Report of the visit to Mangalore (India) on its 100th anniversary
The PGI traveled to India on January 25–26 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the SSVP in Mangalore.
The SSVP was founded in India in 1852 by French missionaries and, through its generous service to those most in need, spread its flame of love throughout the country. The first Conferences were established in Calcutta and nearby areas. Ten years later, in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), 2,000 km away, additional ones were created, expanding progressively across India, now with some 77,000 members.
In an atmosphere of deep fraternity and emotion, the centennial celebrations began with a solemn Eucharist at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary in Mangalore, originally a church built by the Portuguese in 1568. The church was desecrated and destroyed in 1784; reconstruction began in 1813 and took over a century to complete and consecrate as a cathedral.
The Mass was presided over by the diocesan bishop, Monsignor Peter Paul Saldanha, together with a dozen diocesan priests. In his homily, the bishop emphasized how the Conferences always support those most in need as God’s children, faithfully following the teachings of St. Vincent de Paul, through his foremost lay interpreter, Frédéric Ozanam.
Before an audience of more than 1,500 people from across the country, and in the presence of the bishop and several SSVP leaders from India, the centennial events included reports on social achievements, speeches, presentations, tributes to benefactors, and a colorful display of local folk performances.
In his address, the PGI highlighted India’s strength within the Confederation as an example of evangelization and dedication to the poor.
The Central Council of Mangalore consists of 113 Conferences with about 1,600 members (including two youth conferences) and supports five more in another region.
They provide assistance to 650 needy families (around 1,620 people), offering spiritual support, active listening, care for the sick and elderly, financial help, home repairs, medical treatment, and shelter for the homeless.
Among their special projects, in partnership with the P. Muller Hospital, they launched a Medical and Renal Care program that currently serves over 1,600 patients free of charge.
Regarding the 2026 projects, Year of the Centennial: the Refuge Project, providing 100 homes for families with limited resources; the Rose Petals Project, through the Bejai and Miracles Conferences, which offers a monthly aid of USD 2,000 to the most needy families in parishes where Conferences have not yet been established, financed by the fundraising from a major cultural event; the Education Project, supporting more than 400 children through donations and solidarity sales; and finally, the Renal Care Project, made possible by an SSVP donor who covers 50 % of patient expenses, including dialysis.
The PGI, accompanied by Executive Assistant Isabel Garzo, also visited various Vincentian landmarks of interest.
Heartfelt thanks for the remarkable hospitality and generosity of our Indian brothers and sisters, especially to Gabriel Joe Coelho (President of the Central Council of Mangalore), Clarence Machado (Treasurer), Preetha Lobo (President of the Bendur Conference), Jude Mangal Raj (National President of India and VPTI), and Joseph Pandian (International Ombudsman).
The warmth, care, and Vincentian commitment of our Indian confreres transformed this brief journey into a vibrant source of inspiration and spiritual energy—a genuine lesson in Eastern wisdom to nurture our mission daily.
