VINCENTIAN FAMILY
The International Vincentian Family was created as such in 1995, to form a powerful force to help people living in poverty to achieve radical change in their lives.
It is formed of the following branches: AIC (International Association of Charities), CM (Congregation of the Mission), CDC (Company of the Daughters of Charity), SSVP (Society of Saint Vincent de Paul), VMY (Vincentian Marian Youth), AMM (Association of the Miraculous Medal), and MISEVI (Secular Vincentian Missionaries). Moreover, in the last few years, other Associations that share the Vincentian Charism have been invited to join, and now form part of this great family.
Every 2 years there is a big Gathering attended by many of the branches (there are now approximately 280), whose mission and charism come from the vision of Saint Vincent de Paul. The Coordinators of Vincentian Family National Councils and Commissions are also invited to this meeting.
THE 400TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF VINCENTIAN CHARISM
- International Symposium of the Vincentian Family
To celebrate the 400th anniversary of Vincentian charism, the Vincentian Family is inviting all its members to participate in the Symposium that it is organising in Rome from 12th-15th October 2017, to celebrate this great event with Pope Francis in Rome.
To register and to get the programme and the practical info, go to the FamVin’s anniversary website.
- A global initiative of the Vincentian Family for its 400th anniversary: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me”
To celebrate the 400th anniversary, all the Vincentian Family members across the world are invited to to look at how we can better welcome strangers in our communities.
For more information, see the official call from the FamVin.
OPERATION
There is an FAMVIN Executive Committee (VFEC), formed of the 4 main branches: AIC, CM, CDC (all of which were founded by Saint Vincent de Paul) and SSVP. From 2016, the following three branches also belong to the Committee in rotation: Sisters of Charity of the Strasbourg Federation, Brothers of the Congregation of Mary, Mother of Mercy and Daughters of Charity of the North American Federation.
The Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission, as spiritual successor of Saint Vincent de Paul, acts as Coordinator of the Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee meets once a year, makes decisions, offers recommendations and approves the activities of the Vincentian Family (FamVin), such as:
- Annual topics of reflection for the Vincentian Family
- Choosing the biennial topic for the International Leaders’ Meeting(*)
- Establishment of mandates for Vincentian Family Commissions
- Appointment of Coordinators and members of FamVin Commissions
- Appointment of a Coordinator and team for the FamVin Office
- Determining the needs of the FamVin and its response to these needs, especially for the creation of new Commissions.
- Annual inspection of operational budgets.
In 2015 the Office of the International Vincentian Family separated from the Curia of the Congregation of the Mission in Rome, and transferred its base to Philadelphia, USA. The Vincentian Family Office (VFO) coordinates activities, provides information and shares training experience on the legacy and charism of Saint Vincent de Paul with all the branches of the Vincentian Family around the world. This includes promotion of joint communications and work among the various branches of the Vincentian Family, along with opportunities for leading, strengthening and developing this joint work.
COMMISIONS
Within FAMVIN there are three Commissions, namely:
1) The Commission for Promoting Systemic Change
2) The Commission for the Vincentian Family Initiative in Haiti
3) The Vincentian Family Collaboration Commission
Up to a point, all these Commissions share a common purpose: to assist the Vincentian Family in its service of those living in poverty. It is therefore important for the commissions to study the way in which each can benefit the other.
The Commissions seek dialogue among themselves, to reach the best ways of working together within the Vincentian Family.
Some specific ways of encouraging dialogue include:
- Using social networks
- Interconnecting the Commissions’ websites
- Exchanging best practices and lessons learned, for the mutual benefit of all.