This year’s Saint Vincent Feast was particularly solemn among all the Vincentian Family. It signified the beginning of this Vincentian Jubilee Year. A year dedicated not only to evoke past memories, but to also revitalize present projects and encourage dreams for the future. 350 years and the Mission continues and we want it to go forth. The Mission is the central theme for this year of celebrations, the Superior General reminded us in the introductory letter for this Vincentian year.
Here in Rome, where the General Curia of the Congregation of the Mission is located, we have celebrated the inauguration of the Jubilee Year in communion with all of the Vincentian Family from the region of Lazio, Italy. At five thirty we celebrated a solemn Eucharist, in the Lateran Basilica, the Cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope. The celebration was presided by hHs Excellency Cardinal Vallini, His Holiness’ Vicar for the Diocese of Rome. Along with him there were four bishops, the Vincentians Bishop. Berhaneyyesus Demerew Souraphiel; Archbishop of Adis Abeba, Bishop. Marc Benjamin Balthason, bishop of Farafangana, Bishop. Luca Brandolini, Bishop emeritus of Sora, Aquino & Pontecorvo and Bishop Giiorgio Cobernelli from the oOfice of Labor for the Holy See. Some forty Vincentian and Diocesan priests completed the number of concelebrants.
At the beginning of the celebration, the Visitor of Rome, Fr. Nicola Albanesi, introduced the Cardinal to all of the Vincentian Family that were present in the Cathedral, which were made up of the different organizations and associations, religious and laity, an expression of the Vincentian charism in Rome, in Lazio. The priests of the Congregation of the Mission, the Daughters of Charity, the Sisters of Charity of Saint Joan Antide Thouret, the Sisters of Charity of Zagreb, the Marian Association, the Vincentian Volunteers (GVV – AIC – Italia), the Saint Vincent de Paul Society and different associations that have some relationship with our institutes. Filling the central nave of the Basilica, many who perceive God’s charity in the committed lives of the followers of the Vincentian Charism.
The Vincentian Charism, the Visitor of Rome continued, has surprising actuality. Throughout history it has been incarnated in many forms, and has given origin to a extraordinary number of religious institutes, associations, and organizations that have made charity their mission. As time has passed, Saint Vincent has inspired extraordinary experiences of charity, and diverse in nature. Their prophetic options, their great intuition, along with some of their passions and priorities, today are a common patrimony for those who work with the poor. If today we can speak of gratitude, solidarity, co-participation, volunteer work, charitable actions (that are not limited to simple assistance, but overall prevention, cultural animation, social action, an integral promotion of the person as a whole) are all in debt to Vincent. If we can see clearer in the field of charity, it is because he opened our eyes to the reality of the poor and has marked a path for us to walk.
At the time of the offertory a reproduction of Saint Louise’ painting of The Lord of Charity was uncovered, as an expression of how today’s Vincentian Family understands charity as a mission., the mission of Christ who was sent by the Father into the world to manifest his love for all. This was the exact message the Cardinal expressed in his homily.
This is how the local Church of Rome, celebrated its communion with the Universal Church and with the Worldwide Vincentian Family.
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