27/12/2022
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.