In his annual letter to VMY, the International President, Yancarlos de Jesus Carrasco de los Santos, focuses on the 400th anniversary of the Vincentian Charism and presents an interesting reflection that is valid for any follower of St. Vincent de Paul:

Dear Friends and Members of the VMY:

Let us give life to the Vincentian Charism!

You will notice that we have placed an exclamation point (!) at the end of the phrase for our theme this year of 2017. Doing so expresses the fact that we are aware of the heritage that we have received from Saint Vincent de Paul and therefore all our actions ought to enhance the dignity of those persons living in a situation of poverty. It should also be noted that we convert our theme into a question: Are we giving life to the Vincentian Charism? As such, we are invited to reflect on our Vincentian identity and the manner in which we are making the charism a reality in the midst of the world. Do we see Christ in the poor? Is our service focused on those persons who are suffering? Do we welcome the stranger in our midst?

In light of this theme, the members of the International Council met in Madrid (January 14-17, 2017) to evaluate and plan the activities that we hope to accomplish during this celebration of the 400th anniversary of the birth of the Vincentian charism. With this celebration, our Vincentian Family and we, as members of the VMY, have much work to do because on various levels we are called to share our faith and our charism (see attached Plan of Activities).

As members of the International Vincentian Family we will gather together during the month of October for a Vincentian Symposium in Rome with the presence of Pope Francis. This symposium will provide us with an opportunity to reflect on our future and the manner in which we give life to the Vincentian Charism. We, as young men and women, have a significant role to play in this event because the future of the Vincentian Family is in our hands. In the very near future, we will provide you with more information about how you can participate and be a voice for Vincentian in the present and in the future.

During our journey of faith we have opened our hearts to God’s mercy and now we celebrate the legacy of Vincent de Paul and affirm that let us give life to the Vincentian Charism! All of this enables us to say with Mary: Here we are Lord, may it be done to us according to your word.

Happy 400th anniversary to the charism of this family where we belong.

To Jesus with Mary,

Yancarlos de Jesús Carrasco de los Santos
International President of the VMY