On July 21st, 2022, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP) enthusiastically celebrates the 183rd anniversary of the founding of the International General Council, the administrative group responsible for overseeing the observance of the Rule in all countries and of preserving unity in among the members.

On July 14th, 1839, our founders approved the SSVP’s restructuring with the subsequent establishment of the International General Council, which decision was endorsed at a General Assembly on July 21st, 1839. 

Throughout its 183 years, the International General Council has faced numerous challenges, such as epidemics, wars, struggles and persecutions. On the other hand, the SSVP has grown and reached impressive figures: 47,000 Conferences, 800,000 members and 30 million needy people assisted. During this period, sixteen Presidents General have been elected. Today, 120 members from all continents hold service positions at the Council, plus seven qualified staff members at the new headquarters in Paris.

“It is an immense privilege, yet a great responsibility for me, to hold the noble position of President General, especially because I am the first from a developing country like Brazil. I don’t deserve to perform such a service in view of my limitations, failures and imperfections; for this reason, I do believe that only the Good Lord can protect us from the snares of evil and enlighten us to make the right decisions that will yield good fruits for the whole Society. I am very happy, and I do hope to always serve more and better”, stated 16^th President General, fellow member Renato Lima de Oliveira.

Let us pray for the International Board and for all the members who render or have rendered some type of service on the international level. We recognize, on this date, not only the seven SSVP founders, but also the first members and all those who have served on the General Council during these 183 years, especially those who are already in the Lord’s House.

We kindly request, on July 21st, 2022, that you include the following intention during the Eucharist in all parishes with a Vincentian Conference: “On the occasion of the 183^rd anniversary of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul ‘s International General Council, we pray that its will continue to communicate a message of peace, unity and charity to all its members and to the poor of the world, especially in this time of an urgent international health crisis.”

Testimonials  from all Board members and the staff at the general headquarters will be published in August’s issue of Ozanam Network digital magazine about the great honor and inspiration it is to be part of CGI.

Source: https://www.ssvpglobal.org/