the Vincentian Family
AIC is part of the Vincentian Family, which incorporates all the associations founded by St. Vincent de Paul or inspired by his mission.
350th anniversary of the deaths of Saint Vincent and Saint Louise: www.famvin.org
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and then on your language (English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Polish)
to view documents and information of events, celebrations and planned initiatives
for the occasion of the anniversary.
This message is aimed at all those people who would like to help Haiti both effectively and safely. Knowing how you take social issues to heart, I suggest that you do this through Zafen, an initiative created by the Vincentian Family and the Commission for Systemic Change, of which I am a member. Zafen is a Creole word, meaning: « It is our responsibility ». It is the name which has been given to an initiative to support Haiti through microcredit projects and grants aimed at children and young people. This involves helping young people who have lost the opportunity to study in Haiti, a country which constantly suffers from disasters and is one of the poorest countries on the planet. To gather together these projects, the Support Committee for Haiti has created a website. For many of us, this website is just the opportunity we were looking for. The website address is:
There we can find wonderful initiatives, for example the grant programme. With just 50 US dollars (or the equivalent in other currencies) you can pay for the education of a Haitian child for a whole year, including school supplies such as pens, pencils, and notebooks etc. and any other items that the child needs. In addition, Fr Gregory Gay C.M., Superior General of the Fathers of the Mission (the Vincentian priests), has promised to provide another grant for each of the first 500 grants!!! Looking through the website, we can find numerous projects and initiatives to support.
We can do so much with very little. We must help the people of Haiti to emerge from their poverty, and to go beyond the initial aid stage, even though that is still so urgently needed at first. The projects and initiatives which are offered through Zafen are educational projects and projects to improve the lot of the individual. Their aim is to provide an opportunity to change the lives of those who have suffered so much.
I hope that this option will be just what you were looking for, and that you will tell your family and friends all about it.
With warmest greetings and best wishes,
Patricia P. de Nava
Commission for Systemic Change
Download Show text reflection 1: Remembering Vincent and Louise two great prophets of charity
Download Show text reflection 2 : Vincentian Spirituality - an Encounter with Christ in the Poor
Download Show text reflection 3: The spirit of saint Vincent de Paul
Download Show text reflection 4: Spirit of Louise de Marillac
Download Show text reflection 5: Who is Jesus for Vincent?
Download Show text reflection 6: Who is Jesus for Louise de Marillac?
Download Show text reflection 8: Evangelization of the poor
Download Show text reflection 9: Poverty in the world
Father Gregory Gay's C.M., reflections about lenten.
(25 februari 2009)
07 October 2008
To: Members of the Vincentian Family
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
May the peace and joy of Christ evangelizer of the poor be with you always!
After the meeting last February of the Vincentian Family International Presidents and Heads, we launched the celebration of the 350th anniversary (2010) of the death of St. Vincent de Paul and of St. Louise de Marillac. Today I am happy to send you materials on the plans and programs for this anniversary on the international level.
Our celebration will primarily focus on honoring St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac as witnesses and examples of love and service of the poor. Concretely in this time of grace we will seek to deepen our Vincentian charism and spirituality as well as our relationship with the poor and with one another, and to celebrate their heritage by, among other things, promoting the service of the poor through concrete projects in partnership with other organizations in the Church and in society, particularly projects that bring about systemic change in the lives of the poor.
In view of all this, we formed various committees to coordinate at the international level the activities that would carry out these objectives. Thus, the Heritage Committee will coordinate sessions and programs relative to reflection on and deepening of our Vincentian spirituality. The Celebration Committee will take care of the major liturgical celebrations during these occasions. And the Projects Committee will coordinate plans towards a collaborative project. These Committees, together with two auxiliary committees – Finance, and Secretariat - will assist the International Executive Coordinators headed by Fr. Josef Kapusciak CM, with the help of Sr Palmarita Guida DC and Fr. Manuel Ginete CM. A more precise picture of the responsibilities of these committees is outlined in the attachment I am sending you.
The above-mentioned structure for the 350th anniversary celebration, although primarily for the international level of the Vincentian Family, may be adopted on the continental or national levels of the Vincentian Family, if they so wish. Certainly, a similar structure will facilitate our coordination on various levels and with various branches, and thus make our celebration a truly international event.
The year 2010 is likewise the 150th anniversary of the death of St. Justin de Jacobis, our celebrated missionary in Abyssinia (Ethiopia), on whose missiological contributions a study has been made recently. It would indeed be a wonderful occasion for all of us in the Vincentian Family to be imbued once again with the love for the poor and the mission that St. Vincent, St. Louise, and St. Justin have so beautifully exemplified in their lives and works.
Once more, wishing you the special blessings at the time of these great anniversaries, I remain
Your brother in St. Vincent de Paul,
G. Gregory Gay, C.M. Superior General
“I beg the Lord to renew all of you in his Spirit,
so that all your undertakings will belong to him
and the fruits obtained will lead you to eternal life.”
(Letter to J. Martin, SV, VIII, 333)
