The Superior General is considered to be the successor of Saint Vincent and governs the destiny of the Congregation according to the Constitutions and Statutes. He is elected by the General Assembly for a period of six years and can be re-elected for another six years.
In the Constitutions the superior general is described as the center of unity and coordination of all the provinces. Consequently he ought to be a source of encouragement for their life together and their apostolic activity.
The present superior general, Father G. Gregory Gay was born in Baltimore, Md., USA on October 8, 1953. He entered the Congregation on August 8, 1973 and was ordained a priest on May 5, 1980. He was elected by the General Assembly of 2004 for a period of six years.
News published about the superior general
In his own words (an interview that took place immediately after his election (Vincentiana, 204)
G. Gregory Gay, elected 24th Superior General on July 15, 2004
- Tell us something about your life.
- I was born in 1953 in the city of Baltimore, Maryland. I am the second of ten children, and my parents are still living. My connection to the Congregation began with an uncle who was a Vincentian and who worked in the Republic of Panama. When I was young, he used to tell me about his missionary experiences; and that was where my vocation began. I was ordained in 1980. I worked four years in formation at the philosophy level, at the same time serving as a teacher in Niagara University. In 1985 1 went to Panama and worked in a missionary parish, and later on as a formator at the levels of philosophy and theology, and also as Novice Master. I also worked in another missionary parish. I served as coordinator of the Eastern Province’s mission in Panama. In February of 2000 I was named Visitor of the Central American Province. Not long ago, I was reelected for a four-year term. And here I am.
Was it hard for vou to say yes” when the moderator asked you if you accepted the election?
- Yes, it was, even though I was somewhat prepared. It was hard because Fr. Maloney has set the bar very high. But I love the Congregation and I am willing to do whatever God wants.
- Does this new job and all its responsibility frighten you?
- Well, I have only been in the job a few minutes. But I know from experience all the challenges involved with being provincial. You would have to multiply those challenges by more than 50 provinces and then throw in the Daughters of Charity and the Vincentian Family.
- What are your first three wishes for the Congregation of the Mission?
- Missionary zeal; deepening and strengthening our fraternal bonds, not just at the local level, but also at the provincial and interprovincial levels; and that our spirit of prayer attract many young men to the Mission.
- The Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission is also the Superior General of the Daughters of Charity. What would be your first message for them?
- Let me begin with an anecdote. My first pastoral assignment as a young priest was as chaplain to the Daughters of Charity. I am grateful to God for the example of prayer, humility and service of those Daughters. Ever since then, I have always had a special affection for the Daughters. And I wish that we, the Daughters and the Congregation of the Mission, can always work together effectively for the poor, our lords and masters.
- And for the wider Vincentian Family?
- One of the things that has energized me most in recent years has been the resurgence of the Vincentian lay movements. I was, until a few minutes ago, the National Director of the Vincentian Marian Youth in Guatemala. I came to this Assembly with the idea of doing everything possible to reaffirm our work in collaboration with lay people, and at the same time to promote their formation.
- How do you feel right now?
- I am calm and joyful. I feel loved and supported by the confreres. We have a beautiful Congregation.
Role, Responsbilities and Duration of Office
The Congregation of the Mission Community of Priests and Brothers (Society of Apostolic Life) in the Roman Catholic Church. “Superior General” is the official title given to the leader of the Congregation of the Mission. In English speaking countries, members of the Congregation of the Mission are known variously as “Vincentian Priests and Brothers”, “Vincentian Fathers and Brothers”, “Vincentians”, or even “the Vins”. Each Superior General is regarded as the successor of St Vincent de Paul, the founder and first Superior General of the Congregation. The Congregation of the Mission is organized into provinces, each with a Provincial Superior referred to as the “Provincial” or the “Visitor”.
The Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission is also the Superior General of the Daughters of Charity.
The role and responsibilities of the Superior General are set out in the Constitutions of the Congregation of the Mission (Part Three, Chapter 1 Central Administration). The Superior General is elected by the members of a General Assembly of the Congregation of the Mission for a six year term and can be re-elected for a second six year term. He ceases to hold office with the acceptance of office by his successor, or by his resignation accepted by a General Assembly or the Holy See.
See the Gallery of the Superiors General
Seal of the Superior General