The Vincentian priests of Valladolid, Spain welcomed the MISEVI (MIssionarios SEglares VIcencianos) International Team with their warm and very generous hospitality.  It was the first opportunity for the new MISEVI team to meet in person after their General Assembly in February. MISEVI is blessed to have a team that represents their 13 member countries, with representation from Lebanon (Ribel as President), Venezuela (Asuncion as Secretary), Spain (Monica as Treasurer), Colombia (Marta as member), United States (Mary Frances as member), Ireland (Fr. Stephen as Advisor), Eritrea (Sr. Neghesti as Advisor), and Fr. Tomaz (Superior General).  At the February assembly, the team was charged to address several issues, which will support this lay mission organization while also encouraging new member countries to join.

The international team is working specifically in the following areas:

• Welcoming 3 new MISEVI members. We are happy to announce the acceptance of 3 new members of our MISEVI family:  Ireland, Peru and Egypt.
• Updating our Spiritual Formation plan. Each country forms lay missionaries in the Vincentian charism.
• Launching a new MISEVI website.
• Updating protocols for new MISEVI members.
• Meeting with Vincentian Marian Youth. We look forward to continued collaboration with them and other members of the Vincentian Family.

St. Vincent DePaul shared, “Love one another, bear with one another, support one another and be united in the Spirit of God who has chosen you for this great undertaking and will preserve you for its fulfillment (V:441).” The work of lay Vincentians globally is responding to this call to be united.  The work of lay Vincentians is the work of the Vincentian Family and gives witness to the groundwork that has been provided by the Vincentian Sisters and Priests for these many centuries. The work of lay Vincentians is a response to Pope Francis’ words that inspire us to always know of the mutuality of all of our encounters with others.  He speaks to the Gospel call. “Mission is never the fruit of a perfectly planned program or a well-organized manual. Mission is always the fruit of a life which knows what it is to be found and healed, encountered and forgiven. Mission is born of a constant experience of God’s merciful anointing.”