s=08
Should SSVP think on the above lines and look into such opportunities to serve the needy, especially the vulnerable, whom God loves more? It's possible to organise brainstorming sessions at the national level to find these ideas, work on them, and then present them to the leadership for approval with necessary guidance. Of course, extreme caution must be taken to protect SSVP from any negative effects given that this a global organisation which has special place in the Church in UN, the global forum.
The complete information about the initiative is available in the link below.
https://www.ucanews.com/news/philippine-catholic-group-to-take-on-malnutrition/99109
Every year, on October 17th, humanity reflects on the “International Day for the Eradication of Poverty”, an initiative declared by the United Nations in 1992 in recognition of the work of the Servant of God Joseph Wresinski, a French priest who gathered approximately 100,000 people in 1987 at the Human Rights and Liberty Square in Paris to defend the excluded.
Last week, Pope Francis addressed the Redemptorists who were in Rome to participate in the 26th General Chapter of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. He stressed in depth the theme of poverty, emphasizing that it is necessary to renew the mission and to be more audacious for those most in need. The Pope made it clear that poverty is not the result of destiny, but rather a consequence of selfishness. For him, the poor suffer injustice, indifference and aversion.
In the message, the Pontiff recommended that we should not be afraid to take new paths and get our hands dirty in the service of the most needy. The Holy Father stressed that charitable work must aim at humility, unity, wisdom and discernment. And that the renewal of the Church goes through a process of conversion of heart and mind and above all through a true “change of structures”.
At the end of His message, the Pope asked the Lord to be faithful and persevering in the mission, without ever forgetting the poorest and most abandoned whom we serve with humility and charity. In the same week, in another sermon, the Pope appealed to governments around the world to implement public policies for the development of people focusing on the creation of work and not on welfare programs that perpetuates misery.
“Where men and women are condemned to live in poverty, human rights are violated. To unite to ensure that these rights are respected is our solemn duty.”
Servant of God Joseph Wresinski (1917-1988)
The event was an initiative of the National Council of England and Wales
At the invitation of the National Council of England & Wales, the 16th President General International, brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, gave the online presentation: “PGI’s mission around the world; six years mandate”. The event took place on September 29th and brought together dozens of brothers and sisters from England & Wales.
The national president, sister Helen O’Shea, who is also president of the Governance Department of the Council General International, highlighted the importance of permanent and updated training for SSVP members: “The more we know about the international action of our Society, the more we will strengthen our action at the local level”.
In his presentation, brother Lima de Oliveira presented the general objectives of the International Strategic Planning (2016/2023), showing the achievements in each segment since the beginning of his mandate. The highlights were: the seven founders, formation, youth, governance, canonization, new headquarters, institutional action, ombudsman, expansion to new territories, global solidarity and communication.
After the talk, several Vincentians asked questions to the President General on various matters. “These webinars are an excellent opportunity to bring the members of the Society together to reflect on current issues and highlighting specific themes. We want to congratulate the National Council of England and Wales for creating this Vincentian formation program. I remember with joy my visit to Newcastle, Leeds and London in June 2018 when I saw firsthand the quality of the work of the SSVP in favor of the most needy”, emphasized Renato Lima.
The idea of offering this kind of training in webinar format emerged in March 2020 when the first COVID-19 lockdown was imposed by the British government, forcing people to stay at home for a long period of time in an attempt to contain the pandemic. Since then, topics such as Vincentian spirituality, loneliness, health, and helping refugees, among others, have been addressed.
The formation lectures always take place on Thursday evenings, and are transmitted over the internet by “Zoom”. The upcoming webinars will be as follows: October 6 – “Visiting Prisons”; October 13 – “Accompanying beneficiaries through a cost-of-living crisis” and October 20 – “Re-integrating ex-offenders: SSVP Approved Premises”. Please Participate! More information: brianr@svp.org.uk (Brian Roxburgh) or www.svp.org.uk
Click here to read the presentation given by President Lima de Oliveira, in English language only.
“My heart is big enough to love much”. This quote from Amélie Ozanam, née Soulacroix, could represent what her life was like, which is chronicled in this book written in collaboration by Matthieu Brejon de Lavergnée, historian and coordinator of the work, by Magdeleine Houssay, descendant of Frédéric and Amélie, by Father Leonard de Corbiac, editor of the correspondence between Amélie and Frédéric, and by Francisco Javier Chento, editor of Frédéric Ozanam’s work in Spanish.
Amélie is presented in the book as a woman full of life, cheerful, creative and charming, who married Frédéric Ozanam, the main founder of our beloved Society of Saint Vincent de Paul at 20 years old.
Amélie, with her tender and comforting love, her attention to others, her deep and generous faith and her interest in political, social and religious current affairs of her time had a profound influence on the character and thinking of her husband to whom she remained faithful until beyond his death.
This detailed biography is accompanied by a selection of Amélie’s letters, many of them unpublished, allowing us to discover a woman who expresses with simplicity and frankness her thoughts, the joys andsorrows of her daily life.
On August 14th, 2020, on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Amélie Ozanam, and in recognition of her figure and the importance of women in our Society, the Council General International proclaimed that this date would henceforth be the celebration of the International SSVP Women’s Day.
The book is currently available in French and English. You can obtain the book here.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Happy Feast of St. Vincent De Paul!
September is the one of the important months for the Vincentians. On 8th September, we celebrated the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and on 9th September we celebrated the feast of BL. Frederic Ozanam, the founder of Society of St. Vincent De Paul.
Today, on the 27th September as we celebrate the feast of our heavenly patron St. Vincent de Paul and it is Vincentian Day.
St. Vincent de Paul Says that affection should be proved by deeds as it is not sufficient to have charity in our hearts and in our words but it should be translated into actions, to that extent giving our life, if need be, as our Lord has given HIS. Then is charity perfect and become fruitful.
Effective charity, Pandemic charity and justice are the essence to be face to face with the poor in spirituality.
Let’s visit and serve to the needy with the true Vincentian spirit in the their environment.
I wish all of you lead the Vincentian reflection in the society. Let us open our hearts to the poorest and most abandoned in the spirit of St.Vincent de Paul ad Blessed Frederic Ozanam.
Let's always remember that humility is the basic virtue of the spiritual life.
I wish all of you a fruitful Vincentian Day.
May God bless you all through the intercession of ST.Vincent de paul.
Bro. Jude Mangal Raj
National President
SSVP NCI
To the members of the Vincentian Family throughout the world
Dear sisters and brothers,
May the grace and peace of Jesus be always with us!
We are fast approaching the Feast of Saint Vincent that officially falls on 27 September, but, given the reality of a country, the celebration may be held on some other day to allow the greatest number of persons to attend.
We are seeing the return to in-person gatherings, which bring us joy and encouragement, since we are able again to witness as family, as persons of faith, participating in the Eucharist and other celebrations that a year ago were still hampered by the pandemic. This is an additional reason for us to put all our efforts and talents into making this observance of the feast of Saint Vincent de Paul a memorable one after these past few years of very limited gatherings or their prohibition.
In fact, the whole month of September is called a Vincentian month. Depending on the structure and program of the Vincentian Family in a given country, different events, gatherings, and initiatives may be offered throughout the month. These might include days of recollection for youth who are discerning a vocation to the consecrated life, as well as formation and charity initiatives to deepen our Vincentian spirituality and charism. We also invite others, who may not know Saint Vincent de Paul and the other Saints, Blessed, and Servants of God of the Vincentian Family, to get to know our Vincentian spirituality and charism through our words and deeds.
The title of this year’s letter for the Feast of Saint Vincent de Paul is, “From a Vincentian Family Structure toward a Vincentian Family Movement” and “Vincentian Centers of Spirituality and Formation around the world.”
Not so long ago, the international leaders of the different Vincentian Congregations of Consecrated Life and Lay Associations began to gather every year to build closer relationships and collaboration, as belonging to the same spiritual and charismatic group, even though each one retained its own specificity and uniqueness. This group began to be called “the Vincentian Family” and was symbolized by a tree with many branches. The central part of the tree with is roots is our common Vincentian spirituality and charism, and each branch represents an individual Congregation or Association. That is why we often use the word branches, having in mind the beautiful symbol of a tree.
The Vincentian Family, this lovely tree, has being growing throughout the years, and continues to do so. Upon discovery of new Congregations and Lay Associations that are living and carrying out the Vincentian spirituality and charism, we invite them to join the Vincentian Family, adding new growth to this ever-larger tree.
Uniting groups, no matter their origin, in collaborative service is part of the Vincentian tradition. Consider the introduction to the regulations for the Ladies of Charity at the court:
The Company of the Ladies of Charity will be instituted to honor that of Our Lord and His Holy Mother and the women who followed Him, furnishing what was necessary for Him, His company, sometimes the crowds that followed Him, and poor persons. It will do so by being a patron of and assisting the Companies of the Charity of the Hotel-Dieu, the Foundlings, the convicts, the little girls of Mesdemoiselles Poulaillon and de Lestang, the poor young women serving in the Charities of the parishes, the women at the Madeleine, and all the good works instituted by women in this century.[1]
Recently, in many countries of Central and South America, so-called Vincentian Confraternities have started to emerge, such as the Confraternity of Vincentian Lawyers, Vincentian Teachers, Vincentian Translators, Vincentian Specialists in the area of Communications, etc. They bring together other persons who live the same spirituality and charism and feel part of the Vincentian Family. The service of the poor unites them.
The structured groups of Women’s and Men’s Congregations, and Lay Associations presently number 165. In addition, many other people, attracted and inspired by the person of Saint Vincent de Paul and the other Saints, Blessed, and Servants of God of the Vincentian Family, do not belong officially to any of its branches. They are drawn to the Vincentian spirituality and charism through books, articles, the internet, radio, television, and social media. They would like to further their knowledge of the Vincentian way of thinking, speaking, and living, thus becoming active participants in the spirit of Saint Vincent de Paul, having the right to be called “Vincentians.” Already, a large number of persons who do not belong specifically to any group, because of their way of living out their lives, serving, thinking, speaking, and acting, embody the Vincentian spirit and charism. Here I see the further development of the Vincentian Family and this wonderful Vincentian Tree into what is becoming a so-called “Vincentian Family Movement.”
What instruments can we use or are we already using to offer to the structured groups, as well as those persons who do not belong to any group within the Vincentian Family, spiritual encounters and courses in Vincentian formation, involving them actively in different initiatives and projects within the Vincentian Family?
In many parts of the world, this is already a reality or is slowly becoming one. Teachers; professors; families of students in Vincentian schools, colleges, universities; alumni of these different institutions; hospital and health center workers; other members of the staff with their families; social workers; parishioners from Vincentian parishes, and individuals, through the different means of communication or otherwise, are getting to know the Vincentian way. The international website of the Vincentian Family, famvin.org, already has many materials in the area of formation in Vincentian spirituality and charism. Likewise, other websites within the Vincentian Family offer similar formation resources through social media to anyone in any part of the world.
Many Women’s and Men’s Congregations are forming the lay staff in their respective institutions to continue the Vincentian spirit and charism. When the time comes that the sisters, brothers, and priests leave a school, college, hospital, health center, etc., the lay collaborators will be ready to continue the education, health, and social service in the Vincentian tradition.
In addition to all the above-mentioned persons, there are many other groups or individuals living out the Vincentian spirituality and charism but not always linked to the Vincentian Family, this beautiful tree! How can we help them?
This is the second part of this year’s title for the Feast of Saint Vincent de Paul, to organize “Vincentian Centers of Spirituality and Formation” in the different countries in the world where the Vincentian Family is present. In some countries, such Vincentian Centers of Spirituality and Formation already exist, or different branches offer courses in this area already.
Contacting the already-existing centers would allow us to learn what materials are available on the level of the whole Vincentian Family. We then can invite other countries and areas to open Vincentian Centers of Spirituality and Formation where they do not exist, sharing together the abundant materials already prepared for such centers.
Saint Vincent stressed the need to be formed in order to form others, telling a confrere:
I praise God for the number of priests the Bishop of … is sending you. You will have plenty of them if you take the trouble to form them in the true spirit of their state, which consists especially in the interior life and the practice of prayer and the virtues. It is not enough to teach them chant, ceremonies, and a little moral theology; what is important is to form them to solid piety and devotion. To do that, Monsieur, we must be the first to be filled with the above, for it would be almost useless to instruct them on these things without giving the example. We must be full reservoirs in order to let our water spill out without becoming empty, and we must possess the spirit with which we want them to be animated, for no one can give what he does not have.[2]
In the month of November, the Vincentian Family Executive Committee is going to discuss this topic during its annual meeting in Rome.
I would like to encourage all the international, national, and regional leaders of the structured branches of this beautiful tree called the Vincentian Family to invite as many members as possible of the Confraternities and the collaborators who do not belong to any specific group to participate in the different events that will be organized in the various countries throughout the month of September.
Please send us pictures and videos of the various celebrations you organized throughout the Vincentian month of September, or short articles about them, to these two email addresses, and we will try to share the information through different means of communication.
May Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Saint Vincent de Paul and all the Saints, Blessed, and Servants of God of the Vincentian Family, intercede before Jesus for us all!
Your brother in Saint Vincent,
Tomaž Mavrič, CM
[1] CCD XIIIb, 441, document 199, Regulations for the Ladies of Charity at the Court (Between 1640 and 1649). CCD refers to the collection, Vincent de Paul, Correspondence, Conferences, Documents, translated and edited by Jacqueline Kilar, DC; and Marie Poole, DC; et al; annotated by John W. Carven, CM; New City Press, Brooklyn and Hyde Park, 1985-2014; volume XIIIb, p. 441 (hereafter, CCD, followed by the volume, then page number).
[2] CCD IV, 570; letter 1623, to a Seminary Director.
PDF – Letter from Fr. Tomaž Mavrič, CM, on the Occasion of the Feast of St. Vincent de Paul 2022
Greetings!
The International Board of Directors met in Paris on September 10 to discuss a number of important issues for the International Confederation of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. The event was held in the Ozanam Room, which is located in the Motherhouse of the Lazarist Fathers (Congregation of the Mission) in the Vincentian capital of the world.
This time, the 16th President General, brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, invited 12 young people, members of the International Vice-Presidency for Youth, Children and Adolescents, to attend the meeting. These same young people were gathered in a workshop held from September 7 to 9, at the same location.
The meeting started with opening prayers, followed by special intentions, such as the end of the war in Ukraine, the canonization of Ozanam, young people, and the election for the presidency of the General Council. Fr. Andrés Motto (CM) presented a beautiful spiritual reading on the theme “Poverty, faith and prophetism”. The minutes of the previous meeting, held on June 5, 2022, were approved, as well as the economic and financial reports.
The President General reported on the latest activities carried out, letters sent, his participation in recent events and scheduled missionary trips. Following this, the other Board members presented their reports, and proposed some new actions. One of the highlights was the “All Africa Assembly”, which took place in Nairobi (Kenya) last June, which obtained excellent results based on the seven resolutions approved by the 41 national presidents.
During the meeting, a fixed annual allowance was approved for the institutional activities that the General Council conducts at the United Nations in New York, with the support of the Archdiocesan Council of New York. Also voted was a “Memorandum of Understanding” to be signed with Depaul International, a Vincentian Family member very present in Ukraine. The MOU will help the SSVP in the humanitarian action that is being done in that very suffering region of the planet.
It was also approved that the 2nd Workshop of Territorial Delegates for Formation will be held in Madrid (Spain) on November 3 and 4, with the aim of modernizing the global Vincentian formation. The winners of the Contest “First Conference – Le Taillandier” were announced. The complete story has already been published on the General Council’s web site. The Board also approved the proposed text of the new Brazilian Rule, with the President General’s favorable vote, which will receive final approval on December 15, when the Permanent Section meets.
Another important issue was the General Assembly to be held in Rome, June 12-18, 2023, when two documents will be introduced: “Global Report” (containing information about the SSVP in all countries) and the “Guide for the Rejuvenation of Vincentian Conferences”. During the assembly, a unique moment in the history of SSVP, the election for the 17th President General will be held, in addition to voting on
minor updates of the International Statutes of our Confederation. There will also be a meeting of the Portuguese-speaking countries two days before the Assembly.
After these activities, everyone went to the Chapel of St. Vincent de Paul, where the body of the Father of Charity rests, for the celebration of Mass (valid for Sunday), presided by Father Andrés Motto, International Spiritual Advisor.
“I was extremely happy with the results of the meeting of our Board of Directors, which took place in an atmosphere of cordiality and fraternity. Many subjects were discussed and approved, with freedom among all the members. The presence of young Vincentians stirred us all, and I want to register here my satisfaction in having them with us, asking intelligent and very appropriate questions. I am sure that future Presidents General and many national presidents will come out of this crop of young
territorial delegates”, exhorted President Lima de Oliveira.
Accompanying us at the Board meeting was the Ozanam TV team, which was in Paris to record the Christmas message of the Council General International for 2022, and also to produce a short documentary about the International Thematic Year of Jules Devaux (2021), whose tomb could only be visited in September 2022, due to the pandemic.
According to the International Rule of the SSVP, the Board of the Council General must meet at least three times a year (article 3.16.1). The next session will be held in virtual format on December 3. For 2023, in view of the end of the current mandate under the leadership of brother Renato, only one meeting will be organized on February 25, with the others in September and December, by members of the new Board.
Ozanam Day
The day before, September 9, everyone was deeply moved. Members of the Board of Directors and the territorial youth delegates attended the Holy Mass in the Church of Saint Joseph of Mount Carmel, where the crypt of Blessed Antony-Frederic Ozanam is located. The celebration was presided by Father Jacques Germaix (Congregation of the Religious of Saint Vincent de Paul – RSV), followed by a prayer at the tomb. The event was coordinated by the Central Council of Paris, whose president is the dynamic brother Jérôme Perrin.
The three day The National Council of India AGM started in a grand manner at Kollam
This August gathering was adorned by Special Guest Bro. Peter Keshwar, National President of South Africa and our beloved Spiritual Advisor Rev. FR. AROKIA JEYAKUMAR, Board Members, Managing Committee members, Regional Committee and the Presidents of all the Central Councill across India.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1 – What’s the theme?
Quality education
2 – What purpose?
Receive a proposal for a Social Project focused on Quality Education. Just general ideas.
3 – Who can participate?
Young Vincentians (from the SSVP) from 18 to 35 years of age
4 – Does the Project need to be ongoing?
No
5 – Does the project need to be implemented by the youth?
No
6 – What is the maximum deadline for registration?
The General Council has extended the deadline for submitting projects to October 15, 2022.
7 – What do you need to send?
Application form filled in and the idea of the Social Project prepared.
8 – Is there a Project template that can be followed?
Yes, in annex 2 of the Notice
9 – Where can I get the Notice?
By the link: https://www.ssvpglobal.org/cultural-contest-vincentian-youth-committed-to-quality-education-tofight-poverty/
10 – Where to send the application and the Project?
By email youth-contest@ssvpglobal.org
11 – What will the winner of the Contest win?
The prize will cover the travel expenses of the winner to attend the International Youth Meeting of the Vincentian Family in the city of Felgueiras, Portugal, on July 29, 30 and 31 and August 1, 2023, and the participation in the World Youth Day in the city of Lisbon, Portugal, from August 1 to 6, 2023.
The feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross celebrates two historical events: the discovery of the True Cross by Saint Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine, in 320 under the temple of Venus in Jerusalem, and the dedication in 335 of the basilica and shrine built on Calvary by Constantine, which mark the site of the Crucifixion.
The basilica, named the Martyrium, and the shrine, named the Calvarium, were destroyed by the Persians in 614. The Church of the Holy sepulcher which now stands on the site was built by the crusaders in 1149.
However the feast, more than anything else, is a celebration and commemoration of God's greatest work: his salvific death on the Cross and His Resurrection, through which death was defeated and the doors to Heaven opened.
The entrance antiphon for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is: "We should glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, for he is our salvation, our life and our resurrection: through him we are saved and made free."
Courtesy : https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/
On the feast day of Blessed Frederic Ozanam, the CGI is pleased to announce the results of the international contest for Pierre-Auguste Le Taillandie thematic year, and also that 2023 will be devoted to Jules Gossin.
The President General International, Renato Lima de Oliveira, on behalf of the Council General International, is pleased to announce the results of the 6th International Literary Contest “the First Conference – International Thematic Year of Pierre-Auguste Le Taillandier”.
Contest Results Pierre-Auguste Le Taillandier 2022
The SSVP’s Council General International will also grant an equivalent amount to the Conference to which the author of the work belongs. The money granted to the Conference will be fully allocated to social work, activities or projects carried out by the Conference, represented by its President.
We congratulate all the participants and all those who have helped to organise this Contest. “The Organising Committee is impressed with the contents and presentation of the works, which are improving year after year. The Council General welcomes the interest aroused within the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in the Thematic Year project, which aims at further delving into the work produced by each of the seven young founders. The key goal is to ensure that the knowledge shared by everyone concerning the emergence of the first Conference and the subsequent development of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul has an impact, that the history of the founders is known, that it is spoken about, that it is of value as an example, especially for the young people who are attending Conferences today. The seven founders collectively created our Society.For this reason, with respect and consideration, we remember the legacy bequeathed to us.“, said our President General, Renato Lima
We would like to remind you that the upcoming 2023 International Thematic Year will be devoted to Jules Gossin. Those fellow members who are interested in taking part of the contest, which will be launched on February 8th, 2023, can start preparing their submissions.
Today, August 22, 2022, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the beatification of Antoine-Frédéric Ozanam, the contemporary saint, forerunner of the Social Doctrine of the Church, a role model as son, father, husband, professional and Catholic. Along with the SSVP, the Catholic Church and the Vincentian Family will also commemorate this major date for universal history.
In 1833, Ozanam, alongside six other French colleagues, founded the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Paris. His teachings, writings, speeches and books still exert an influence on mankind. The scope of Ozanam’s work is impressive, proof of which are the dozens of books on him written by experts, followers and devotees. We, as conference members of Saint Vincent de Paul, strive to be a mirror of Ozanam and, as friends, we keep on helping those who suffer and pursue our personal sanctification.
The case leading to his beatification was the miracle that took place in Brazil in 1926 (the cure of a child suffering from malignant diphtheria). Since then, his cause for sainthood is taking steps forward with other cases and testimonies being analyzed. Currently, the Council General International is striving to achieve his canonization, which, with God’s grace, will surely occur in the near future. Another possible miracle, also in Brazil, is being analysed by the Vatican, after many years with no news regarding the process of canonisation. In the last six years, the Council General has worked hard so that the Holy Church may proclaim Ozanam a saint.
However, far beyond a new miracle for Ozanam’s canonization, it is vital to increase a devotion to him, especially amongst us, fellow members, and also among the families assisted and the beneficiaries of our special works. Ozanam should be brought into our daily lives, praying for his intercession in simpler things such as employment, health, family, education and financial issues.
“Ozanam is the glowing light illuminating our Society. Along with the other founding fathers, he worked towards peaceful and effective solutions to social issues, bringing Lord’s Gospel everywhere, especially to the hearts of the most humble and vulnerable. Ozanam is a real example for all of us in this century. Let us pray that Ozanam’s legacy will inspire the world today. His canonization will certainly be a milestone in the SSVP’s history,” stressed our President General, fellow member Renato de Lima.
Click here to read the homily of St. John Paul II on Ozanam’s life, work and legacy.
Third anniversary celebration of Amélie Ozanam’s Birth
This year is the third edition of the International SSVP Women’s Day, set up in 2020, on 200th birth anniversary of Amélie Ozanam.
This day is celebrated in tribute to each and every SSVP woman who have taken part, and still do so today, in the ministry of Conferences, bringing their love to their neighbours and their faith to the most needy.
Amélie Ozanam, especially recalled on this day, is a clear example and a role model of selflessness, service and unconditional love for God and the mission of the SSVP, always supporting her husband to make his dream come true with his colleagues: to build a wonderful network of charity. Thanks to her, we have preserved much of Frédéric Ozanam’s legacy: his writings and documents.
There were other women who were key to the inception and expansion of the SSVP: Sister Rosalie Rendu, a Daughter of Charity who took part in the foundation of the first Conference, brought the Vincentian Charism to that conference, and taught them how to home visit the most vulnerable in the Mouffetard district (Paris).
Throughout the SSVP history, we have witnessed how the Conferences worldwide, which at the beginning, and due to the traditions of that time, were virtually made up of men, have been gradually opened up to women in all fields, thus attaining the harmony and equity according to our beliefs, as God’s offspring.
As a matter of fact, the SSVP Rule provides that “members meet as brothers and sisters with Christ in the midst of them, in Conferences that are genuine communities of faith and love, of prayer and action”, and that “the entire Society is a true and unique worldwide Community of Vincentian friends”.
An historical example of the vindication of the role of women at the SSVP is Celestina Scarabeli who, on January 10th, 1856, foudner the female branch in Bologna as a result of her fervent yearning to feel Vincentian.
Nowadays, the SSVP women are vital to the continuity of Conferences around the world. There are great testimonies of women stepping up their commitment and Vincentian mission; for instance, the International Secretary General, fellow member Marie Françoise Salesiani-Payet, the first women in the CGI’s history holding this office, being in charge of, among many other duties, the management of Paris’ international headquarters and representing our institution at the United Nations in Geneva.
On the occasion of this day, President General International stated: “I am most obliged for the work undertaken by all SSVP women, especially those taking the lead of Councils, Conferences and Special Works. My congratulations for their impressive devotion and love”.
Dear SSVP Women, best wishes on your day!
Praised be our Lord Jesus Christ! My dear members of Saint Vincent de Paul Conferences around the world, I first wish to ask for the abundant blessings of Our Lord Jesus Christ on you and for our Blessed Lady to be alongside us, particularly for those in need whom our Society helps, whether in special works or in the action of the Conferences.
I am very pleased to be writing to you all again, members of the Vincentian Conferences around the world, and the many branches of the Vincentian Family, for the seventh time since I was elected the 16th President General of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, with this Circular Letter for 2022, the themed year of our co-founder, Pierre-Auguste Le Taillandier.
It has been the custom since 1841 for the Presidents General of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul to write Circular Letters addressed directly to the members, covering important matters on the Vincentian agenda, or for support in improving the work of the Conferences, special works Social and Councils. Indeed, the Presidents General’s letters are very valuable training & formation materials for all our members.
It is a very special, unique and magic moment for me to write the Circular Letter. It involves days and days of inspiration, consultation, prayer and drafting texts, which are closely intertwined with the wishes, longings and requests of the SSVP for the world. Some content comes from the connections I make during international journeys, but, above all, it comes from the free, fraternal and democratic dialogue I have with the members.
Writing the Circular letter is a gift from God in my life. Knowing that this text will be remembered, after many years, even though it is a snapshot of the present time, and that it will be used for research by many people, is a huge honour and privilege. Weighing my words, rewriting the sentences over and over, criticising myself freely, in order to create a solid, but also light text, whose balance is not always easy to find.
I hope that everyone can reflect on the chapters of this circular letter, and provide comments, criticisms and suggestions by e-mail: cgi.circularletter@gmail.com. Enjoy your reading!
r-carta-circular-en.pdf (ssvpglobal.org)
The Council General International is extremely pleased to announce that has been discovered a treasure: a copy of the book Impressions, Memories and Regrets, written in 1836 by co-founder Pierre-Emmanuel-Félix Clavé (1811-1853).
The publication was found by sister Pattie Hughes, while researching Clavé in the library of the State University of New York at Stony Brook (United States). Pattie is a member of the United Nations Department within the Council General and became more interested in Clavé’s life and work when an international essay contest about him was held in 2020.
“From the moment the President General asked me, I started looking for possible references of this book in American universities. For several months, I made frequent contact with numerous libraries. And God heard our prayers! With the help of friends working in Stony Brook, we were able to locate Clavé’s book of poems, a true rarity and, above all, a historical document for our beloved SSVP,” stressed sister Pattie.
The book of poems has 180 pages and was printed in Paris on January 20, 1836. With 17 chapters, the work portrays remarkable moments in Clavé’s life, such as his first communion, childhood and youth memories, sentimental affairs, bitterness and hopes, besides a part dedicated especially to the Virgin Mary and faith in Christ.
Clavé’s book of poetry was highly praised by Ozanam, and also by an academic critic who expressed himself thus in the magazine “Catholic University”, published by the Catholic Institute of Paris in 1836: “The book before us gives us more than hope. Few hands have offered such a brilliant literary beginning. This little book will be reread at various times, and many of its verses will remain in the memory of the heart”.
Besides this publication, Clavé is the author of several other books, among which we can highlight: The Question of Mexico (1845), The Island of Cuba and Commercial Freedom in the Colonies (1847) and The Extraordinary History of Pope Pius IX (1848). Clavé was also a collaborator to the Paris-based “Two Worlds” Magazine, one of France’s most famous publications, which exists to this day.
“Clavé was a very cultured, studious and polyglot man. The more we know his biography, the more we discover the virtues of this man of God, who founded the Conference of Charity in 1833 with Ozanam and other friends. Clavé was an honorable person who never renounced his faith, despite all the insults and calumnies he suffered. He was a man of great valor, full of the Holy Spirit. Without him, the SSVP would not be the same,” emphasized the 16th President General, brother Renato Lima de Oliveira.
The copy of the book found in New York has already been sent to the international headquarters in Paris (France), and another one to the Council General’s office in Brasilia (Brazil). There is also another copy available at the National Library in Paris. As there is no copyright on this work, everyone can read this very interesting book of poems written in French by cofounder brother Félix Clavé. Just click below:
https://www.ssvpglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/souvenirs-clave.pdf
Source: SSVP Global Website
Registration until June 10th. Only 30 vacancies available.
A praiseworthy initiative, fully supported by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP): The Congregation of the Mission (CM), whose Superior General is our beloved Father Tomaz Mavric, has announced a MASTER’S DEGREE IN VINCENTIAN STUDIES, an online course taught by experts, whose academic accreditation will be granted by the University of Deusto (Bilbao, Spain).
In the letter submitted to all Vincentian branches, Father Tomaz explains that there are only 30 vacancies for the first edition of this Master’s degree, from September 2021 to July 2023, which will be taught in Spanish. Candidates shall hold an official university degree, with a Spanish B2 level (CEFR). The Master’s degree amounts to 800€, which can be paid in monthly installments. The deadline for applications is June 10th, 2021. New editions will be offered for the upcoming years in other languages (French and English).
“We would like to praise this initiative launched by the CM, because every financial effort in education is welcome when it comes to enhancing the Vincentian work. We must fight so that both children and young people from vulnerable families have access to education; moreover, we must fight for boosting the education of members of the Vincentian Family, who need the know-how to better serve those in need,” said brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, 16th President General of the SSVP.
The course seeks to provide “a path that will enable them to study Vincentian history and spirituality”, and the tools for a more committed Vincentian service to the poor. The studies program throughout the four semesters of the course includes the following topics: “Life and work of Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac”, “Origins of Vincentian establishments”, “Christology”, “Vincentian Theology and Spirituality”, “Theology of Holiness”, “the Vincentian Charism” and “Social Doctrine of the Church”.
“This is a golden opportunity to deepen their understanding of our spirituality and to share it with the various Vincentian groups. In the Church, such treasures should not be buried in the ground, but should be made known to everyone. This Master’s degree in Vincentian Studies is an opportunity to do just that”, Father Tomaz emphasized. The Course Coordinator is Father Corpus Delgado, from the International Secretary of Vincentian Studies (SIEV). For further information: siev@cmglobal.org
Superior General's Letter: https://www.ssvpglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2021-05-17-l-sg-ai-leader-fv-master-in-vincenzianesimo-eng.pdf
Conditions to apply: https://www.ssvpglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/info-master-en.pdf
Crónicas vicentinas 5 (The Vincentian Chronicles 5), written by our 16th President General, brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, has just been launched. The fifth book of this series is only available in Portuguese.
Since 2006, when the first book was published, the author has specialized in chronicles, a style of writing which consists of analysing everyday life by means of short texts. The books are primarily resources to enhance the SSVP members’ formation.
The book is made up of 84 articles on spirituality, divided into seven chapters that make reference to the seven founders of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul:
The articles can be read as a spiritual guide at Vincentian meetings in Conferences and Councils, and can also be used by the Vincentian Family. The foreword was written by the President of the National Council in Brazil, brother Cristian Reis da Luz.
“I would like to thank my friends who have always prompted me to share my Vincentian experiences by means of chronicles, especially to the Brazilian brother Gesiel Júnior, who has always believed in this literary project,” emphasized President Lima de Oliveira.
The first edition will be entirely distributed in Brazil; subsequent editions, to other Portuguese-speaking countries of the world: Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe, Guinea-Bissau, East Timor and Cape Verde. The book is not under copyright, so it can be translated by National Councils at their discretion.
In Brazil, all proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to an elderly care home which has been operating for over 100 years, located in Luziania, near Brasilia, where the President General lives.
Source: https://www.ssvpglobal.org/the-president-general-launches-his-fifth-book-on-spiritual-readings/
On May 16th, 2021, the CGI’s International Territorial Vice Presidents (ITVPs) took part in a special formation initiative on the “13 Houses” Campaign, organised by the FamVin Homeless Alliance.
The purpose of this event was to provide more information about the aims of the initiative, and its progress in various parts of the world, to make the SSVP’s Territorial Vice Presidents aware of the spread and impact of the projects carried out in the various countries.
This initiative for homeless people is intended to improve (and transform) the lives of 10,000 homeless people worldwide, via projects carried out in each of the 156 countries where the Vincentian Family operates. This campaign was inspired by the action of Saint Vincent de Paul, who built 13 houses around Saint-Lazare, the mother house of the Congregation of the Mission (CM), to care for abandoned children. One of the pillars of this initiative is the collaboration among the various branches of the Vincentian Family in planning and implementation of the projects.
During the presentations, Vincentian Family coordinators highlighted the importance of the SSVP’s action in this initiative, as it is the largest branch of FamVin. The Territorial Vice Presidents were asked to foster SSVP participation in every country, especially to identify projects which are underway or already completed, and which have not yet been reported to the general campaign coordinators.
In addition to the requirements needed to implement the projects, photographs were shown of the various actions carried out around the world, many of them with the effective participation of the SSVP. Throughout the presentations, the Territorial Vice Presidents could also ask questions and clarify any points about the initiative and the details of its funding.
At the end of the formation session, the 16th President General International, Renato Lima de Oliveira, thanked the organisers for preparing the presentations, and ensured them that the SSVP is fully involved in this global Vincentian Family initiative, expressing his wish for the Society to carry out projects of this kind in every country where it is present.
“The SSVP is the largest and most influential branch of our Family. We need you to ensure this project moves forward. You have the tradition, the knowledge, capability, resources and an incredible number of members who will help the Vincentian Family reduce the number of homeless people throughout the world,” said the Vincentian Mark McGreevy, leader of the Alliance.
Article written by Julio Lima, ITVP, America 3
Source: https://www.ssvpglobal.org/itvps-take-part-in-a-special-meeting-about-the-13-houses-campaign/
Installation of XIV National President - National Council of India
This year, the Council General requests Conferences to give greater visibility to Vincentian Charity
The WORLD DAY OF THE POOR will be held on 15 November 2020 on the theme “Stretch forth your hand to the poor” (Sir 7, 32), drawn from the message written by his Holiness Pope Francis (link to the message is provided below). The World Day of the Poor, established by the Vatican in 2016, is celebrated on the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Pope Francis published his message and called on people to “stretch forth their hand to the poor”, and warned against “cynicism” and “indifference” of those whose hands are outstretched to accumulate money by the sale of weapons and drugs. “In these months, when the whole world was prey to a virus that brought pain and death, despair and bewilderment, how many outstretched hands have we seen!” said Pope Francis, drawing attention to the actions of solidarity throughout the world to help those most affected by dire poverty.
Pope Francis also commended the outstretched hands of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, volunteers or priests, who have given of themselves day and night amidst the pandemic and have defied contagion and fear to offer support and consolation. He also criticized those who prefer to keep their hands in their pockets and to remain unmoved by situations of poverty in which they are often complicit.
Pope Francis laments the frenetic pace of life that leads people, who turn a blind eye on poverty, into a “whirlwind of indifference”, but praises the “generosity that supports the weak […], a condition for full human life”. Pope Francis also acknowledged that the Church certainly has no comprehensive solutions to “the silent cry of so many poor”; it’s possible, though, to do much more for the poorest.
Even in times of pandemic, we, as members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, can celebrate the WORLD DAY OF THE POOR in a creative and efficient way. One suggestion would be to get closer to lay ecclesial movements in each parish, with fund-raising campaigns for Conferences (food and hygiene kits, which are essential in these times).
Another idea would be to offer a greater visibility of the SSVP on the parishes’ and dioceses’ media, while liaising with companies, the government and the mass media, and showcasing the social work of Conferences and Special Works. At the end of the Mass, on 15 November, it would be worthwhile for the Conference President to disseminate the Vincentian mission, vision and values, prompting new members to join the Conferences.
“In any case, the most important thing is to be witnesses of Christ’s love for the most needy, living out the Gospel message, in community, serving Christ in the poor with love, respect, justice and empathy. Simply with our good deeds, we can do a lot for the poor”, stressed our fellow member Renato Lima, the 16th President General.
As we ponder on 2020’s WORLD DAY OF THE POOR, amidst this health crisis, it must be acknowledged that global extreme poverty is on the rise, with people becoming unemployed and mental health cases increasing significantly. The pandemic has also been a hard blow for the world economy and countries’ wealth, having a devastating impact on families, particularly on young people. The education world has also been turned upside down, with millions of children missing out on school.
Faced with this hostile context, the WORLD DAY OF THE POOR is a great challenge for all of us, as members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Let us pray that the Good Lord will protect us and help us overcome these difficult times. “Sharing with the poor means mutual enrichment. If there are unhealthy social structures that prevent them from dreaming of the future, we must work together to heal them, to change them.” (Evangelii Gaudium: Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis, 2013, no 195).
Our founders taught us that we need to reassess our actions by better reallocating our resources, avoiding hoarding, relaxing our internal rules and mobilizing our human and material heritage, to serve the poorest with joy and no complaints, and love them without judgment, bringing the “Gospel of Hope” to everyone.
Message of Pope Francis for World Poor Day
Source: CGI Website https://www.ssvpglobal.org/the-ssvp-and-the-world-day-of-the-poor/
The “Corrientensis” Resolution dated November 13th, 1920
The Bishop of the Diocese of Corrientes (Argentina), Msgr. Luis María Niella (photo), submitted a query to the Holy See, concerning the relationship of the Ordinary with SSVP Conferences, and the appropriateness for them to be independent from its authority, since he found no basis for this in the new Code, and because there was a debate about the administration of SSVP assets in Corrientes.
The Council’s Sacred Congregation issued a decree recognising the autonomy of the SSVP’s decisions and the rights of association. This resolution, called “Corrientensis”, dated November 13th, 1920, is now 100 years old.
The text goes as follows: “Insofar as an association does not owe its existence to the Church, nor is recognised for legal purposes by the Church, neither can it be governed or led by the ecclesiastical authority, but only by the laity appointed in its own statutes. Among these associations, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (or Vincentian Conferences) stands out in recent times for its renown and its example”.
With the 100th anniversary of this recognition by the Holy See regarding our autonomy in government and administration, it must be acknowledged that there is a close and healthy relationship between the Conferences and the Church. The SSVP liaises with and is part of the Church, through its identity, charism and organisation, as stated in Art. 5.2 of the Rule. “The Society is legally autonomous as to its existence, constitution, organisation, rules, activities and internal government. Members freely choose their own officers and manage the Society’s activities and assets with full autonomy, in accordance with their own Statutes and the legislation in effect in each country.”
Today, with great pleasure, the International Confederation of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, represented by its Council General International, is very close to the Church life. The SSVP is a member of two official bodies at the Vatican, with a seat and a vote on each: “Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life”, and “Dicastery for Service of Integral Human Development”. We are also in permanent touch with the “Dicastery for Communications” and the “Congregation for the Causes of the Saints” for our fellow members, whose exemplary lives are being examined for canonisation, including our beloved Blessed Frédéric Ozanam.
Our President General, Renato Lima de Oliveira, states that “the autonomy recognised by the Church should be regarded as an asset when it comes to electing officials, to preserving our heritage and to observing the procedures, rules or regulations of our institution. As for doctrinal, spiritual and liturgical matters, we shall blithely abide by the decisions taken by the Church and the Holy Father. In view of all this, our autonomy entails responsibility, balance and cooperation.
The Council General requests that this text should be widely disseminated in each country for reading and reflection by each Conference of the Society.
Sources: CGI Websire
Easter Message by Bro. Dr. Johnson Varghese, President, National Council of India
The 65th Annual General Meeting to be held on 16th - 18th, August 2019 at Muvattupuzha, Kerala. This time Kothamangalam Central Council is the host CC for the meeting. With lots of preparation and understading, AGM is going to be taken forward for the betterment of the SSVP in India
1st Young Vincentian Leaders Workshop held at Chennai on 8th - 9th December 2018