I. As we do every year, around this time, we are writing to encourage you to begin the preparation for the “Day of Prayer of the Vincentian Family,” which is held around 27 September. We also would like to share with you some reflections from our dialogue on the activities of the Vincentian Family:
1. Campaign of the Vincentian Family since 2001: “The Globalization of Charity: The Fight Against Hunger.”
This has yielded good results. At least 160 projects have been organized throughout the world.
There are many more of which we have not received any information. While the campaign has concluded, the concrete actions in each country and in the different branches of the Vincentian Family are continuing.
2. Campaign of the Vincentian Family since 2003: “Political Action Against Malaria” (www.famvin.org/malaria/).
The person in charge of the campaign noted that this type of campaign has three phases: 1) consciousness-raising; 2) educating and 3) concrete projects. The campaign is in the first phase (consciousness-raising).
Opinions were varied: some said that the campaign had achieved its objective; others, that it had failed. Everyone recognized the valuable work of the person in charge of the campaign. As a Family, little by little, we are becoming aware that “political action” is an essential expression of charity.
We agreed to conclude the “political action” (1st phase) of the campaign on 27 September 2005. We also asked the person in charge to continue on the educational level (2nd phase), for which a document, Health Manual Against Malaria, will be translated. It will be sent, through the various branches, to the countries where this scourge exists. Finally, we decided to support these countries in developing concrete actions (3rd phase). It is well to keep in mind that in all the phases we should involve, in the measure possible, the very persons to whom the campaign is addressed.
3. Campaign of the Vincentian Family from 27 September 2004 to 27 September 2005: The Year of Youth in the Vincentian Family: “Sharing the charism with all generations.” Prayer – Formation – Service.
This year had been for us, as the Vincentian Family, an opportunity to draw closer to young people, recognize their leadership and help them to learn the richness of our charism. It is urgent that youth have a real experience of meeting the very person of Jesus Christ in the poor. We continue to share our Vincentian charism with young people through a witness of holiness of life in the service of the poor.
The JMV, in the name of the entire Vincentian Family, will organize the Third Vincentian Youth Meeting, during the 20th World Day of Youth in Cologne, Germany, 2005, from 15-21 August, with the theme: “With Mary, we come to adore you and serve you in the poor.” This will be the culmination of the International Year of Youth in the Vincentian Family.
4. Collaboration in the development of formation and information
4.1 Vincentian materials have been translated in Madagascar and Hungary. Future translation projects and adaptation of materials is foreseen for Vietnam, Mozambique, Nigeria, Congo, Ukraine, China, Ethiopia, Eritrea, etc.
4.2 Develop a collaboration network for financing, translating and diffusing formation material through Fr. Manuel Ginete, Delegate of the Superior General for the Vincentian Family.
4.3 Prepare a three-page leaflet for diffusion by the principal branches of the Family at World Youth Day.
4.4 Update the dossier for presenting the principal branches of the Vincentian Family.
5. Update: tsunami
5.1 Draft a Message of Solidarity for the members of the Vincentian Family in Southeast Asia struck by the tsunami. It will be sent to all the branches of the Vincentian Family via Internet.
5.2 The SSVP will organize a meeting to study the situation in Southeast Asia and develop a plan of aid. It will be on 19 April in Salamanca. All the branches were invited to send a representative.