From February 4 to 14, 2024, the Southern Indian Province, under the guidance of the International Formation Centre (CIF), hosted a short course on ‘Vincentian Spirituality and Ethics’ at Karunalya, Belwadi, Mysore. It was an opportunity to avail the CIF formation programs to the Vincentian Family (FAMVIN) branches in India. The 65 delegates of  CIF Asia were from the Society of Vincent de Paul (SSVP), Sisters of Charity of Nazareth (SCN), Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary (SCJM), Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul (SCV), Vincentian Congregation (VC), Daughters of Charity (DC) and Congregation of the Mission (CM). The discussions on various topics deepened the understanding of the participants on the Vincentian way of life and, the uniqueness of Vincentian spirituality and expanded the Vincentian worldview.

The sessions on “The Transformative Journey of Vincent,”  the  “historical Setting of 17th century France and the Emergence of Vincentian Foundations,” aroused the curiosity of the participants and enlightened them on how St. Vincent’s transformative journey paved the way for the emergence of a new charism in the Church. The charism revealed to St. Vincent was a priceless gift to the church and the world at large that inspired many to “relaunch the Vincentian ways”  and develop a creative Vincentian Pedagogical Perspective of Spirituality. The deliberations on the foundational virtues of the Vincentian way refreshed their understanding and identified novel ways of exercising them in the professional ethics of Vincentian Missionaries in the current context.

The relevance of Vincentian Family, the immense possibilities of collaboration, and the necessity of the virtue of prudence in witnessing Christ, serving God’s people, and collaborative ministry among various branches of the Vincentian family were discussed briefly. St. Vincent exhorted his sons and daughters to assist persons in poverty and do them efficiently. The systemic change method is proven the effectively to ways to realize the dream of St. Vincent. St. Vincent’s understanding of mission with an emphasis on mission ad Gentes and the significance of synodal approach in the modern ecclesial were discussed. The inevitability of prayer and the assistance of blessed mothers for consistent progress in holiness and efficient methods of collaborative ministry were reflected upon at length.

In the course of CIF Asia 2024, the delegates visited the ministry sites of SCV, SCN, DC, and CM to interact with beneficiaries and a few historical and tourist sites for relaxation.  The delegates had an delightful opportunity of interacting with Rev. Fr. Tomaž Mavrič, CM, the Superior General of CM & DC and ex officio President of the Executive Committee of the Vincentian Family and be inspired by his enlightening sharing. The CIF Asia left an indelible experience among the delegates, expressing the necessity of coming together and learning about the rich heritage that St. Vincent and Louise de Marillac left for us in witnessing Christ’s Charity.

Fr. Thuruthel Joy CM, Coordinator of CIF Asia