The inauguration of the 17th President General is approaching!
The entire event will be broadcasted live on Ozanam TV on September 9th
Since 1839, when the Council General was established by our founders, 16 members from different countries have held the noble service of President General International.
These leaders have contributed effectively to the worldwide growth of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul with their ideas, projects, planning and vision for the future.
Currently, the 16th President General, brother Renato Lima de Oliveira from Brazil is ending his seven-year term (six statutory years, extended one year by the International Executive Committee due to the pandemic).
On June 13th, during the General Assembly held in Rome, the presidents of the Superior Councils democratically elected the 17th President General, brother Juan Manuel Buergo Gómez from Spain. We take this opportunity to thank the other candidates who participated in the election.
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul will be celebrating the inauguration of the new President General! The event will be broadcasted live in four languages on Ozanam TV’s Facebook channels with simultaneous translation by volunteer Vincentians.
With great joy, the Council General International invites everyone to the inauguration ceremony which, God willing, will take place on September 9th, the liturgical date of Blessed Antoine-Frederic Ozanam, in Paris (France).
It will be held at the Mother House of the Congregation of the Mission (95, Sèvres Street). The event will begin at 10 AM (Paris time) with the Eucharist to be celebrated in the Chapel of St. Vincent de Paul, followed by a festive formal ceremony and fraternization.
The preceding day (September 8), the photo gallery of the former Presidents General and the presidential showcase will be inaugurated at the headquarters of the Council General as well as the blessing of Blessed Henri Planchat’s relic in the chapel of the headquarters. In addition, tributes will be paid to the 2nd President General, brother Jules Gossin, whose remains are in the Picpus Cemetery.
“Let us pray for the new President General and this new team who will take office. I thank God for having given me the strength to overcome all the adversities that have arisen during this journey. In particular, I thank all those who have worked with me all these years for the institutional strengthening of the Council General. God give you double”, emphasized President Lima de Oliveira.
