Superior General makes pilgrimage to Rue du Bac
During the past four hundred years our Vincentian spirituality and service on behalf of those persons who are poor has produced much fruit. May the deepening of our Vincentian charism make each one of us a “mystic of charity” during the XXI century.
May Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Saint Vincent, Saint Louise, Saint Catherine and all the saints and blesseds of the Vincentian Family intercede for us.
Come to the foot of the altar where many graces will be distributed … May the Blessed Mother fill Father Tomaž with grace so that, in accord with the expressed wish of Saint Louise de Marillac he might safeguard the identity and vitality of the Vincentian spirit in the Company of the Daughters of Charity (Constitutions #2).
Before his departure for Rome where he would begin his new mission as Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission and the Company of the Daughters of Charity, as well as Director General of various branches of the Vincentian Family, Father Tomaž Maverič made a pilgrimage to Paris where he was able to venerate the relics of our holy Founders, Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Louise de Marillac. The Superior General placed his office and his mission under the loving care and the protection of our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.
He first visited the Motherhouse of the Congregation of the Mission. There he presided at the Sunday liturgy in the chapel of Saint Vincent de Paul. At the end of the celebration he venerated the urn which contains the relics of Saint Vincent. After sharing a meal with the confreres there was time for a dialogue during which Father Tomaž shared his surprise when during the celebration of World Youth Day in Poland it was announced that Saint Vincent had been named as the patron of all Europe. He spoke about wanting to take advantage of this opportunity to make Vincent known throughout the world.
On the following day, the feast of the Assumption, the Superior General celebrated the Eucharist with the pilgrims at the Rue du Bac. He also prayed before the relics of Saint Louise and Saint Catherine and then knelt before the image of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal where he paused for some moments of silence and contemplation.
During the following days he met with the General Council of the Daughters of Charity in the Motherhouse on the Rue du Bac. He also spent some time with the elderly members of the Congregation and of the Company of the Daughters of Charity and celebrated the Eucharist with them.
We ask God to enrich the mission of the new Superior General as he gives witness to the world of the relevancy of the Vincentian charism.
Translated: Charles Plock, CM
