President General Takes Part in Several Activities in Paris
The events took place from December 8th to 12th.
After having attended the International Board meeting in Lyon and visited the cities of Pau, Tarbes, Horgues and Lourdes, our 16th President General (PGI), brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, had an extensive work agenda in Paris, from December 8th to 12th, 2021. A brief report, written by the PGI himself, summarizing the visits, events and meetings held, is published below. Enjoy your reading!
1. Memorial Ceremony at Notre-Dame cathedral
As you all know, in 2019 a massive fire ravaged large parts of Notre-Dame cathedral. Fortunately, St. Vincent de Paul Chapel and the plaque commemorating Ozanam’s beatification were unscathed. Hence, an international fundraising scheme was launched by the Church to rebuild the cathedral. It is expected that our Council General will soon make a donation, along with the financial support sent by the countries. The close bond between Notre-Dame cathedral and our Society is clear, and it was there that, in 1997, St. John Paul II declared Ozanam Blessed. Sister Marie-Françoise and I attended the ceremony led by General Jean-Louis Georgelin, head of the public entity tasked with rebuilding the cathedral, who was appointed by French President Emmanuel Macron. The General briefed everyone on the progress made so far, and we presented him with Ozanam’s beatification medal. He told us: “When I was young, I was part of a Vincentian Conference”.
2. Sainte-Rosalie parish
We joyfully met with Fr Arnaud Mougin, priest at St Rosalie de Palermo parish, where Blessed Rosalie Rendu, Daughter of Charity, first spiritual superior at the Conference of Charity in 1833, is also worshipped. The meeting was also attended by sister Marie-Françoise Salesiani-Payet, Secretary General. This parish is less than 200 meters away from the Council General international’s headquarters. Given the geographical proximity and the close relationship with the legacy of Rosalie Rendu, Father Arnauld accepted our proposal to unveil a commemorative plaque depicting an image of Ozanam in April 2022. On Sunday, December 12th, I attended the Holy Mass and met with some members of the local Conference, which is very active and distributes, every week, food to the homeless in Paris.
3. Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal chapel
On December 8th, the feast day of the Immaculate Conception (the SSVP’s patroness), I had the joy of participating in the Holy Mass at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal chapel. After the celebration, I had a meeting with Sr. Françoise Petit, Superior General of the Company of the Daughters of Charity. We talked about common projects and the future of the Vincentian Family. I took the chance to report on the next stages of Ozanam’s canonization, with a second miracle being examined by medical experts at the Vatican. Sister Françoise was very pleased to learn about the progress of the cause. We also talked about the forthcoming meeting gathering members of the International Committee of the Vincentian Family, which is being held in January in the United States.
4. Visit to the Lazarist Fathers (Vincentians)
As usual, I visited the headquarters of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentian Fathers). I met there with the superior of the Mother House, Fr Roberto Gomez, and the CGI’s spiritual advisor, Fr Andres Motto. I presented the Congregation of the Mission with a bust of Antoine-Frédéric Ozanam. According to Fr Motto, also coordinator at the Center for International Formation (CIF) of the Vincentian Family, the bust is to be located in the new Ozanam Auditorium, which, with the financial support of our Confederation, will be renovated and expanded throughout 2022. It was agreed that, in 2022, September’s Board meeting will be held at the new auditorium, located at the CM Mother House.
5. Staff meeting
There was a fruitful staff meeting at the international headquarters. We thanked everyone for their commitment, which has resulted in the smooth running of the CGI and the attainment of the global strategic planning. “Professionalism, harmony and confidentiality are the most sought-after elements in any work environment today, and we count on your good work at all times,” I emphasized during the meeting. Our employees are very efficient, speak several languages, are knowledgeable about the Society’s values and help us immensely to ensure that the CGI pursues its role safeguarding unity and the Rule. On a weekly basis, the Secretary General meets with the staff, always complying with Covid-19 safety and health protocols established by the French government.
6. Lunch with Philippe Menet
I had the joy of meeting my dear brother Philippe Menet, aged 87, who has written several books and articles on the history of our Society and the seven founders. In Menet’s words: “Charity arises from our faith. The stronger the faith, the better Vincentians we will be.”. During the meeting, I learned a lot from this great friend, a great researcher who is brimming with enthusiasm for the SSVP. “My father introduced me to our Society. Since then, I have sought to serve God through charity,” said our beloved writer. This year, brother Menet has produced a novena dedicated to Ozanam, which was disseminated by the Council General International on the feast day of our main founder. To my friend Philippe Menet, thank you very much for your company and your teachings.
7. Visit to the Religious of St Vincent de Paul
Upon Brother Claudiney Ribeiro’s invitation, I participated in the Holy Mass at Our Lady of Grace church and visited the student residence of the Congregation of the Religious of St. Vincent de Paul (RSV), a Vincentian branch founded in 1845 by Le Prevost, Clément Myionnet and Maurice Maignen. I visited all the facilities of the building and was impressed by the social work -especially that related to sports- that the Congregation does for the community. I was welcomed by several members of the Congregation (Father Noël Nana, Father Louis N’Djore and Brother Patrick Gotillot), who were pleased to hear about the institutional cooperation agreement signed by the SSVP and the RSV. In April, on my next trip to Paris, I will be visiting other parishes run by the RSV. In May, at the invitation of the RSV’s Secretary General, Fr Yvon Sabourin, I will be giving a talk on the common roots of both institutions.
8. Interview on KTO Catholic TV Channel
At the invitation of journalist Stéphanie Dupasquier, I gave an interview on KTO TV channel, the most important French-speaking Catholic TV channel, with a wide audience in France, all over Europe and in the French-speaking countries of the world. During the 30-minute special interview, I answered questions regarding the Vincentian charism, the SSVP’s mission and values, the challenges of youth, Ozanam’s canonisation, the plight of refugees and migrants, and the impact of the pandemic on humanitarian organizations. Furthermore, images and videos were displayed during the interview, sent by our Confederation’s countries in response to my request for pictures of charitable actions with those in need. Watch the interview on the following link on December 22nd, at 21h20 (Paris time).
9. Audience with France’s Order of Malta
One of the highlights of our agenda was a working meeting on Saturday with the newly elected President of France’s Order of Malta, Dr. Cedric Chalret du Rieu. During the audience, I presented him with Ozanam’s medal and our latest activity report. I informed him that in 2023 we will be signing a cooperation agreement to fight poverty with Rome’s Order of Malta, which will support the SSVP’s work, given the extensive experience of the Order of Malta in this regard. Moreover, we addressed the issue of bringing France’s Order of Malta closer to the French-speaking countries around the world, especially those where the SSVP is present. Good news on this initiative will be announced soon.
10. Arrangements for the inauguration of the General Headquarters
On April 23rd, 2022, God willing, the general headquarters (at 65 rue de la Glaciere, 13th arrondissement, Paris) will be inaugurated. During my one-week stay in Paris, I told everyone about the inauguration ceremony and invited them to the event. In March, on my next trip to the French capital, I am meeting with the new Archbishop of Paris, the Apostolic Nuncio, ambassadors, and other authorities, and I will invite them to the event. I take this opportunity to thank the CGI’s special advisor, Gonzague de Raulin, for organising the agenda and accompanying me on the visits.
11. Additional activities
Right after the trip to Paris, I visited Lisbon, with a very busy schedule. I participated in the distribution of Christmas baskets to the poor, organised by St. Francis of Assisi Conference. I also visited the headquarters of the Superior Council, giving my fraternal embrace to the national president, Alda Couceiro. We talked about my possible trip to Madeira and the Azores in 2022 or 2023, and about the importance of Vincentian formation, emphasizing on our book which is being distributed across Portugal. Another highlight was the visit to Mrs. Henriqueta, widow of the 13th President General, brother César Augusto Nunes Viana. Finally, I met with the Lazarist Fathers at St. Thomas Aquinas parish, where I took part in the community mass and had the opportunity to give a talk on the CGI’s activities. I thank God for His protection during all these events amidst these difficult moments of global health crisis.
Renato Lima, 16th President General
1. Memorial Ceremony at Notre-Dame cathedral
2. Sainte-Rosalie parish
3. Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal chapel
4. Visit to the Lazarist Fathers (Vincentians)
5. Staff meeting
6. Lunch with Philippe Menet
7. Visit to the Religious of St Vincent de Paul
8. Interview on KTO Catholic TV Channel
9. Audience with France’s Order of Malta
10. Arrangements for the inauguration of the General Headquarters
11. Additional activities
