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International Confederation
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
Council General International
16th President General

    Letter 11/2019 
    Paris, 7 February 2019 

To all Superior/National Councils
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul

Copy: Members of the International Structure

Subject: The importance of the Vincentian Family to SSVP worldwide.

Dear national presidents, Dear CGI members,

1. We have the joy of sharing a summary of the annual meeting of the Executive Committee of the Vincentian Family (VFEC), held in Philadelphia (USA) last January, in which we had the honor to participate, representing the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP). I ask you to make the contents of this summary widely known in your Councils, by the means available to you.
2. Also attached is an invitation from the Vincentian Family for the 4th Meeting of the International Center for Formation (CIF), coordinated by Father Andrés Motto (CM), to be held August 2-26, 2019, at the Mother House of the Congregation of the Mission, in Paris. It would be wonderful if your Council could send a representative.
3. As we know, the Vincentian Family is a strategic community for the General Council International and, naturally, for our entire Society. In addition to being one of the 10 goals of the international strategic planning, the Vincentian Family is one of the priorities of this mandate. Together, as a family, our Branches are more able to serve those in need all over the planet. The closer we come to the Vincentian Family, the stronger we will become.
4. The following are some useful recommendations and advice for the SSVP to be closer to and more in tune with the Vincentian Family every day:

4.1 It is fundamental that the Superior (or National) Councils of the SSVP task a Vincentian for accompanying the Vincentian Family in their country, representing the SSVP in the meetings and other activities of the Family.

Motto of the our Presidency 2016/2022: “Anyone who wants to be first must be the last of all, and the servant of all” (Mark 9, 35b)
Council General International: 6, rue de Londres – 75009 PARIS (France)

4.2 It is important to act in close cooperation with the various branches of the Vincentian Family in your country, especially in the areas of formation, communication, celebrations, promotion of events and development of social projects.

4.3 Whenever possible, it is suggested that the SSVP financially supports the Vincentian Family of each country for shared demands and initiatives, which are being carried out or planned.

4.4 It is recommended the spiritual advisor of the SSVP at the national level should preferably come from a branch of the Vincentian Family.

4.5 The institutional publicity material (such as leaflets and banners) and the means of communication maintained by the SSVP (such as websites, social networks, magazines, bulletins and newspapers), at least at the national level, should indicate that our Society is part of the Vincentian Family, highlighting the Family logo next to ours.

We thank you for your attention and we are at your disposal for any further clarification.

Serving in hope.

Ricardo Tavares                                     Renato Lima de Oliveira 
CGI Vincentian Family Department                    16º President General   

• Annex 1 – Summary of the VFEC meeting in January/2019 in the United States
• Annex 2 – Invitation to the 4th CIF Meeting in August/2019 in Paris (France).

Motto of the our Presidency 2016/2022: “Anyone who wants to be first must be the last of all, and the servant of all” (Mark 9, 35b)
Council General International: 6, rue de Londres – 75009 PARIS (France)