Visit of the President General to the United States – September 2026
By Juan Manuel B. Gómez, PGI of the SSVP
At the invitation of John Berry, National President of the National Council of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in the United States, the President General International, accompanied by Paulo Cavaleri, Executive Director of the Paris Office, visited the United States from 9 to 17 September 2026. The programme included attendance at the National Assembly held in Salt Lake City, Utah, as well as visits to the SSVP’s social works in Boise, Idaho; Phoenix, Arizona; and Los Angeles, California.
Salt Lake City: National Assembly and renewal of Vincentian commitment
On 9 September, the President General attended the preliminary activities of the SSVP National Assembly, held in Salt Lake City, Utah. The following day, the Assembly officially opened under the theme “New Frontiers”, with the participation of nearly 800 brothers and sisters.
In his address, following the welcome given by John Berry, the National President, the PGI particularly recalled that “in order to carry out our mission properly, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of where we come from and to plan, according to Vincentian values, where we want to go. Only in this way can we remain faithful to the spirit of our founders and respond appropriately to the challenges of our time”.
The following day was marked by spirituality and fraternity. Participants took part in a spiritual retreat led by the SSVP National Spiritual Adviser, Archbishop Andrew Bellisario, C.M. At the conclusion of the retreat, the PGI met closely with the large Hispanic community living in the United States.
John Berry, President of SSVP USA; Archbishop Andrew Bellisario, C.M., National Council Adviser; and the PGI, Juan Manuel B. Gómez
In the afternoon, the ceremony for the renewal of Vincentian commitment was held during the Eucharist, presided over by John Berry and concelebrated by Archbishop Andrew Bellisario, C.M. It was a particularly moving moment, during which the brothers and sisters renewed together their promise of service. The solemn Eucharist and the closing Mass were spiritually enriched by a choir of more than 20 members. Our sisters Joanne Martone and Natalya Bencivenga stood out for their performances, accompanied by our brother Raymond Sickinger, President of the International Historical Commission, who is also the composer and performer of some of the finest hymns of praise that we had the privilege and joy of hearing.
Throughout the three days of meetings, the Assembly sessions and presentations continued, together with the meeting of the National Council, with the participation of the various commissions and the national social service departments.
In his address to the National Council, the PGI presented the current situation of the CGI and his vision for the future, stressing that, from its very origins, Vincentian service cannot be reduced to material assistance. “Material assistance is an important work of mercy,” he emphasised, but, as Frédéric Ozanam reminded us, “almsgiving alone does not deserve the name of charity”. He therefore stressed that “our Conferences must not limit themselves solely to material relief, because they may gradually lose their spiritual and Vincentian identity”. He also highlighted the need “to care for two fundamental dimensions of formation: the spiritual dimension and the importance of skills-based training, which includes areas such as leadership, communication, teamwork, transparency and good management”.
Bishop Oscar A. Solis, Bishop of Salt Lake City, and Archbishop Andrew Bellisario, C.M., with the PGI and John Berry
The PGI also announced the imminent launch of the Global Foundation of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, based in Geneva, Switzerland, which is intended to support international cooperation projects as well as responses to emergencies and disasters. He thanked John Berry, both personally and in his capacity as President of the National Council of the United States, for all his support and interest in the establishment of the Foundation.
During the meeting, and following a period of discussion, the annual accounts for the previous financial year, the budget for the coming year and the proposed resolutions were unanimously approved. The Assembly concluded with a solemn concelebrated Eucharist presided over by Bishop Oscar A. Solis, Bishop of Salt Lake City, followed by a fraternal dinner during which the PGI had the opportunity to offer some final words of thanks.
Some members of the Hispanic community attending the Assembly
Boise: accompanying people after prison
On 13 September, the delegation travelled to Boise, Idaho. There, the local Council welcomed the delegation, made up of the National President of the United States, the PGI and the Executive Director, and presented the work carried out by the Conferences in the region.
The Council of Southwest Idaho currently has 11 Conferences and combines homelessness prevention with support for people returning to the community after serving a prison sentence. It also runs a specific reintegration and employment guidance programme.
The following day, the delegation visited the Idaho State Correctional Institution, where the guests were able to learn first-hand about the SSVP reintegration programme for people returning to freedom after completing a prison sentence. This visit was of particular importance and was made possible by the San Dimas Conference, founded almost 15 years ago and specifically dedicated to supporting people during the first 90 days after their release from prison, including basic assistance and support through addiction recovery programmes.
Juan Manuel B. Gómez, PGI; Paulo Cavaleri, Executive Director of the CGI; John Berry, National President of SSVP USA; members of the SSVP in Southwest Idaho; and Alicia Carver, Director of the Idaho State Correctional Center (ISCC), during the visit to the correctional facility.
In 2024, the Conference organised 30 professional development courses in correctional facilities, with almost 500 participants; provided transportation for 1,350 people following their release; offered advice and support to a further 850 people, always seeking to provide them with spiritual assistance and help in finding employment; and provided clothing and food vouchers to 1,100 people.
Some former prisoners later join the Conferences as volunteers, and more than 90 percent of the paid staff working in SSVP Charity Shops across the State are people with this background, particularly women.
The experience of the San Dimas Conference shows how Vincentian action can accompany a person throughout a process of holistic recovery, combining material assistance with spiritual support, closeness, listening, friendship and hope.
From left to right: Susan Browning, President of the Our Lady of the Rosary Conference; Juan Manuel B. Gómez, PGI of the SSVP; John Berry, National President of SSVP USA; Becky Swartz, President of the SSVP Southwest Idaho Council; Fr. Caleb Vogel, Vicar General; and Ralph May, Executive Director of the SSVP Southwest Idaho Council.
The delegation later visited a large charity shop and the Council offices in Boise, where staff presented the different social services they provide. A meeting with the Board of Directors was also held.
In Boise, two realities coexist with the same spirit. On the one hand, there is the historic work carried out in the Treasure Valley: a help line, home visits, food pantries, Thanksgiving assistance, a Christmas Toy Store, second-hand shops and volunteer action aimed at helping families remain housed and meet their basic needs; and on the other, support for former prisoners.
Phoenix: a comprehensive response to vulnerability
On Tuesday 15 September, the delegation travelled to Phoenix, Arizona. The day began with a guided tour and lunch on the vast campus, covering almost 45,000 square metres and primarily dedicated to serving our brothers and sisters most in need.
The scale of the social work carried out in Phoenix offered an opportunity to discover a wide network of services. Particularly noteworthy among them is the central kitchen, which produces around 7,000 meals each day, as well as the Hall of Banners, the Dream Center, the urban gardens and housing programmes for people in need. The supply and transport system serving the other Conferences has 17 large trucks, in addition to a smaller fleet of support vehicles.
The SSVP in Phoenix has a history dating back to 1946 and currently brings together more than 80 Conferences. In addition to spiritual assistance, its work includes temporary accommodation, support with rent and utility bills, food, clothing and furniture, a hospital and free specialised medical and dental care, medicines, wellness programmes, veterinary assistance for pets and educational support.
One of the most significant places is the Key Campus, located in central Phoenix, where various social organisations work in coordination with the SSVP to provide a comprehensive response to people experiencing homelessness.
The delegation also visited the beautiful chapel located in the garden and dedicated to Frédéric Ozanam, which has recently been enlarged and restored, where they shared a moment of prayer.
This experience demonstrated how the SSVP coordinates different services in order to respond not only to immediate needs, but also to other dimensions of vulnerability, always with respect for the dignity of each person.
The day continued with a fraternal gathering during which the PGI and the National President were invited to take part in a round-table discussion before the members present. A question-and-answer session provided an opportunity to explain the major challenges facing the SSVP at both national and international level.
To conclude the day, a visit to Chase Field in Phoenix had been arranged to attend an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game, courtesy of the team’s leadership and management.
Los Angeles: poverty beyond the lack of material goods
On Wednesday 16 September, the final stage of the visit began with a flight to Los Angeles. There, representatives of the local SSVP welcomed the delegation and organised a lunch and a visit to the shelters operated by the local Council in the city, including one of the facilities and services for people experiencing homelessness in downtown Los Angeles and in Skid Row.
Direct contact with this reality once again makes it clear that contemporary poverty cannot be understood solely as a lack of material goods. It may also be accompanied by loneliness, exclusion, the loss of family and social ties, and mental health problems.
The work of the Conferences in Los Angeles is therefore a concrete expression of an approach that seeks not only to respond to an immediate need, but also to accompany the person and help restore relationships, dignity and hope.
The day ended with a farewell and fraternal dinner with the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Council.
From left to right: Renee Dekowski, Director of Human Resources; Ana Gonzalez, Vincentian Services Lead Member Coordinator; Jorge Menjivar, Director of Stores; Katti E. Fernandez, Director of Vincentian Services; John Berry, National President; Juan Manuel B. Gómez, PGI; Sofia Fernandez, Vincentian Services Members Coordinator; Javier de León, Vincentian Services Coordinator; Omar D. Gonzalez, Vincentian Services Manager; Katherine Juarez, Vincentian Services Coordinator; Adrian Ibarra, Vincentian Services Coordinator; and Lupe Rivera, Vincentian Services Administrative Assistant.
From left to right: Phil Wijmer, Los Angeles Council President; Juan Manuel B. Gómez, PGI; John Berry, National President; and David Garcia, Executive Director.
A week of fraternity, service and mission
On Thursday 17 September, the visit came to an end with the return journey home.
In his farewell remarks, the President General said that he was returning from the trip “with a heart full of emotion and gratitude”. He expressed special thanks to John Berry, National President of the SSVP in the United States; Paulo Cavaleri, Executive Director of the Paris Office, for his attention and service; and all the brothers and sisters of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in the United States for their welcome, fraternity and commitment.
He also expressed his appreciation to all Vincentians and volunteers in the United States, as well as to the different branches of the Vincentian Family that accompany us, for the common good they carry out every day by welcoming, accompanying and serving so many people in situations of need.
The visit offered a first-hand view of different expressions of the outstanding Vincentian service being carried out in several States of the United States and which, without doubt, is recognised in the eyes of God: spiritual assistance, addiction prevention, homelessness prevention, support for people experiencing homelessness, food assistance, healthcare, training, reintegration after prison and, above all, personal accompaniment.
At the conclusion of the visit, the President General wished to emphasise what unites all members of the SSVP beyond borders: “May the friendship that unites us, our faith and our Vincentian values continue to grow stronger each day, so that we may continue walking together, growing together and serving together, as one single Conference extending throughout the world.”
The liturgical choir that accompanied the Eucharistic celebrations during the Assembly