Christmas Message 2020

My dear brothers and sisters, members of SSVP 

And friends of the Vincentian Family,

Merry Christmas!

The angel said to Mary: “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High […] his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1, 30-33)

The angel’s announcement to Our Lady is the certainty that Jesus, our redeemer, has come to bring salvation to all who believe in God and in Christ’s message.

As Vincentians, we can never lose faith and hope that, with Christ, we will overcome all the difficulties that may arise in our journey, in this life.

Our Vincentian Conferences, together with our Councils and social works, have endeavoured to serve, with love and dedication, the most disadvantaged and vulnerable, seeking to help them to surmount the problems they encounter in life.

Dear brothers, dear sisters,

This year has been very difficult due to the health crisis that has affected all continents. And that is precisely why we will be celebrating Christmas in 2020 with much more vigour and enthusiasm.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the figure of the poor sufferer, expects from us a truly more fraternal service of charity, bringing material bread together with spiritual bread to the needy, no matter where or how. 

Therefore, we wish all the SSVP members and our friends from the Vincentian Family throughout the world a HAPPY and HOLY CHRISTMAS from the Lord, as a family, spreading peace and harmony around us, and proclaiming that Christ is the living gift of God for humanity.

May 2021 – International Year of Jules Devaux – represent a moment of rebirth, of regain and renewal, in the hope of building a more just and united society.

These are the wishes of the President General and the Council General for all of you. 

Happy 2021!

Renato Lima de Oliveira

16º President General

PGI’s Christmas Message in Chinese