In July, according to an ancient tradition, the inhabitants of the municipality of Casagiove, located in the province of Caserta in Campania, gather to celebrate the Vecchierello [The Old Gentleman], as he is affectionately called; the feast of Saint Vincent de Paul has already become a unmissable event. This year, despite the COVID-19 pandemic and with all the necessary care, the parish is preparing a special celebration. The communications office interviewed the parish priest, Father Stefano Giaquinto, a diocesan priest, who became an affiliate of the Congregation of the Mission at the request of the Italian Province last year.
Dear Don Stefano, tell us briefly about yourself.
I have been a priest for 25 years (May 27, 1995). I come from a humble family. My family history and the Vincentian charism led me to become a priest. St. Vincent with his love for the poor has been fundamental in my spiritual growth. Today I am parish priest of the Mother Church of my city, Casagiove 
(Caserta), the church that generated me in the faith: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Orders … where I have always lived in contact with poverty – addictions. I am happy to be a priest and to be a Vincentian.
Can you tell us briefly how the veneration of Saint Vincent de Paul in Casagiove began?
The certain date is 1821, following a mission by the Vincentians. The intervention of the Saint stopped the cholera. From there began the devotion to the French saint that grows from one generation to the next, thanks to many other moments involving the life of the city and touching the heart of every believer.
What does preparing the village festival of Saint Vincent entail? How is it done? Who participates in it and how are the people involved?
There is a special relationship between the Old Gentleman and the city. These are special days; nobody misses it. All the citizens, even those who have emigrated for work, are overwhelmed by the experience of the “San Vincenzo” of Casagiove. There is a billboard that promotes spirituality, formation, charity, and animation. In recent years much has been done to purify it according to the magisterium of Bergoglio, Pope Francis. The road has been marked out. The feast of the saint is a miracle for the city.
How do young people live out the veneration of Saint Vincent?
There are very many who adhere to the Vincentian experience. They live it firsthand, I would say from the womb. There is a unique relationship that opens the heart to volunteering, to giving oneself to the needy brother or sister.
How do you spread it?
From family to family – there is no home without a small shrine, an image and … training initiatives, in recent years thanks to the collaboration with the [Vincentian] fathers of the Borgo dei Vergini in Naples. We need more presence of the fathers – that’s a shortage. These people must be cured from top to 
bottom.
Are there any miracles in the village related to the veneration of Saint Vincent?
Certainly, in the last several years: Antimo with cancer – it has been very difficult to overcome, but he won the battle; Domenico, a young 17-year-old who struggles with leukemia, has now resumed his life; and there are many others. He is ever present I always say. There are many miracles.
Saint Vincent taught us to serve the poor, our teachers. How is this teaching lived out in the parish, and in a practical way?
The program of our reality is to serve. In 2015, we created the Vincentian network. It operates in the field of marginalization. Here is a list of some areas where we are present: The Table of the Poor; the inn of Mother Teresa of Calcutta (a food collection center) with monthly distribution and in cases of need; Casa “de’Paoli” (DePaul House) a center for clothing and showers; the poverty observatory; “Mario Diana,” the medical clinic; the Centro Nazareno, operating in the field of addictions; the Camper “Capitan Uncino” (Captain Hook) working with the ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale, a local health center), present on the highway (trafficking and …); after school and … Vincent’s school, always ready to look after and construct the way for the poor. The network is coordinated by the GVV (Vincentian Volunteers), among the ranks we have the interdiocesan president, with the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent, an internal reality that has about a hundred young women; the Vincentian Volunteers, about fifty men and women; Vincenzolab, only about thirty men; the Partners, over two hundred men; the Volunteer Army. The basic issue is the need of your presence, for everyone, and for a well-made mission in this territory.
You have received an affiliation to the Congregation of the Mission from the superior general; what does this mean for you?
For me, it’s a reason to do more – even a little done well moves me. I am in love with the Old Gentleman. I thank the superior general. This attestation from the Congregation of the Mission and the Vincentian Family encourages me and my people to become more involved according to the charisma of the son of the swineherd.
What does your parish need to grow in the Vincentian charism?
Your presence – and the Sisters … – start a Vincentian project.
Which sentence from Saint Vincent or which teaching of his do you want to share with us?
“The poor are our masters,” the true wealth of the Church. Vincent’s folly of daring. Do not stay in a nicely wrapped church but in a “discarded” church. Vincent’s message is current, now more than ever.
