Over 1,200 Vincentians gather in Barretos to reaffirm their commitment to service

On Sunday 27 April 2025, the city of Barretos, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, hosted the 7th Vincentian Vocational Revival (Reviv), a gathering that brought together more than 1,200 members of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul from various regions of the Metropolitan Council of São José do Rio Preto.

Held at the Berrantão venue, within the Parque do Peão, the event was themed “Visit and Conference, the essence of our vocation”, highlighting the importance of home visits, friendship, and community life as pillars of Vincentian charism. The day featured moments of spirituality, formation, music, testimonies, theatre performances by the Children and Youth Conferences, and fraternal fellowship.

The lunch was marked by a deeply rooted Barretos tradition: the Queima do Alho, a regional dish evoking the customs of cowhands who herded cattle over long distances, prepared and served free of charge by the group “Os Independentes”.

The event concluded with a Mass celebrated by the Bishop of the Diocese of Barretos, Dom Milton Kenan Júnior, who emphasised that the Vincentian mission is an extension of the Church’s own mission: to serve Christ present in those who are poor.

According to Gabriel Uchida, coordinator of the 7th Reviv, the gathering was a true reconnection with the roots of the SSVP. “Ozanam founded the Society as a network of friends. This meeting strengthens that spirit: friendship, fraternity, mutual affection and, above all, the renewal of Vincentian charism,” he said. Uchida also highlighted that the Reviv served to encourage new people to join the SSVP’s mission: “Everyone is invited to be part of this great family that loves Jesus Christ by serving those most in need.”