Vincentian Family Symposium to be Held This Weekend

The Vincentian family will gather in Rome, Italy, this weekend to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Vincentian charism at t
October 11, 2017

The Vincentian family will gather in Rome, Italy, this weekend to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Vincentian charism at the International Symposium of the Vincentian Family. Rev. Tomaž Mavric, C.M., Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission, invited the Vincentian family earlier this year to meet in Rome to focus on this year’s theme, “Welcome the Stranger.”

The symposium begins on Thursday, October 12, and continues through Sunday, October 15. Key features of the event include an audience with Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday, and the opportunity to pray before the reliquary with the Heart of St. Vincent, which is on a journey throughout the world during this anniversary year.

“The 400th anniversary of the charism provides us with the perfect opportunity to celebrate our Vincentian heritage, to give thanks for all that has been done, and to develop ideas and plans for the future,” said Fr. Mavric, in his letter to the Vincentian family. “Of great importance is the consideration of our changing demographics and social contexts, the pressing needs of the poor, and our ability to best respond to these as a family.”

On September 27, the feast of St. Vincent de Paul, Pope Francis wrote a letter to the Vincentian family, reflecting on the call we share. You can read the letter by visiting https://famvin.org/en/2017/09/27/a-letter-from-pope-francis-to-the-whole-vincentian-family-at-the-feast-of-st-vincent-de-paul/.

To follow the Vincentian Family Symposium this weekend, please visit https://famvin.org/en/2017/10/07/live-broadcasting-during-symposium-oct-14-and-15/ for live streaming on October 14–15. To learn more about the symposium, please visit www.famvin400.info. You may also contact Campus Ministry for more information at [email protected].

We ask for your continued prayers for those attending the symposium, as well as the larger Vincentian family, in our efforts to continue to work together to welcome the stranger.