Virtual Meeting of Vincentian Leaders
The formation focused on beholding God’s presence in the poor
On September 16-17, the Vincentian Family’s International Executive Committee held a special two-hour virtual formation session for the leaders of the various branches of the Family. A total of around 100 leaders from the five continents took part in the two-day meeting.
Interpreted into eight languages and coordinated by Ozanam TV, the meetings were attended by the 16th President General International, brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, on behalf of the SSVP’s Council General International, and brother Ricardo Tavares, International Coordinator of the Vincentian Family.
The first part of the meeting included a motivational speech given by Father Hugh O’Donnell, a missionary of the Congregation of the Mission in the USA, on divine contemplation in the poor. “We must behold God’s presence not only through prayer, but also in all our daily activities and with the poor, as did St. Vincent de Paul,” the speaker stressed.
Then, the second part of the session consisted of a review of the the main Vincentian events that have taken place during the past five years: the Symposium on the 400th anniversary of the Vincentian Charism, the Vincentian Film Festival “Finding Vince 400”, the 13 Houses Campaign (on behalf of those who are homeless), and the worldwide meeting of the leaders of the branches of the Vincentian Family, which took place in Rome in 2020.
During the meeting, some videos were projected on the most recent activities undertaken by the Vincentian Family, as well as the presentation of Vincent’s song You did it to me, by Gen Verde (Focolares). Father Tomaz Mavric, President of the International Executive Committee and Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission, announced upcoming events to be launched by the Vincentian Family in the near future: 2023 (Rome) and 2025 (Paris).
The SSVP’s Council General International reaffirms its unconditional support to the Vincentian Family, fostering greater cooperation nationwide, which will entail common projects and spiritual events, and anything that makes the Family grow and become stronger, as outlined in the international strategic plan.
