Father Andrés Motto, Director of the International Formation Center (CIF) in Paris, explains the work that is done during the formation sessions that are offered to the members of the Vincentian Family (priests, brothers, sisters and laymen and women).

Although the video is primarily in Spanish, we include below a copy of the English translation of the text.

Translation of the text:

The International Formation Center, better known as CIF, is located in Paris [France] at the Motherhouse of the Congregation of the Mission. Its objective is to provide formation to the members of the worldwide Vincentian Family (priests, brothers, sisters, laymen and women).

This formation involves sessions dedicated to Vincentian studies and spirituality and various aspects of theology. CIF attempts to instill in the participants the importance of research and ongoing formation for ministry on behalf of men and women who are poor. These privileged moments of formation and community living also provide the participants with the opportunity to visit those places of special significance in the history of the Vincentian Family.

My name is Andrés Román María Motto. I am a member of the Congregation of the Mission and presently, Director of the International Formation Center, know as CIF which is located in the Motherhouse [in Paris] of the Congregation of the Mission. We are gathered here in the beautiful chapel where the remains of Saint Vincent de Paul have been preserved. Nearby is chapel where the Blessed Mother appeared to Saint Catherine Laboure and entrusted her with the mission of establishing an Association for young men and women [the Children of Mary] and having a medal struck [a medal that became known as the Miraculous Medal]. At the Formation Center we provide the participants with formation in Vincentian studies and spirituality. When I became the director of the Center, the formation sessions were only available to the priests and brothers of the Congregation of the Mission. Now, for quite a number of years, these sessions are available to all the members of the worldwide Vincentian Family. Presently, some sessions are offered just to the members of the Congregation of the Mission, while others are offered to the members of all the branches of the Vincentian Family. Next year we are hoping to expand our ministry so that those who, because of time or money, cannot come to Paris will be see that CIF comes to them.

—I was very happy to participate in the CIF program that Fr. Andrés Motto organized for the treasurers of the Vincentian Family.

—It is a great joy for me to be here in Paris, in the motherhouse, because today it is very clear that there is an urgent need for ongoing formation of all the members of the Vincentian Family. I have learned much about the management of finances in the Congregation of the Mission.

This is CIF and we encourage everyone to take advantage of the various opportunities for formation that are offered at this Center.

Contact CIF:

Congregation of the Mission
Motherhouse. 95, rue de Sèvres.
75006 PARIS. FRANCE.
Telephone: +330631524352
Email: andresmotto@gmail.com