AIC celebrates, on August 23, 400 years since the foundation of the first group of Charities. On this big day, all 150,000 volunteers in the AIC network will celebrate the foundation of AIC, which 400 years later continues to be active and full of life.
To commemorate this important date, August 23, on which Saint Vincent officially founded the first Confraternity of Charity and gave the First Rule to the new group of “Ladies of Charity” in Châtillon-les-Dombes, France, AIC invites all its volunteers to join in praying the AIC prayer for the Jubilee Year, in groups or individually.
In the same way, AIC extends this invitation to all the members of the Vincentian Family to join us in this day of prayer, as our brothers and sisters, so that on 23rd August, a great wave of prayers is sent up to Heaven.
As we have informed you previously, in Châtillon, France, a big celebration is planned from 20th-23rd August.
With all our hearts, we give thanks to you, Lord, Father of mercy.
You have chosen us to be members of AIC
and to continue the mission of the Confraternities of Charity
that were established by Vincent de Paul some four hundred years ago.
Grant us the grace we need to continue this marvelous collaborative work
together with those who are living in poverty
so that we might build a more just and equitable world.
Help us communicate your love to our brothers and sisters
with enthusiasm and hope
so that they, in turn, might become active in their own development.
Teach us to be obedient to your will.
Give us the strength we need to be authentic
and hardworking within the Church
and to be a force of transformation in society.
May our numbers increase, so that each day,
there can be more AIC volunteers in the world
all convinced of Jesus’ words:
“Whatever you do for one of these least brothers or sisters of mine,
you do for me” (Matthew 25:40).
We pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
Our dear sisters in the AIC,
Congrats on this special day. You are the first among all of us..
Vincent and Louise are so pleased to see you spread far and wide and doing great things for His poor people.
Sure we pray for you.
Sr. Grace