Vincentian Family historic meeting in Germantown January 6-7.
Can you imagine being at a family gathering planning to celebrate a 400th Anniversary? How many of us can trace our roots back 400 years?
How about adding to that the direct successors of two saints, St. Vincent de Paul (Patron Saint of Charitable Works) and St. Louise de Marillac (Patron Saint of Social Workers).
Fr. Tomaž Mavrič, CM, Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission, and Sr. Kathleen Appler, DC, Superior General of the Daughters of Charity, are the direct successors of these two saints. Yet they are part of a larger Vincentian Family which contains more than 200 branches who currently serve in 150 countries across the globe. Together they certainly breathe life into the dream of the founder of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Frederick Ozanam, who dreamt of “circling the globe with a band of charity.”
For the first time, the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Vincentian Family is being held outside of Europe. With the assistance of a team of trained translators, they will focus on issues of collaboration for more effective evangelization and service of those in need. The meeting will take place in the newly-created office space on the grounds of St. Vincent’s Seminary, whose offices are adjacent to the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal in Germantown. The property also has a more than 100-year-old oak tree grown from a seed of St. Vincent’s oak which still stands near his birthplace. The property houses the Provincial headquarters of the Vincentians of the Eastern Province.
2016 Vincentian Family Executive Team Meeting
The group, whose membership consists of a core group of four branches and a rotating group of three branches, meets annually. The core group contains the three branches directly founded by Sts. Vincent and Louise, viz. the first foundation known nationally as the Ladies of Charity and internationally as the AIC, the Congregation of the Mission, and the Daughters of Charity, as well as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, founded 200 years ago.
Presently the current rotating branches are: the Sisters of Charity Federation of Strasbourg, the Brothers of the Congregation of Mary Mother of Mercy (CMM), and the Sisters of Charity Federation of North America. Each Vincentian Family Executive Committee member branch is represented by two people: the international leader of that branch and an assistant of his or her own choosing.
This year marks not only the 400th Anniversary of Vincent’s first foundation but follows upon last year’s 200th Anniversary of the arrival of the Vincentians or Congregation of the Mission in the United States.
The Vincentian Family began 400 years ago with the collaboration of two saints, St. Vincent de Paul, Patron Saint of Works of Charity, and St. Louise de Marillac, Patron Saint of Social Workers.
They never imagined that 400 years later their influence would be the powerful force for evangelization and relief of those on the margins of society worldwide.
The Vincentian Family Office, as a function of the Vincentian Family Executive Committee, coordinates activities, provides information, and delivers formation experiences on the heritage and charism of St. Vincent de Paul to the branches of the Vincentian Family (VF) throughout the world.
This includes promoting communication and collaboration among the various branches of the Vincentian Family, as well as opportunities for leadership to meet and to develop ways to work together.
For more information on the Vincentian Family, visit famvin.org. See also the Vincentian Family Office at http://famvin.org/vfo-en/.
Kudos! I share your joy of God’s rich blessings upon the Vincentian family. Indeed,it’s refreshing to know how the Congregation of the Mission has come together with many others possessing the charisma of Saint Vincent de Paul. Our Lord,Saint Vincent,St. Louise,St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and the heavenly company must be glad that you are a dynamic force of grace in behalf of God’s poor people. The Holy Spirit seems to empower you in these days when many fail to hear the cries of pain emanating from those who suffer. Just know that Jo and I pray often and I ask God to protect and continue to strengthen each one of you,whether you are formally in the religious life or among the many lay servants in the Vincentian family.
Ed Ambrose
St. Joe’s,AA.1957
Caríssimos vicentinos;
O que posso dizer neste momento à equipa executivo da Família Vicentina, é saudar-vos com carinho e desejo que que Deus vos dê saúde, que o vosso trabalho seja bem realizado de forma a que os Ramos da Família Vicentina, seja bem sucedido.
Agora com o novo presidente do Conselho Geral Internacional Confrade Renato Lima possa haver um intercâmbio do conhecimento e formação, também agora, no idioma Português.
Os países (Portugal, Brasil, Guiné-Bissau, Moçambique, Angola, Timor-Leste, Cavo-Verde e São Tomé e Príncipe), falam o mesmo idioma são à volta de
272 milhões de pessoas, não contando com os emigrantes espalhados pelo 5 continentes.
Portanto, os Portugueses, finalmente tem esperança de conhecer melhor a família vicentina com o propósito de existir trabalhos no idioma Português.
Embora muitos tenham conhecimento que Portugal e Espanha fizeram parte da Península ibérica, Portugal desde 1140 é uma nação independente, com uma história de descobrimentos aqui e além mar. Mesmo a nação hoje independente Goa-Damão e Diu, foi governado por Portugal.
Depois deste breve resumo, ficarei grato para que Portugal, por onde passou S. V. Paulo a caminho de Espanha fique conhecido e seja colocado no centro do conhecimento e partilha de informação e formação junto dos seu vicentinos, católicos fervorosos. Terra em que 2017 Sua santidade Papa Francisco se deslocará em Maio para comemorar os 100 anos da aparição de Nossa Senhora aos Pastorinhos de Fátima .
As minhas saudações vicentinas
Presidente do Conselho de Zona Gaia norte da S.S.V.P.
TRADUÇÃO PARA INGLÊS:
Dear Vincentians;
What I can say at this moment to the executive team of the Vincentian Family is to greet you with affection and desire that God give you health, that your work be well done so that the Branches of the Vincentian Family will succeed.
Now with the new president of the International General Council Confrade Renato Lima there can be an exchange of knowledge and training, also now, in the Portuguese language.
The countries (Portugal, Brazil, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Angola, Timor-Leste, Cavo-Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe) speak the same language around
272 million people, not counting the emigrants spread across 5 continents.
Therefore, the Portuguese finally hope to know better the Vincentian family with the purpose of having work in the Portuguese language.
Although many are aware that Portugal and Spain were part of the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal since 1140 is an independent nation with a history of discoveries here and beyond. Even the now independent Goa-Daman and Diu nation, was ruled by Portugal.
After this brief summary, I will be grateful that Portugal, where St. V. Paul passed on his way to Spain, will be known and placed at the center of knowledge and sharing of information and formation with his fervent Catholics. Earth in 2017 His Holiness Pope Francis will travel in May to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady to the Shepherds of Fatima.
My greetings from Vincentian
President of the Gaia Zona Norte Council of S.S.V.P.