January 14, 2018 marks the104th World Day of Migrants and Refugees January 14, 2018. (Yes, this is the 104th time the Popes have drawn our attention to migrants and refugees.) In his previously released address to mark the occasion, Pope Francis stressed four verbs – “welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating migrants and refugees”

In his talk to 11,000 members of the Vincentian Family gathered in St. Peter’s Square he focused on three verbs – to adore, welcome and go and welcome the stranger..

How seriously are we “Welcoming the Stranger? To be more specific… How seriously are the men and women in the various ministries of the Eastern Province taking the call of Pope Francis as well as the leaders for the Vincentian Family to welcome the stranger?

With this in mind we, Vincentians of the Eastern Province of the USA, began a series of articles to find out.

Welcoming the Stranger with Pope Francis

How seriously are we welcoming the stranger?

Welcoming the Stranger Vincentian Style in Our Lady of Guadalupe

Welcoming the Stranger in St. Vincent’s Parish, Philadelphia

A seminarian’s Experience of Coming Home and Community of Service 

Finding the Face of God in Prison

Over the coming months, we will tell the story of our experiences in Panama and elsewhere in the United States.

We hope sharing some of what we are will inspire you to join with us by offering your Time, Talent or Treasure.

We also hope you will view our new video We are Vincentians. Within approximately the first 72 hours after it appeared on Facebook at received 19,000 views.