Christmas Message 2021 from Renato Lima de Oliveira, President General of the International Confederation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul:

Dear brothers and sisters!

May peace be with you all!

On behalf of the International General Council, I would like to wish you and your family a holy and joyful Christmas, filled with many blessings.

The past year has been quite a challenge for all members of the Society because it called for additional strength to continue the work of Conferences as well as the special projects.

The health crisis has touched us all, especially the most vulnerable, refugees, the persecuted, the infirm, the poor and the unemployed.

Our message, however, is one of greater commitment and hope for better days.

God always blesses us, and He also expects much from us.

Jesus is walking with us on this journey to fulfill our Vincentian mission and our role as baptized Christians, giving witness to divine love. He will never abandon us.

The Holy Family of Nazareth is the light that reveals to us the way of holiness and forgiveness.

May the new year, 2022, the year dedicated to our cofounder Auguste Le Taillandier, bring greater hope, faith and charity to this world, especially to the most needy.

This is the wish of the President General and the Council General’s Board for the entire Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Worldwide Vincentian Family.

Merry Christmas and Happy 2022!

Renato Lima de Oliveira,
16th General President