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20th-23rd August 2017: Three days of spiritual renewal in Châtillon to celebrate our 400th anniversary!

Would you like to take some time for reflection and spiritual renewal to retrace and re-experience the work of St Vincent de Paul, a ‘hero’ of Charity and a leader of men and women in the service of God and the most disadvantaged people?

Don’t hesitate to register for three days of reflection to revisit the event that founded the Charities and make the most of the charm of this beautiful medieval village and the peaceful countryside that surrounds it.

Flyer with the programme for the 3 days (in French)

A celebration on 23rd August across the whole of the AIC network, 150,000 volunteers celebrating the foundation of AIC at the same time!

Why 23rd August? Because it’s the date that Saint Vincent gave the First Rule to the newly formed Ladies of Charity group.  Indeed, the previous Sunday on 20th August, St Vincent, the brand new parish priest in Châtillon, had called for support for a family “in unspeakable distress” during his Sunday homily.  Following this request, many women in Châtillon had visited the family that afternoon, and St Vincent had seen that it was necessary to organise this charity.

Where and how to celebrate on 23rd August:

  • Either with AIC International, in Châtillon itself, from 20th-23rd August: 3 days of celebration of the first group of Ladies of Charity. All AIC volunteers are welcome to participate, individually or as a group. You can register and find accommodation by following the indications given in this flyer or in the AIC 400th anniversary pilgrimages guides.
  • Or in your local and national associations: You could meet up in your parish at the daily Mass and ask the priest celebrating the Mass to let you read solemnly together the 400th anniversary commitment prayer.

Why not organise a retreat for the occasion?

If you have external guests, don’t forget to present them AIC as it is today, using this video.

  • If you are unable to get together with other AIC volunteers on that day, we suggest that you read the prayer at 10am, local time, in union with other volunteers across the world.

In this way, on 23rd August, a great wave of prayers will be sent up to Heaven.

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