Throughout the Province, in our homes, parishes and facilities run by Vincentian missionaries, there are visible “signs” commemorating the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Congregation of the Mission. Following the spirit of our founder, we want to live this anniversary through moments of prayer, in-depth studies on Vincentian spirituality and a renewed commitment to the mission.
The invitation to prepare and live this double Jubilee for us Vincentians is: “As pilgrims of hope, let us walk clothed in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. This enables us to be missionaries of joy, the same joy of Vincent, rooted in Christ, a gift for us all. Let us joyfully celebrate the God who manifests himself daily in our lives and in our Province.
A joy that drives us towards charity, towards a Gospel that is affective and effective. I emphasise joy because it is one of the most urgent needs of the people we meet, along with that of hope. And joy can only arise from charity. Paul also exhorts us to: “Rejoice always in the Lord” (cf. Phil 4:4), in our everyday life, in silence, in service. True joy is not a mere passing mood, nor something that one achieves through one’s own efforts, but it is a gift, it comes from encountering the living person of Jesus, from making room for him in us, from welcoming the Holy Spirit who guides our lives.
Our mission is to bring Christ who is joy, to live in Christ with joy. It is the joy of a peasant confessed in Gannes, of Father Portail, of Luisa de Marillac, of the convicts, of all the missionaries who spent their lives proclaiming the good news
With the joy of Vincenzo we want to knock on all the doors of the poor people.
With the joy of Vincent we walk the streets of the world.
With the joy of Vincenzo we praise God for the gift of vocation.
With the joy of Vincenzo we face the labours of the mission.
With Vincenzo’s joy, charity will never fail.
With the joy of Vincent we experience the vital encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Province is preparing to concretely live this Jubilee with initiatives at provincial level, in addition to the general initiatives of the Congregation.
On 25 January 2025, the Pilgrimage of the Vincentian Family took place in all regions of Italy with the presence of the missionaries. It was a festive occasion, where joy and family came together. At that event, we lit a lamp as a symbol of a fire. That fire that once burned in Vincent’s heart continues to motivate us today to proclaim that Christ is the true salvation.
On 27 April 2025 a solemn Eucharist will be celebrated in all our Vincentian churches to mark the 400th anniversary of the Foundation.
Initiative “a house for all” pushes us even more concretely to live the charism of Vincent, that of being close to the marginalised. Thanks to the worldwide initiative “of the 13 houses“, of the Vincentian Alliance with the homeless, following the example of St. Vincent who in Paris in 1643 built thirteen houses for the poor, and thanks to the contribution of all, three projects will be realised in the territory of our Province:
In this jubilee, we wish to give special attention to the formation of the entire Vincentian Movement in our country. It will not only be a question of intellectual updating, but of opportunities for human and spiritual growth within a fraternal environment.
Two national events are planned:
“In the footsteps of Saint Vincent“, a pilgrimage to Paris lay and consecrated members of the Vincentian Family from 12 to 18 July 2025. To visit and meditate on the places where Saint Vincent lived most of his life.
To all of you, dear members of the Vincentian Family, we wish you a joyful jubilee in faith, charity and hope.
Province of Italy
P. Rrok Shporaj CM
Communication Office
