Living Africa The 16th President General visits Africa - Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, Ontario ...
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Edition
1/2018
SS V P
International General Council - Society of St Vincent de Paul
Living Africa
The 16th President General
visits Africa
The Thematic A new meeting Meeting of the Second
Year of with International International
François His Holiness Executive Youth Day of
Lallier Committee the SSVP
of Famvin
Page General
International 3 Council Page 8 Page 20 Page 29
1
www.ssvpglobal.org
Summary
Editorial
the thematic year of françois
lallier
2 Editorial
o Interview with Jean-Loup de Once again, Salamanca!
Beauvoir 3 Renato Lima, 16th President General
o International Literary
Competition 5 In a few weeks, the International General Council will be pro-
o Visit to the grave of François moting in the beautiful city of Salamanca, in close collabora-
Lallier 6 tion with the Superior Council of Spain, the 2nd International
international activities Youth Meeting of the SSVP, also called the “Salamanca + 10
o Visit to the USA 7 Meeting” (since the first event took place there in 2008). The
gathering will have talks, dynamics, reflections and, above all,
o A new meeting with His
discussions about how Vincentian youth can effectively con-
Holiness 8
tribute to the transformation of reality, through charity.
o Living Africa 9
o IGC meetings 16 The priority of the General Council is (since it is part of the
o Activity Report 2017 17 international strategic planning) to develop the youth with-
spirituality 19 in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at all levels. The young
vincentian has a central role in the daily life of Conferences
vincentian family and Councils. The message of peace, joy, charity and unity
o International meeting 20 that the young take everywhere, especially during the charity
world news actions carried out at the bases, is essential to renew our or-
ganization and, above all, to keep it jovial, lively and focused
o Liberia: new country joining
the SSVP 22 on the principles of our founders, who were young as well.
o SSVP Francie: Mission to
Vietnam 23
Vincentian youth is very important for the General Coun-
cil and for all the Superior Councils, as well as for the whole
o Ozanam Education
Catholic Church. The various initiatives that have been under-
Programme 25
taken by the young in the service to the neediest, have born
ssvp youth connections plenty and wonderful fruits for humanity. To be a young Vin-
o Mini World Youth Day in centian is to savour the fullness of life next to Jesus, Mary,
Durban, South Africa 27 Vincent and Ozanam, so that together, living with the princi-
o International Meeting of ples of the Gospel, we can make the difference.
Vincentian Youth 29
I wish that in this year 2018, that I declared “Internation-
strategic goals 31
al Thematic Year of François Lallier” (the youngest founder
Chairman: among the seven), the young vincentian will be a unifying el-
Carlos LAFARGA ement in the daily journey of the SSVP, from the home visits
Webmaster:
to the most important decision-making process, at Council
Hélène AFRIAT
Head of English Language: level. The SSVP needs them! I look forward to seeing them in
Mary Whilssy CANDELARIA y Karl HILA Salamanca! I want to embrace all of them, personally. Thanks
Head of Spanish Language: to all the countries that are generously cooperating with the
Carlos LAFARGA
Head of Portuguese Language and Graphics:
General Council in the organization of this major event.
Markinhos PERASSOLI
Head of Social Media:
Mary Whilssy CANDELARIA
SSVP Representative – Famvin Int.
Communication Department:
Karl HILA
Ozanam Network Graphics:
SSVP Spain
International General Council
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2
the thematic year of françois lallier
The members of the first
conference “were friends
who shared the same
convictions, the same
joys, the same pains.”
Interview with Jean-Loup de
Beauvoir, direct descendant
of François Lallier
Fe b r u a r y 1 9 ,
2018 was a special day for the
Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
On the said day, the SSVP was Jean-Loup de Beauvoir
joined, in a meeting at IGC of- during his visit to the
fice, by a direct descendant of International General
François Lallier, Mr. Jean-Loup Council Headquarters
de Beauvoir. This member
of Lallier’s family, moreover, Making the most of his stay at the General International Council,
have lots of information, be as well as his generosity and closeness, the SSVP asked Jean-Loup de
it personal or family inher- Beauvoir interesting questions that are reflected in this interview.
itance of Lallier, and has even
studied and collected in a few IGC: Could you tell us how François JLB: Being retired, I started getting
handwritten documents, the Lallier influence your life? interested in genealogy and in my
personal wealth of Lallier. ancestors. François Lallier was one
JLB: YI was born in Corus, in his of them.
These studies are very impor- house. In 2007, year of the 160th anni-
tant to the Society because My youth went under the severe versary of the acquisition of the
it contains the distinct life and vigilant eyes of the president Corus property by François Lalli-
profiles of one of our found- of the civil court of Sens who, from er, we decided to organize a fam-
ers; Mr. Beauvoir describe his framework of gilded wood, ily celebration. This is the starting
François Lallier in many ways: one hundred years after his death, point of my research.
in his behavior and his exam- continued to observe his family. Documents kept in drawers
ple in the family, as a lawyer, François Lallier was for me came out, especially a diary of
a man in the professional “grandfather Lallier”, companion François Lallier covering the peri-
field, a man concerned with of Ozanam, founder of the Confer- ods from March to June 1834 and
social justice, as a member of ences of Saint Vincent de Paul. February and March 1835... Little
Conferences, the axis of his by little I established contacts and
spiritual and charitable life IGC: When you decided to inves- quickly, with the help of Internet,
and as an intimate friend of tigate the life of François Lallier, I found myself in the “Vincentian”
Frederic Ozanam. where did you obtain the informa- environment... the descendants
tion? Which were the main sourc- of Bl. Frederic Ozanam have sent
es for this research? me the transcript of the extensive
International General Council
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3
the thematic year of françois lallier Interview with Jean-Loup de Beauvoir
correspondence between Lallier Board Meeting in Paris?
and Ozanam (1834-1852) and be-
tween him and Amélie, his widow JLB: My father was active in the
(1853-1886). SSVP; as for me, I have not. How-
ever, during the meeting at which
IGC: Could you tell us about the I participated I never had the feel-
document that you have written ing of being an outsider. In addi-
on F. Lallier and about the most tion, several times in moments
important elements that you of meditation and fraternity, I
would like to highlight? thought that in 1833 it must have
been like this.
JLB: By writing my paper, my sole “I imagined Jesus in the midst
intention was to discover the man IGC: .- In your opinion, what are of his disciples breaking the
who was hiding behind the one the most relevant virtues in the bread and saying, “this is my
who, for me, is and has always life of Lallier? body, and this is my blood”.
been the “grandfather Lallier”. How not take these divine
I have worked in a chronological JLB: What can I say? I have always words in their literal sense!
order, putting each event of his been surprised by the extreme
life in perspective with the great youth of the protagonists... 20 I pictured him as God and
events of his time. My goal was year old “kids”, man at the same time. And
never been to write the history this mystery of the incar-
of the Conferences of Saint Vin- • who do not hesitate to defend nation seemed to link won-
cent de Paul that, in fact, is pres- Catholicism and challenge uni- derfully with all others; the
ent in the story only because they versity professors during their mystery of the simultaneous
were an integral part of the life of classes... existence of an infinite God
François Lallier. • who come to explain to an Arch- and a finite man; the mystery
I went through the life of bishop what is appropriate to of God in three persons one of
François Lallier from his birth in teach the young and thus move which takes on our humanity
1814, until his death in 1886, and I the society of their time... and participates in our pain;
hope to have contributed to reveal • who were able to answer this the mystery of the Eucharist
the man he was. question: “you’re right, if you where the infinite being is hid-
talk about the past: Christian- den under a limited body, and
IGC: What do you think about the ity once worked wonders, but resides in all the places of the
initiative “Thematic Year of Lalli- today, what is it doing for hu- Earth at the same time.
er”, launched by the International manity?” And you, that pride
General Council? yourselves on being Catholic, And yet, these thoughts
what do you do? Where are the have not excited a momentum
JLB: As a descendant of François works that demonstrate the in my heart. How great is my
Lallier, I can’t but be touched by truth of your faith?” dryness and how infinite my
this initiative which seems to me poverty! O my God, my Sav-
fortunate and justified. In my re- IGC: From your point of view, what iour Jesus, Mary, my sweet
search that is far from being the is the most valuable thing that we, mother, look at me, have mer-
research of a historian, I have nev- Vincentians, can learn from the cy on me. I will approach the
er had the feeling that there is a spirituality of François Lallier? holy table, support me and es-
superiority of one companion over pecially make me persevere.
the others. They were friends who JLB: I am unable to answer this Give me the grace to love
shared the same beliefs, the same question; however, I propose a few you always, more and more,
joys and sorrows. extracted sentences of the text of and to inspire your love in the
a meditation written by François souls that you have entrusted
IGC: What did you feel taking part Lallier in 1841, on his 27th birth- to me.”
on the last SSVP international day:
International General Council
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4
the thematic year of françois lallier
Council
General
launches the
International
Competition
for writings on
François Lallier
The procedures, with the rules and the appendix for this compe-
As a way of tition, are available on the IGC website (www.ssvpglobal.org). The
written entries must be no more than 20 pages long. Cash prizes
promoting further will be awarded to the three best entries (1000, 750 and 500 euros,
the “International respectively). The SSVP Conferences to which the winners belong
Year on the Theme will also receive a cash award of the same value, to be spent on the
families and individuals they help, or for Vincentian mission.
of François Lallier”,
announced by the Entries may be submitted in one of five languages: Portuguese,
16th International Spanish, English, Italian and French. The closing date for sending
in dissertations / studies will be on 8 July 2018. The organizing
President General, committee will announce the result on 8 September 2018, and
Renato Lima de the prizes will be sent to the winners immediately afterwards.
Oliveira, in his This competition was announced in the 16th President General’s
Circular Letter on 31 program for his term of office, which instituted the “themed years”
January, the Council to spread knowledge of the life, work and legacy of the founders
of the first Vincentian Conference in 1833. The Council General
General of the hopes that many Vincentians, especially young people, will take
SSVP hereby opens part in the Lallier competition, as they did in the Bailly competi-
the International tion, which was a great success. “We need to study and value the
biographies of our beloved founders”, Bro. Renato Lima added.
Literary Competition
on “The First This competition will be repeated each year, until 2022. In 2019,
the subject will be “Paul Lamache”. With great enthusiasm, let us
Conference”. ask our Superior Councils to help IGC spread the news of this com-
petition to the Conferences and Councils, as well as to Vincentian
schools and colleges, and to Catholic universities.
For more information, log on to our website:
cgi.formation@ssvpglobal.org
International General Council
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5
the thematic year of françois lallier
Visit to the grave of François
Lallier
The thematic year dedicated to Lallier has just
begun and one of the first activities organized
is to locate and visit his tomb, situated in the
cemetery of Sens, 130 km southeast of Paris.
This trip was organized by the Commission of Historical
Research chaired by Juan M. Gómez. With him are the fol-
lowing: the General Vice-President, Joseph Pandian, the 1st
Vice- President Deputy, Carmela Addante and the collabo-
rator of the Commission of Historical Research, Francisco
Holgado.
It is very important
for the Internation-
al General Council (IGC) to regain
the roots, the origins of the Soci-
ety of St. Vincent de Paul, begin-
ning by taking care of and protect-
ing the legacy of the founders of
the first Conference, honouring
their memory and strengthening
the present and future of the SSVP
through their example, as models
of fraternity, of community life
and of helping the poorest.
On this occasion, the Interna-
tional General Council also sched-
uled an official visit this coming
September 2018, which will have
Grave of François Lallier the presence of the President Gen-
in the Sens Cemetery eral, brother Renato Lima, and a
bigger number of representatives
of the SSVP IGC, as also they did
for the Thematic Year 2017, dedi-
cated to Emmanuel Bailly.
International General Council
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6
international activities
The General
President’s
visit to the
United States of
America.
For a whole week, from the
14th to the 20th of January,
Our Fellow member Renato
Lima, 16th General President
of SSVP, visited the United
States of America and invited
the local brothers, as well as
the conferences and councils,
projects and works of SSVP.
Accompanied by brother Edmund
Keane, International Vice Pres-
ident of IGC Institutional Rela-
tions, the International General
President brother Renato Lima
visited Boston and Providence (on
the 14th and 15th of January) and
Washington (on the 19th and 20th
of January). During the last visit,
he was accompanied by Dave Bar-
ringer, CEO of the National Council
of the United Stated, and Mike Ni-
zankiewicz, ITVP America 1.
Through the General Presi-
dent’s twitter account @RenatoL-
imaSSVP, we lived every moment
of that trip and we were able to
put faces on the names of our
American fellow members, and
saw their great work for the most
in need. One of the examples was
his visit to Our Lady Queen of the included a major event which was
Martyr’s conference in Seekonk, the participation (from the 16th
the meeting with the Holly Spirit to the 18th of January) of SSVP’s
Conference in Whitman and the General President to the meeting
reunions with the different mem- of the Executive Committee of the
bers of conferences in Washing- Vincentian Family that was held in
ton. Philadelphia and held great results
in this edition on the Ozanam’s
This trip to the United States also network.
International General Council
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7
international activities
A new meeting On the 14th of February 2018,
SSVP’s 16th General President,
President) held a meeting to ana-
lyze the progress of Ozanam’s Can-
with His brother Renato Lima de Oliveira
began a new visit to the city of
onization.
Holiness Rome. In the morning, he attend-
ed the Wednesdays’ Public Audi-
The next day (the 15th of Febru-
ary), the General President met
ence with His Holiness the Pope with the Prefect of the Dicastery
In the General President’s Francisco in the Vatican, and of the Laity, Family and Life, the
international agenda in during which he handed his holi- Cardinal Joseph Farrell, as SSVP is
ness a report of SSVP’s activities included in the international insti-
Rome, a meeting with The
in Africa, as well as his travel plan tutions list already having an ec-
Holy Father during a public starting from February the 22nd clesial recognition. Later that day,
audience was set. A meeting during which he will visit seven Af- the General President met with the
that was about Ozanam’s rican countries. Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect
canonization, another of the Eastern Churches Congre-
meeting with the dicastery In the evening, our Brother Re- gation to look through the works
for the Laity, Family and nato Lima with Father Giuseppe done by SSVP in the eastern re-
Life with the Prefect of Guerra CM (Postulator General of gions, which were very satisfying.
the Eastern Churches Bl. Frederic Ozanam’s Canoniza-
tion Cause), accompanied by the Our General President also met
Congregation, and with the
Brother Antonia Gianfico (SSVP’s with the new Dicastery of Integral
Dicastery for the integral President in Italy and Administrator Human Development, and organ-
human development service of Ozanam’s Cause) as well as the ism which through their work, is
were organized. Brother Sebastian Gramajo (CGI’s in great harmony with SSVP’s mis-
general Counselor and 3rd Vice sion throughout the world.
International General Council
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8
international activities
Visited Countries
Living Africa
The 16th President The
commitment
General, Renato that the SSVP
Lima de Oliveira, International
General Council and its President
visited Africa. General have with the African
continent is clear after more than
28,000 km of travel and the very
From February 20 to tight agenda of service with which
brother Renato Lima accomplished
March 15, the SSVP in his journey, and in which some
President General countries of the SSVP received, for
the first time, the President of our
travelled to Africa to beloved Society.
experience first-hand With the intention of immersing himself in the situation of each coun-
the different realities try visited and being prepared to reach out in the most efficient way to
of the Conferences the African reality, Renato Lima always had in mind a series of goals
throughout his journey:
in seven countries
On one hand, there was the need to hold meetings with top lead-
of this continent: ers of the various national Governments, as well as with the Ministers
Burkina Faso, having portfolios containing the SSVP works. “The political class decides
about the laws and we Vincentians give a voice to the voiceless”, said
Nigeria, Central Renato Lima.
African Republic,
Zambia,
Mozambique,
Botswana
and South
Africa.
Primary School in inland Mozambique,
Project supported by the SSVP
International General Council
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9
international activities Living Africa
On the other hand, as a Catho-
lic entity, the President General
visited the highest representa-
tive of the Church Hierarchy in
each country. He had meetings
with Cardinals, Bishops, Apostol-
ic Nuncios, Conferences of Bish-
ops and Vicars General, in order
to strengthen the collaboration
of the Church in the beautiful
work of service carried out by Welcoming the International President
the Vincentians, which in many General in Gaborone, Botswana
cases takes places in Diocesan
parishes.
Another important objective of
the visit was to strengthen the
presence of Vincentian Fami-
ly. The President General visited
each Branch present in each of the
countries, giving special attention
to the Shared Mission in the ter-
ritory and to the bonds of union
that make us stronger. In addition,
he made it clear that the Society
of St. Vincent de Paul is, as mem- Meeting with the Congregation of the
Mission in Maputo, Mozambique
ber of the Vincentian Family, is an
institution open to collaboration
with all entities having the goal of above, brother Renato Lima was sage of Love and Charity Network
eradication of poverty and uplift- available to all media through that the Society of St. Vincent de
ing the dignity of the human be- various press conferences, inter- Paul is promoting today around
ing. views, and participating in radio the world.
and television, being aware of his
Of course, in addition to the role as ambassador for the mes- One of the main goals set in the
journey of Renato Lima was the
members: their faith and their
work on the ground. He took part
in Assemblies and national / zone
meetings, as well as in meetings
with the Vincentian youth. There
he was available to any question
and request from his fellow mem-
bers, who showed an interest for
the international situation of the
Conferences, the Thematic Year of
Lallier, the Canonization Cause of
Ozanam, the projects SSVP Plus to
reach new countries (like Liberia)
or the Youth Gathering in Sala-
Visiting Bishop Duncan
in Johannesburg
manca - Spain, among many other
topics.
International General Council
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10international activities Living Africa
already consolidated, as well as
many others that are in their first
steps and which, on the occasion
of the arrival of the General Presi-
dent, were officially opened.
The SSVP in Africa comprises of
countries with a large presence of
fellow members, like Nigeria and
Zambia, and countries where the
SSVP has a smaller but very prom-
ising representation, like Botswa-
Meeting with the Prime na and Mozambique. It is a de-
Minister of the Central African veloping continent that, in many
Republic, Simplice Sarandji cases, has an disparity that blocks
In addition to these meetings
face to face with the General Pres-
ident, Renato Lima wanted to par-
ticipate in closer gatherings with
the members. He visited charities
carried out by the members, with
the sweat of their brow, and took
part in their Conference meetings,
prayed with them and shared their
concerns about specific situations
of their service. He visited many
training workshops, orphanag-
es and shelters for homeless, so-
cial canteens and residences for
Burkina Faso, Training Centre and
seniors, making home visits and National SSVP Headquarters
visits to a long list of good works
Radio Veritas in Johannesburg, President of Burkina Faso,
South Africa Roch Marc Christian Kaboré
International General Council
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11international activities Living Africa
its growth. Our members co-exist
with military conflicts and politi-
cal instability, they are struck by
famines, severe illness like AIDS
(today still widespread), natu-
ral disasters and humanitarian
emergencies. However, they have Meeting with Conferences
from Saint Agnes Particular
great faith and a sense of belong-
Council, Zambia
ing to the Society of St. Vincent
of Paul that makes them face all
these difficulties, not only with
zeal and love to others, but also
with imagination and inventive-
ness, despite lacking material and
human resources. They do not
stop because of difficulties, they
simply dream of a better world
by putting into action all kinds of
initiatives that help their brothers
in need.
In this trip, heartfelt thanks are
Visit to the South Africa
expressed for their work and ded- National Council
ication, to the entire international
structure of the CGI, the SSVP Ter-
ritorial Vice-Presidents of Africa essary assistance and collabo- tive to infinity.”
and the Presidents of the various ration”. African Vincentians per-
Superior Councils of the countries form their service often with few The President General wishes to
visited by the President General; resources, but with an incredible return to Africa in the year 2020
and even to those Presidents who commitment and imagination in in order to visit four other coun-
took advantage of the official vis- view of improving the lives of the tries and participate in the Sec-
it of brother Renato Lima to greet assisted people. Charity is inven- ond Meeting “All Africa”.
him (like the Presidents of Supe-
rior Councils of Mali, Ivory Coast,
Benin and Togo); and very spe-
cial thanks to all the Vincentians
in Africa and to those who joined
this journey through Social Net-
works and prayed along with the
President General and our African
members.
After this visit, Renato Lima
said, “I am better prepared to
understand the challenges that
Visit to orphanage in Bangui,
Africa faces to help them more
Central African Republic
efficiently and request the nec-
International General Council
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12international activities Living Africa
CHARITY AND THE
SERVICE OF THE AFRICAN
VINCENTIANS
In this section, we wish to highlight
some of the works of charity that
our fellow members are conduct-
ing and that the President General
had the opportunity to visit and
which are a reflection of the work
that is performed across Africa.
In Burkina Faso, Renato
Lima attended workshops of so-
cial and labour reintegration,
Inauguration of the next
which teaches a trade to the stu- Headquarters of the SSVP Nigeria
dents (mechanics workshop - Con-
ference Immaculate Conception;
and dressmaking workshop - Con-
ference Hail Mary). They are also
building houses for homeless
families; in fact, Renato Lima laid
the first stone of one of these
homes, carried out by the Confer-
ence Saint Camillus.
For Nigeria, we can high-
light the great work of accom-
paniment that our members are
providing in prisons, looking after
the inmates, and also the visits to
households in the poorest neigh-
Francisco Chimoio, Archbishop
bourhoods. of Maputo, Mozambique
Mass in Our Lady Queen of Nigeria
with Vincentian members
International General Council
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13international activities Living Africa
In Central African Repub-
lic, they carry out a great job with
the orphans left by the armed
conflict affecting the country and
the strong fight waged by the
SSVP against famine and disease.
A project is being performed to
provide them with a head office,
which currently does not exist,
that could be at the same time a
hospital to care for the poor and
the sick.
In Zambia, as well as sup-
porting the sick in hospitals and San Mateo Nursery School in
visits to the homes of the poor- Johannesburg, South Africa
Visit to Cardinal Julio Duarte President of the Central African
Langa - Mozambique Republic, Faustin-Archange Touadéra
est families, the SSVP is organizing
the “Ozanam Project”, more than
20,000 square meters of farming,
sustainable activity since half of
the production goes to families
in need and the other half for the
maintenance of the Project.
In Mozambique, the SSVP
has a strong connection with the
Branches of the Vincentian Fami-
ly present in the country and with
the Church, carrying out home vis-
its in the poorest neighbourhoods
Meeting with a Youth
and performing charity works for Conference, Burkina Faso
children.
International General Council
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14international activities Living Africa
In Botswana, the President
General visited a children’s home
run by the Conference Christ the
King, which welcomes kids up to
age 18 who come from a rural en-
vironment so that they can study
in the city. A shelter is being built
for homeless people run by the
Conference Holy Cross, as well as a
child shelter “little friends”, which Visit to Ozanam Project – SSVP
is the responsibility of the Confer- sustainable farming, Zambia
ence Saint Gabriel.
In South Africa, the Pres-
ident General visited the SSVP
elementary school “Saint Mat-
thew” and distributed batches of
food in the poorest neighbour-
hoods. In the same way, he could
see how the SSVP offered food to
more than 250 children every day
and visited the “Frederic House”,
where 30 people are sheltered.
Meeting with Bishop Clement,
Bishop of Lusaka, Zambia
Children’s Home, Polokon,
South Africa
International General Council
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15international activities
General Council The General Council’s head office was a hive
of activity in February since 3 international
Three international meetings were held there. These meetings
brought together the Saint Vincent de Paul
meetings at the Paris Society’s officers and Renato Lima de Oliveira
– our 16th President-General – just before his
head office official trip to Africa.
The first meeting was
held on Sunday 18 Feb-
ruary and concerned of-
ficers from the Europe
1 zone. This meeting fo-
cused on 3 main topics:
- Various discussions be-
tween countries in this
zone
- Consolidating National
Councils in countries
where the SSVP’s pres-
ence is weak (Gibraltar,
Luxembourg, Malta,
Turkey)
- The SSVP Plus Project
(aimed at countries
where the SSVP is com-
pletely absent, such
as Scandinavian coun-
tries, Greece, Cyprus,
Andorra, Lichtenstein,
and San Marino)
- The end of the first phase of for International Aid and Devel-
The following Monday, it was the programme for re-aggre- opment) held its biannual meet-
the Board’s turn to meet. Their gating Conferences ing. This included studying the
intensive programme covering - Taking stock of preparations latest projects submitted and as-
2 days’ work addressed many for the meetings in Salamanca sessing the Commission’s financial
points, including the following: (Spain) this coming June situation.
- Brother Renato Lima’s trip
to and business in Rome, his Besides the International Board On the same day, Brother Rena-
meeting with Pope Francis and members, Jean-Loup de Beauvoir to Lima de Oliveira flew to Ouaga-
the new dicasteries – a descendant of François Lalli- dougou (capital of Burkina Faso)
- The SSVP Plus Project with er – was present. Lallier is taking for the first leg of his official trip to
the latest countries to join the pride of place throughout 2018 as Africa covering a total of 7 coun-
SSVP: Albania and Liberia one of our theme years dedicated tries: Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Cen-
- The progress of Blessed to the SSVP’s founders. tral African Republic, Zambia, Mo-
Frédéric Ozanam’s canoniza- zambique, Botswana and South
tion process Finally, the CIAD (Commission Africa.
International General Council
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16international activities
The Activity
Report 2017
reflects the
commitment
in the
Mission Founding of the SSVP in Albania
The International Thanks to the generosity of all of the SSVP Plus project, which
General Council has our members, the International invites the Vincentians to look
Commission of Aid and Devel- around their own neighbouring
prepared a report on opment (CIAD) has managed to countries where the Conferences
the activities carried support, with more than 900,000 are not present. In recent months,
out during the year euros, the initiatives and needs of Albania and Liberia joined the
2017. This summary is the Conferences around the world. charity network, but the IGC is still
a good compendium of New projects, activities and emer- working so that other countries
gency aid have been launched can join this great family.
the many projects and thanks to these international do-
initiatives that have been nations and twinning in which the With the intention of devel-
accomplished during an General Council has a role of liais- oping fraternity and closeness
entire year not only of ing or direct management of the among the fellow members,
the service of the CGI, funds. which are the necessary ingredi-
ents for the development of the
but also of the many The SSVP grows and this fact is SSVP’s Mission, the International
actions that are being reflected through the great works meetings by language have been
planned for the future
VI Ibero-American Meeting, Quito, Ecuador
of the SSVP, which always
seeks the service of the
poorest brothers and the
development of its faith
and of its charism.
International General Council
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17international activities Activity Report 2017
Evidently,
the SSVP’s heart is beating
vigorously, living with
enthusiasm its “service in
hope”.
We finish this brief
summary of the Activity
report of the SSVP looking
to our future, to the young
people who represent
held. Examples of this are the 6th development of the Canonization the new blood of the
Latin-American meeting of the Cause of the Blessed Frederic Conferences and who
SSVP, in Quito (Ecuador) and the Ozanam and the celebration of have lived through the
2nd Summit of Vincentian Portu- the 20th anniversary of his Beati- institutionalization of the
guese-speaking Countries in Rio fication. 4th July as the international
de Janeiro (Brazil). We are work- day of the Young
ing to organize a meeting with To maintain the importance of Vincentian, in memory
the francophone countries of the the representation work, as “Am- of Blessed Pier Giorgio
SSVP. bassador” of the vast network of Frassati as a point of
charity that is the SSVP, the Pres-
reference, hoping that the
In view of following the teach- ident General, Renato Lima who,
II International Days of the
ings of Saint Vincent de Paul, the over the past year, has visited 16
IGC has the intention of deepen- countries in different continents SSVP Youth in Salamanca,
ing our charism and spirituality. and in the current year, he has in the next month of
“Give me a man of prayer and he already visited many European, June 2018, will be an
will be able of anything,” Thus, it American and African countries unforgettable experience
is running a project that results (journeys that we echo in this is- for all.
in the preparation of spiritual sue of Ozanam Network).
reflections for all Vincentians,
which are published weekly in
the website www.ssvpglobal.org
and in the Facebook of the CGI,
as well as promoting publications
and works that features the main
figures and models of the SSVP.
In this regard, we highlight the
Thematic Years that are already
dedicated to each founding mem-
ber of the SSVP, Bailly in 2017;
and now Lallier in 2018, and the
proliferation of works and publi-
cation of books that bring us clos-
er to the origin and the heart of
the Conferences. It is also worth
noting the strong impulse and
International General Council
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18spirituality
F. Robert Maloney
Spititual Advisor IGC - SSVP
An extraordinary letter to a priest in Italy
named Thomas Pendola
On July 9, 1853, just two months before he died, Frederic Ozanam wrote Italy, Belgium, Scotland, Ireland,
an extraordinary letter to a priest in Italy named Thomas Pendola. Fred- England, Germany, the United
eric stated, “This dear Society is also my family. After God, it was the States, Holland, Greece, Turkey,
Society which kept my faith alive when I left my good, pious parents. So, Jerusalem, Switzerland, Austria,
I love it and cherish it from the bottom of my heart. Mexico, and Canada.
I have always been happiest when I saw how the good seeds it sowed What can we do to continue the
bore fruit and flourished … And above all, I have seen it do so much good growth of the Society within our
by strengthening so many young people in living virtuous lives … We countries and into new countries?
have conferences in Quebec and Mexico and Jerusalem … And we surely
have a conference in paradise, since, in the twenty years that the Society 4.- Knowing that his death
has existed, more than a thousand of its members have taken the road was imminent, Frederic
to a better life.” envisioned a huge conference
of a thousand members
Four things stand out in this brief citation. assembled before the Lord in
his Kingdom.
1.- The Society was a family to ethical principles were continually He expressed the same confi-
Frederic. challenged. Frederic, like Vincent dence that moved Vincent de
Of course, he deeply loved his wife de Paul, felt that service of the Paul to say in January 1657, “God
Amelie and his daughter Marie. poor, seeing Christ in them and loves the poor. Consequently, God
But he also cherished the mem- them in Christ, kept his faith alive. loves those who love the poor; for,
bers of the Society; they were his He was convinced that young when we truly love someone, we
second family. He wrote long, el- people would be drawn to Christ have an affection for his friends
oquent letters to them, visited the much more by the witness of ser- and for his servants. Now, since
poor with them, and remained an vice than by the witness of words. the (Society) strives to devote it-
active participant in his confer- self ardently to serve persons who
ence right up to his death. Mem- How well are we engaging the are poor, the well-beloved of God,
bers of the Society were not just young in each of our countries? we have good reason to hope that,
co-workers; they were – to use the because of our love for them, God
words of Vincent de Paul – “dear 3.- He saw the rapid expansion will love us. Come then, my dear
friends.” of the Society even in his brief brothers and sisters, let us devote
lifetime. ourselves with renewed love to
Are the members of my confer- A year after the Society was serve persons who are poor, and
ence “dear friends”? founded, there were a hundred even to seek out those who are
members. Seven years later, there the poorest and most abandoned.
2.- Frederic saw how were 2,000. By the time of Fred- Let us acknowledge before God
important the Society was for eric’s death, just 20 years after that they are our lords and mas-
young people. the Society was founded, there ters and that we are unworthy of
Frederic lived at a turbulent time were 50,000 members in numer- rendering them our little services.”
when his country experienced suc- ous countries throughout the
cessive revolutions. It was also a world. During his life, he saw the Do we share Frederic’s and Vin-
time when Catholic teaching and establishment of conferences in cent’s Christ-centered faith-vision?
International General Council
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19vincentian family
The Executive
Committee of
the International
Vincentian
Family meets in
the United States
Members of the International Executive Committee of the Famvin
Between 16th and 18th of The International Executive 2,000 registrations for the Film
January 2018, Bro. Renato Committee of FAMVIN is made Festival “Finding Vincent 400”.
Lima de Oliveira, 16th President up of seven branches, four of The result will be announced
General of the SSVP, took which are permanent members in Castel Gandolfo (Italy), be-
part in the annual meeting of (Congregation of the Mission, the tween 18th and 21st October
the International Executive Daughters of Charity, Internation- 2018, during an important
Committee of the Vincentian al Association of Charities and event.
Famíly (FAMVIN), which was the SSVP) and three are rotating, • On 26th, 27th and 28th Novem-
held at the central office of the non-permanent members (Sisters ber, also in Rome, the Interna-
Congregation of the Mission, of Charity of Strasburg, Brothers tional Vincentian Famíly will
in Philadelphia (United States). of Mercy and the Sisters of Chari- hold a large meeting to discuss
With him is Ricardo Tavares, ty). The term of office of the rotat- the situation of the homeless.
Vincentian Family Coordinator ing, non-permanent members is • Each international branch of
of the International General 5 years. Currently, among the 225 the Vincentian Famíly was invit-
Council (IGC). branches identified as possible ed to make a voluntary annual
members of the International Vin- contribution to the FAMVIN of-
centian Famíly, we saw that 100 of fice to support the global on-
For the President General, to be them are active and have a close going projects (the IGC already
part of the International Vincen- relationship with others. approved a regular donation of
tian Famíly is both a blessing and €20,000 per year).
joy. “For the SSVP, to belong to the The participants evaluated the • The Campaign “13 Houses”
Vincentian Family is truly an hon- Vincentian Symposium in Rome was approved as a specific ges-
our, and this is not a mere compli- as well as the rest of celebrations ture in the struggle for better
ment. Together, we are stronger. of the 400th anniversary of the housing for the poor of the
The Vincentian spirituality has be- Vincentian Charism. During the world (at least 13 houses will
queathed us a common charisma, three-day meeting, important de- be built for homeless families
although our branches have their cisions for the future of the Vin- in each country). More details
own identity. Therefore, I am very centian Family were made. These will be coming soon.
happy with the progress that the are some of the deliberations ap- • The setting up of a new work-
Vincentian Family has brought to proved in the meeting: ing Commission within the
all branches”, said Renato Lima. • An “International Cooperation Vincentian Family’s organiza-
During the meeting, the President Agreement” will be signed by tion was approved. The Inter-
General presented a summary of all the branches of the Vincen- national Commission for the
the General Council’s Activity Re- tian Famíly. The minutes of the Homeless (the President Gen-
port for 2017 and announced the text were already approved by eral has already appointed Gra-
International Thematic Year 2018 the present Vincentian officers. ham West, from Australia, as
of François Lallier. • There are already more than the SSVP representative at this
International General Council
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20vincentian family International meeting
ly (Haiti, Systemic Change, the
Homeless, Latin-American, Ex-
ecutive Committee and Collab-
oration).
• The next meeting of the Exec-
utive Committee is scheduled
for the 14th, 15th and 16th Janu-
ary 2019, also in Philadelphia,
a few days before the Vincen-
tian Youth International Gath-
ering to be held in San Carlos,
90 km away from the City of
Panamá, between 18th and 21st
January.
Taking advantage of the trip to
Philadelphia, after taking part in
Ricardo Tavares, P. Robert Maloney and Renato Lima
in the Vincentian Family’s meet-
ing, the President General visited
new commission). the world was circulated. several Conferences, Councils and
• The launching of a “Commu- • Great importance has been giv- Special Works run by the SSVP of
nication Department” within en to the strengthening of the the United States. He travelled
the Vincentian Famíly was ap- Vincentian Family’s National to the cities of Boston, Whitman,
proved, with representatives of Councils, at country level. Stoughton, Seekonk, Providence,
the various branches (the Pres- • From next year, there will be a Silver Spring and Washington.
ident General appointed Karl new rotating post in the Exec-
Hila, from the Czech Republic utive Committee. Thus, in the
as the SSVP representative at future, the Committee will con- The General
this new Department). sist of representatives of eight
Council
• A journalist will be hired in branches, being four fixed and
Rome to provide services to four rotating. This decision was would like to express
the Vincentian Family. made to further open the de- wholeheartedly their
• A working group will be set up cision-making and democratic gratitude to the American
to study the issues of religious process within the Internation- Vincentian brothers for
and lay leadership (for this al Vincentian Family. the warm welcome to the
function, President General • At the suggestion of the SSVP, President General, who
appointed Eduardo Marques, which is considered a “nursery
was accompanied by the
from Paraguay). of vocation”, from 2019 on-
• A working group made up of wards the International Vincen- fellow members Dave
young Vincentians will be cre- tian Family, in addition to the Barringer (President of
ated, in order to develop the efforts for the alliance of the the National Council), Ed
concept of Vincentian charism Homeless, will launch a cam- Keane (Vice-President of
from the youth’s point of view paign of Vincentian vocations IGC’s Institutional Relations)
(the IGC will be represented by (lay, religious, missionary and and Mike Nizankiewcz
Willian Alves, from Brazil, des- priest).
(ITVP America 1), as well as
ignated by the President Gen- • In January 2020, in Rome,
eral). an important event will take numerous local leaders, like
• The new itinerary of the pil- place with all the working Presidents of Conferences or
grimage to the relics of Saint commissions that make up the Councils.
Vincent de Paul throughout International Vincentian Fami-
International General Council
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21world news
LIBERIA:
new country joining the SSVP
It is with great pleasure that we announce that, after
several missionary visits and a demanding programme
of formation, the Society of St Vincent de Paul has been
officially established in LIBERIA.
but it was only now that the
seed fell on fertile ground and
we got the response for which
we had long hoped”.
The IGC is very grateful to
the National Councils of Nige-
ria, Sierra Leone and Zambia
for the wholehearted support
they provided, which includ-
Members of the SSVP Liberia ed sharing training documents
and finance. The President
Last August, representatives of from the capital). Today, SSVP has General expressed his deep per-
the Council General International already 156 members in Liberia. sonal gratitude to the following
(CGI), headed by the Vice President One key factor which facilitated Vincentians for their dedication to
for Africa 1, Brother Patrick the establishment of the SSVP in the Liberian project: Patrick Ebho-
Ebhojie, made visits to various LIBERIA was the strong support of jie, Veronica Nwokocha, Augustine
parishes and Dioceses where they the Catholic Church, whose bish- Inoh, Rosamond Sannoh, Christo-
met with ecclesiastical authorities, ops and priests were receptive to pher Chanda, Abraham Focko and
gave interviews to the media and the Vincentian ideal. James Doe.
invited the Catholic faithful to join
the SSVP. LIBERIA is an African country With the addition of LIBERIA,
with a population of 4 million, the SSVP is now established in
In December 2017, a success- of whom 85% are Christian. The 153 countries. The SSVP Plus Pro-
ful training meeting was held in Catholic Church is organised in ject aims to bring the SSVP to re-
which 77 people participated. The three Dioceses. gions of the world where it does
programme included talks on the not yet exist. The IGC welcomes
origins of the SSVP, our founders, Brother Renato Lima de Olivei- financial donations to support
the international structure and ra, 16th President General, gave this expansion of the SSVP to new
the daily work of the Conference. thanks to the Holy Spirit for the es- territories. We have identified 20
This formation made possible the tablishment of the SSVP in LIBERIA countries where, with God`s help,
establishment of 12 Conferences and explained that “the IGC had we can set up the SSVP where it
- 11 in the capital MONROVIA and attempted to establish the SSVP is needed in the service of those
1 in the city of GBARNGA (195km in LIBERIA in 2006, 2010 and 2013 who suffer materially or spiritually.
International General Council
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22world news
SSVP France
Mission to Vietnam
At the end of 2017, SSVP members from Yvelines (78) went
to Vietnam to meet their Vincentian counterparts
La Sociedad de San Vicente de Paúl está presente en The
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul has been present in
Vietnam since 1930, but Conference work was abruptly cut short been possible however between
in 1975 with the annexation of South Vietnam by the North. From Council General in Paris and the
1976 onwards, Vincentians worked in secret. Although the Socie- SSVP Vietnam, partly because of
ty’s activities were known to the authorities, SSVP Vietnam was the language barrier, as well as the
hosted in the cathedral of Đà Nẵng, with no official legal character. particular situation of the Society
there.
For several years now, SSVP France ity, which is well-established in Contact was restored with SSVP
has been involved in Vietnam, pro- the said country having official Vietnam in 2015, at the General
viding financial support for the recognition, so that money can Assembly in Rome, attended by a
works of the Daughters of Char- be sent to them.Little contact has member of the Society from Vi-
etnam. Then in 2016, the current
team of the Vietnamese Superi-
or Council made contact officially
with Council General, providing a
list of 27 Conferences.
Committee of the French
SSVP together with
Vietnamese co-partners
and collaborators
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23world news Vietnam
SSVP Projects to be implemented
The visit made by members of SSVP-Yvelines in December 2017
ACTIVITIES brought about a lot of information, highlighting the urgent need,
and requiring humanitarian projects to be established:
Building of a multi-purpose (physiotherapy) help to relieve
hall in Lương Văn (Huê the sufferings of these children
Surviving on local donations only, region) and their families.
the SSVP Vietnam has a very This village suffers from fre-
few financial resources but has quent flooding (2 or 3 times a Access to drinking water for
many committed volunteers. In year) and a safe place is essen- the village of Tam Thanh
Đà Nẵng, the SSVP conferences tial to house victims of weath- According to the inhabitants,
have 135 members. They focus er-related disasters, as well as the disabilities affecting these
their work mainly on helping the to provide a childcare center children are caused by water
deprived families. During the first which will benefit parents of polluted with chemical agents
Sunday of each month, the Con- very poor families, especially (including the dreadful “agent
ference at Đà Nẵng Cathedral dis- those who are working. During orange”) which were used dur-
tributes about 600 to 700 kg. of the latest flood in November ing the war (1963-1975). Access
rice to seventy families, which are 2017, 2 districts were badly af- to clean water is therefore an
among the poorest people in the fected, with the water reaching urgent humanitarian need, and
city. The Conference also provides a depth of a meter inside their the project has 2 aspects: drill-
some help in the form of money, houses. ing a well, about one hundred
especially for families living fur- meters deep, and installing a fil-
ther away, to cover their medical Food and medical help for tration system for the extracted
costs. seriously disabled children in water. According to the Vincen-
Tam Thanh tians who visited, a thorough in-
The Huế region has 10 Confer- The local parish priest has iden- vestigation is needed to give an
ences with 140 members. Every tified around sixty children, accurate location of the source
week, it receives donations from within a radius of five kilome- of the pollution, before commit-
its members, mainly sacks of rice. ters, with severe mental and ting spending significant funds.
There is also an annual parish ap- physical disabilities, very seri-
peal for each Conference. ous physical defects, or serious SSVP Vietnam will also submit
illnesses. These children from twinning applications along
The second most important very poor families receive no with these projects, in order to
work of the Huế conferences is to medical treatment. The aim receive the spiritual and mate-
take care of the abandoned chil- is to increase the amount of rial support from French con-
dren, whose mothers are most contact with the families, pro- ferences, for instance, provid-
often single young women. They viding both regular human and ing care and housing for elderly,
do this together with the religious moral support for them, as well impoverished people in the Me-
sisters who provide accommoda- as medical and para-medical kong delta region.
tion for young women, so they
can give birth quietly, without the
knowledge of their own families.
Despite the obstacles, help continues to come
strongly for the neediest people in Vietnam, in particular
through the involvement of Vietnamese volunteers and with fi-
nancial support from France. Nothing can stop Vincentians!
International General Council
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24world news
SIS ANGELA FRANCIS,
HEAD, OZANAM EDUCATION PROGRAMME
Ozanam Education
Programme
In 2014, SSVP Malaysia was blessed with the mission of
hosting the Pan-Asia Congress 8 (PANASCO ) in Kuala Lum-
pur, Malaysia
team was set up, and having
worked on this program with
PANASCO is the help of a number of expe-
a gathering of SSVP leaders rienced educationists for the During one of the classes
within the Asia Pacific and past 2- 3 years, the SSVP Malay-
Oceania countries. Held every sia is proud to say that they have
4 to 5 years, it is principally developed an effective “stage by ized in the interest of the students.
aimed at re-invigorating our stage” education program, in 3 The OEP program is designed in-
Society within the region disciplines: English, Mathemat- dependent of any school syllabus.
which has several commonal- ics and Computer literacy. They It has structured syllabus in place
ities. had done a number of trial runs with simple lesson plans to help
and have established 9 teaching guide our volunteer teachers de-
centers in Malaysia. With this, liver their lessons in an effective
Looking back at the PANASCO they are more than ready to take manner. The progress of the stu-
gatherings of the recent past and the OEP to the Asean region to dents is assessed through profi-
having regard to the fact that PA- jump-start the Outreach. ciency levels; it is not age-based
NASCO has been slowly deteri- but proficiency based. The stu-
orating into a mere “talk shop” The syllabi, format, teaching ma- dent is never rushed to the next
with no tangible results to show, terial and methods were standard- level until he or she understands
it was decided that PANASCO 8
had to have at least one tangible
result that could be the start of a
sustainable program towards sys-
temic change.
It was decided at PANASCO 8
that a Young Vincentian Outreach
aimed at Empowerment Through
Education program should be the
primary target or desired result.
SSVP Malaysia then embarked
on a program called the Ozanam
Education Program (“OEP”) to em-
power the poorest of the poor by
teaching them English, Mathemat-
ics and Computer literacy. A core Activity for children in a rural environment
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25world news Ozanam Education Programme
IT classes for refugee women
It is hoped that the
Young Vincentians
in the region
would participate
in this initiative by
volunteering as
teachers. This will be
a good opportunity
for them to channel
what is being taught at the current beginning August, 2018. Towards
level. In this manner, each student this end, SSVP Philippines have
their talents, energy
can learn at his or her own pace agreed to provide volunteer teach- and youth towards
and ability. The aim through the ers and SSVP Malaysia would pro- this cause that will not
program is to ensure that both vide the requisite training in Kua- only benefit the poor
children and adults acquire living la Lumpur. SSVP Indonesia as the
skills through basic education and host outpost would facilitate the they serve but also to
build their self-confidence along “on the ground” requirements. enrich their own lives.
the way.
In March 2017, when our Presi-
dent-General, Bro. Renato, visited
Malaysia, they gathered the SSVP
leaders from the Asean region and
everyone unanimously agreed to
go with the OEP. Having further
fine-tuned the OEP, it was offi-
cially launched in February 2018
in Malaysia by a prominent Ma-
laysian philanthropist and a great
supporter of the Society. The ITVP,
Bro Thomas Tan and leaders from
Singapore, Philippine, Indone-
sia, Cambodia and Australia were
present.
Classes for children from an urban environment
While Brother Graham West
(President, SSVP Australia) could
not make it in time for the Official
launch on his way back from CGI
Paris, he was present at the infor-
mal post-launch meeting.
Given that the Vincentian Con-
gregation & SSVP from Surabaya
were the most persistent advo-
cate, it was decided that the maid-
en Outreach would be in Surabaya Computer classes for refugee children
International General Council
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26ssvp youth
Mini World Youth Day in Durban, This stall allowed MWYD partici-
pants to explore options towards
South Africa meeting their personal calling. The
SSVP stand stood out for the vi-
brancy of its youth who loved the
In December The pilgrimage presented a unique opportunity to learn and share in-
opportunity for South African Vin- formation about Blessed Frederic
2017, the Southern centian youth to meet, engage Ozanam and the history of SSVP.
African Catholic with and form connections with The Vincentians enjoyed sharing
Vincentian youth from various their individual experiences of
Bishops Conference parts of Southern Africa. The Vin- what it means to be members of
(spearheaded by centian pilgrims danced, praised,
contemplated in meditation and
SSVP and how this has been ex-
pressed in the works that they do
Cardinal Napier spiritual reflection, took (plenty in their respective conferences
of) selfies and received the bless-
OFM) hosted a Mini ed Eucharist in union with each
and communities.
World Youth Day other and the MWYD pilgrims. The joy of meeting other young
MWYD was for Vincentian pilgrims people who were interested in
(MWYD) pilgrimage a chance to share ideas for grow- knowing about the work of SSVP
in Durban, South ing and working together beyond and wanting to do more in their
online group messages. own communities and lives was
Africa. Over 3000 nothing short of excitement!
Catholic youth, from Gathered together, the energy Many of them identified SSVP as a
of the Vincentian family umbrella potential vocation.
various southern was palpable. A case in point was
African the SSVP stall at the vocations fair. The highlight of MWYD was the
gathering of Vincentians
countries, on stage to present SSVP
gathered under goodie hampers to the
youth that have entered
the theme: “The the stall competition.
mighty one has All the participants ex-
pressed their interest in
done great things establishing or joining a
for me and Holy conference in their area.
The Vincentians, dressed
is His name.” in an array of different
coloured t-shirts that
represented which are-
as they came from high-
lighted the beauty of di-
versity within SSVP and
demonstrated that it is
an organisation that is
open to all.
A further highlight was
the presentation of SSVP
thank you hampers to
various members of the
clergy who had been in-
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27You can also read
