Online Formation Session by SSVP Guatemala for Conferences

President General was the guest speaker

On July 24th, Guatemala’s National Council organized a Special Afternoon Formation Session, attended by fellow member Renato Lima de Oliveira, the 16th President General of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

The session, virtually held via Meet video conferencing, was officially inaugurated by the National President, sister Patrícia Hidalgo. The formation session was delivered to members from the 15 Vincentian Conferences in Guatemala.

The spiritual reading, taken from Psalm 11, was given by sister Alícia Morataya, DC. Then, the floor was given to fellow member Renato Lima, who delivered a light-hearted presentation analyzing his 5-year term of office at the Council General International. 

Renato Lima’s presentation was followed by a Q&A session on a myriad of topics: Ozanam’s canonisation process, twinning (international relief aid), the pandemic, youth, relations with the Church and ways to enhance the ministry provided to the poor. 

“It was a pleasant and fruitful session, and I took the chance to emphasize the key role of the Council General as the upholder of the Rule and the guarantor of unity within our Society. I liked the questions raised, which gave rise to an open and generous dialogue”, remarked fellow member Renato Lima. 

The session was also attended by sister Carmen Guzmán (International Territorial Vice President for America 2) and Vincentians from other countries, such as Mexico, Brazil and Argentina.