Between September 22 and 28, 2025, the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro hosted the pilgrimage of the relics of Saint Vincent de Paul, the French saint and patron of all charitable works in the world. The initiative was part of the 400th anniversary celebrations of the Congregation of the Mission, which began in April 2024 and will continue until March 2028, with the aim of strengthening Vincentian spirituality throughout Brazil.

The person responsible for coordinating and accompanying the pilgrimage of the relics in Rio de Janeiro and in three other dioceses of the state was André Luiz Felipe Fernandes Barreto, a member of the Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of “Mary, Mother of the Church”, in Padre Miguel, a suburb of Rio de Janeiro. He emphasized that the mission was marked by faith, good organization, and many blessings received.

According to him, the preparation process was an unexpected challenge. “I thought I would only take part, but when I was at the Shrine of Aparecida, I was invited to organize the pilgrimage in Rio de Janeiro,” he said. Upon accepting the task, André Barreto visited several dioceses—starting with Campos, Nova Friburgo, and Petrópolis—and witnessed firsthand the spiritual power that the presence of the relics inspired. “The scope was much greater than I had imagined.”

The relics brought to Rio included one of first class, a fragment of one of Saint Vincent’s ribs; one of second class, a piece of his tunic; and a letter written by the saint to Saint Louise de Marillac. The pilgrimage was also accompanied by a wax replica of Saint Vincent’s body, brought from Naples, Italy.

André Barreto and Bruno Berthoux with the relics of Saint Vincent de Paul.

The schedule was extensive, and several symbolic moments marked the pilgrimage, such as the Mass at the Chapel of the Child Jesus, national headquarters of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, presided over by Cardinal Orani João Tempesta, and another celebrated at the Christ the Redeemer, presided over by Father Vandeir Barbosa de Oliveira, Provincial of the Congregation of the Mission, together with Father Edson Friedrichesen, national coordinator of the pilgrimage in Brazil.

However, two particular episodes remained deeply etched in André Barreto’s memory. The first was a breakfast with people experiencing homelessness at the Cathedral of Saint Sebastian, in downtown Rio. “Some people questioned me about the reason for taking the relics to those living on the streets. I asked Cardinal Orani for guidance, and he replied: ‘If Saint Vincent de Paul were in Rio, he would be there, with the poorest.’ And indeed, we saw people kneeling before the relic, asking for blessings—humble workers seeking dignity.”

The second moment took place in Realengo, at the Parish of the Immaculate Conception. A group of university students was moved upon encountering the relic. “They went out and came back with flowers, saying they were bringing the saint’s blessing with them. It even inspired the idea of creating a Vincentian Conference within the university community.”

Other moments of great emotion occurred in poorer communities, such as Engenho da Rainha. “It was the simplest and most beautiful reception. The parish priest, Father Marco Túlio de Castro Carvalho, welcomed us with great affection. I spent the night at the parish because the celebration ended late, and I had been away from home for days. There, I truly felt the strength of Saint Vincent de Paul’s spirituality alive in the midst of the community,” recalled André Barreto.

The pilgrimage also included a visit to the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal during the National Meeting of the Vincentian Family. Barreto also highlighted the mission carried out by the various branches of the Vincentian Family—the Congregation of the Mission, the Daughters of Charity, the Marian Youth, the AIC, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, among others—all united around the same mission. “The goal was achieved: to show that Vincentian spirituality remains alive, renewed, and continues to bring great good to the Church.”

For André Barreto, the experience revealed the contemporary relevance of the Vincentian charism. “Saint Vincent de Paul remains current because he is present in the needs of the people. He teaches us that spirituality is lived twenty-four hours a day, through human promotion and service to the poor. I truly felt that he was guiding me at every step.”

The projection of the image of Saint Vincent de Paul on the Christ the Redeemer monument was considered the highlight of the pilgrimage. For Barreto, it was “a gift from God and a source of encouragement for those who remain steadfast in the Vincentian charism.” At the end, he summarized the experience: “What fascinates me most about Saint Vincent de Paul is that he is a modern saint. Even after four centuries, he continues to inspire people through his love for the poor and his fidelity to the Church.”

Projection of the image of Saint Vincent de Paul on the Christ the Redeemer monument, September 27.

The relics were present at the Immaculate Conception Basilica in Botafogo, the Shrine of Saint Rita in Largo Santa Rita, downtown, and at the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal in Tijuca.

They also visited the parishes of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Vicente de Carvalho; Our Lady of the Conception and Saint Sebastian in Engenho de Dentro; Good Jesus in Penha; Immaculate Conception in Realengo; Immaculate Conception in Monteiro; Our Lady of the Presentation in Irajá; Saint Vincent de Paul in Engenho da Rainha; and Immaculate Conception in Recreio dos Bandeirantes.

The relics also stopped at the Chapel of the Child Jesus in Lapa; the Christ the Redeemer Shrine on Corcovado; the Cathedral of Saint Sebastian, downtown, during the breakfast with the homeless; the Saint Vincent de Paul School in Cosme Velho; the Immaculate Conception School in Botafogo; and the Rural Saint Vincent de Paul School in Monteiro.

Carlos Moioli