In an article entitled “Jubilee: Charity and Mission” Fr. Agostinho Sousa, CM, Provincial Secretary, writes of two signficant anniversaries in Portugal – 400th anniversary of the origin of the Vincentian Charism and the 300th anniversary of the presence of the Congregation of the Mission in Portugal
In 2017 throughout the world we celebrate the 400th anniversary of the birth of the Vincentian charism. The words of Vincent de Paul: these people are dying of hunger and are damned, inspired concrete responses to meet the needs of his era and has continued to animate Vincentian activity throughout these past four centuries. Charity and Mission — elements proper to all those individuals who seek to follow the Saint of Charity, also known as the “mystic of action” (Dodin, “St. Vincent de Paul mystique de l’action religieuse”, Mission et Charité, #29-30, January-April, 1968, p. 26-47).
In this part of the world known as Portugal, we have another reason to celebrate and praise the Father of Mercy who desired to establish the Congregation of the Mission in the midst of “this garden near the sea”. For three hundred years courageous men have not only proclaimed the Good News to the people of this country but have brought the same Good News to other continents. These individuals were often persecuted and some of them shed their blood as they wrote the wonderful history that recounts their dedication to Jesus, the Evangelize of the Poor and their commitment to Vincent de Paul, the father of the poor.
The Episcopal Conference in Portugal, aware of the Jubilee Year and the presence of the sons and daughters of Saint Vincent and the presence of the whole Vincentian Family, gave formal recognition to that reality on November 10th, 2016 (a day proximate to the commemoration of the arrival of Father Gomes da Costa in Lisbon). The Bishops referred to certain challenges: Strengthen the “new ardor”, search for “new methods” and embrace “new expressions” in the transmission of the Vincentian DNA to new generations; accept the call of the Church and the world to permanent renewal … renewal that is faithful to the lines of the mystique of charity; commit yourselves to confront all those situations that degrade the dignity of the human person!
Jubilee celebrations and the presence of the Superior General
On January 25th, the local communities of the Province of Portugal, together with the Vincentian Family and all the People of God, participated in various festive celebrations.
In Lisbon, the seat of the Province, the official opening of the Jubilee Year took place on January 28-29 in the parish church of Saint Thomas Aquinas. On January 28th, the superior general, Thomaž Mavrič, CM, was welcomed into our midst and was the guest of honor at a concert that was offered by the choir of the parish church. The music selected was: Bach’s Mass in C Minor. The concert was followed by a toast which was offered in a manner very typical to the Portuguese. There was then an opportunity to view the exposition which told the history of the presence of the Congregation during the past 300 years (the exposition was arranged in several rooms with ten different themes).
The climax of the day was the celebration of the Eucharist which was presided by the superior general. The concelebrants included Father Jose Alves (Visitor), Nélio Pita (Pastor) and fourteen other priests. Father Mavrič captivated the assembly as he celebrated the Eucharist in Portuguese. The children of the parish offered Father some commemorative gifts (the parish has always been administered by the Congregation). After the Mass a dinner was offered at the Motherhouse.
The Vincentian Family gathered together to give thanks
On Sunday, January 29th, a large multitude of people, which included people from many different branches of the Vincentian Family, gathered together to celebrate the Eucharist (which was televised throughout the country). The Mass was presided by the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon, Manuel José Macário do Nascimento Clemente. Also participating were: the superior general, Thomaž Mavrič, CM and the Vincentian Bishop-emeritus of Portalegre-Castelo, Augusto César. Three deacon ministered at the altar and some thirty priests concelebrated. The liturgy had been prepared by the members of the Vincentian Family, parishioners and the choir of Saint Thomas Aquinas. In his homily. the cardinal praised the Congregation of the Mission and its founder, Saint Vincent de Paul … a man who lived the Sermon on the Mount and who lived in accord with the words: desire what God desires, act in accord with the manner in which God desires to act and where God desires to act.
After the Eucharist, a parish group (the Saint Martha Society) served a luncheon which included a cake on which were the words “400 years of the charism”. In the afternoon, the superior general met with the members of the Vincentian Family, during which he offered some suggestions with regard to the manner in which they might live this holy year and do so in accord with the activities that have already been planned. He emphasized that all their activity during these next twelve months should be oriented to our theme: I was a stranger and you welcomed me. Later in the evening Father went to the central house of the Daughters of Charity where he prayed Vespers with them and dined with them. After the meal, he had a dialogue with the Sisters.
Work and Visit to Fatima
January 30th began with Morning Prayer and was followed by a meeting of the Provincial Council. There the superior general came to a greater understanding of the history of the province and the challenges that the confreres must confront in the coming years. Father thanked the confreres for their cordial reception and reminded them about the lines of action from the 2016 General Assembly.
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the appearances at Fatima, representatives from the Congregation of the Mission and the Company of the Daughters of Charity accompanied the superior general to Fatima, where they prayed together at the feet of the Virgin.
All those who met with the superior general during his time in our province commented on his simplicity, humility, approachability, calmness, and openness. We believe that the superior general was content with his visit and promised that he would return. At the same time we were happy and thankful for his presence. We pray that he will soon return to be among us and we also pray that God will help him fulfill his mission.
Translated: Charles T. Plock, CM
