From October 30 to November 2, Panama City opened its arms to the speakers and National Presidents of the SSVP from South America, Central America and the Caribbean, joined by delegations from the USA, Canada, Spain, and Portugal.

The fraternal meeting was held at the Monte Alverna Retreat House, located in Panama City, under the theme “Bringing Hope”. Panama became the ideal setting to experience prayer, reflection, and fraternity, strengthening unity in the mission through shared learning and work. These were four intense and fruitful days, reaffirming the certainty that Vincentian charity, lived with professionalism, tenderness, and an evangelical spirit, continues to be a sign of hope for the world.

Opening Ceremony

The event was conducted by Fausto Batista, Internationa; Territorial Vice President (VPTI) for America 2. Inés Bares, President of the National Council of Panama, introduced us to the history of the Ibero-American Meeting, the journey of the Panamanian SSVP, and the work carried out by the SSVP in the country through its various social works: home visits, visits to prisoners, distribution of food and medicine, implementation of formation workshops, sewing workshops, and the medicinal plants club. The President recalled that each of these initiatives was born to respond to a specific need and to keep the Vincentian spirit alive in Panamanian society.

The International President General (PGI) offered warm words of welcome, highlighting the importance of formation and stressing that “the SSVP is a group of friends, one single Conference that moves around the world.”

These words were the prelude to the spirit that would accompany the entire meeting. Afterwards, the song “Vincentian Ibero-America” was premiered. Specially composed for the event, it encouraged all participants to stand up and filled the room with joy and a “shared rhythm”.

“Yesterday and today, faithful to the legacy of our founders”

In his opening message, the PGI emphasized that formation must be a fundamental pillar of the Vincentian mission. Firstly, he referred to spiritual formation, as “it is the soul of our service in hope”, and what prevents us from becoming mere administrators of charity and, therefore, from falling into secularisation. He then quoted the words of the Venerable Santiago de Masarnau, founder of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Spain: “If the Conferences provide only material assistance, the Conferences will disappear, not in the eyes of men, but in the eyes of God.”

Secondly, he explained that we also need skills-based formation, since we are expected to have formation in resource management that is transparent and efficient: “Administering resources well, accounting with honesty, planning with vision, is also a concrete way of loving. Charity and best practices strengthen one another.”

Lastly, he invited those present to renew their spiritual and organisational commitment in this jubilee year, because charity, in Ozanam’s words, is “treating those in need as equals in order to increase social commitment and transform the whole of society.”

Throughout the gathering, various presentations on leadership, spirituality, communication, and governance were delivered by speakers from different regions. Sister Ellen Marie Hagar, D.C. (USA) (FAMVIN International), opened the sessions with the topic “Servant Leadership from the Perspective of St. Vincent and Frédéric Ozanam”. Ralph Middlecamp (USA), Deputy President General of the CGI, presented “The SSVP Yesterday and Today: Are We Keeping the Spirit Bequeathed by the Founders?”, in which he reinforced the importance of the spirit of the seven founders, mentioning the biography of each one of them and seeking to emphasise their virtues and characteristics.

Althea Graham (USA), VPTI America 1, presented the conference “Teamwork: Developing a New Leadership for the SSVP”, based on the servant leadership model and focused on the challenges of today’s times, especially in managing a socio-spiritual work such as the SSVP. Julio César Marques de Lima (Brazil), International Vice President for Structure and Special Projects of the CGI, presented “Service Structure and Governance”, explaining the functioning of the international structure and of the Confederation, highlighting the importance of the National Councils for the whole SSVP and listing the responsibilities that a National President must assume.

Edgardo Fuentes (Honduras), Youth Delegate for America 2, addressed the topic: “The Role of Vincentian Youth in the Leadership of the SSVP”. He began his talk by asking what it means to be a young Vincentian, highlighting that the SSVP was created by a group of young people and, therefore, their inclusion and support must be a strategic objective of the institution. He also announced what was approved in Rome: the Vincentian Youth Exchange Programme. The programme has 25,000 euros that the PGI, after consultation with the Board, has allocated from part of the gift that the SSVP has just received in Spain.

Sebastião Ribeiro (Brazil), VPTI America 3, spoke about “Revitalisation of Vincentian Conferences” and explained in detail the main parts of the “Revitalisation of Conferences” Guide. Renato Lima (Brazil), XVI PGI, addressed the topic “Communication: What Structures Do We Need?”. In his presentation, he covered the following aspects: the importance of communication, internal and external communication, communication challenges, the necessary structures, and a possible proposal for a Communication, Marketing and Advertising Plan. The speaker carried out a diagnosis of the communication media used by the National Councils and, in the end, presented the essential conditions to improve and strengthen communication at the national level.

Fausto Batista (Dominican Republic), VPTI America 2, presented “Strategic Planning of a National Council”, explaining that the strategic plan sets out the path to be followed by an organisation, based on human, technical, economic and operational resources.

Wendy Fuentes (Honduras), Delegate of the General Council responsible for relations with the International Vincentian Family, based in Philadelphia (USA), and with the Vincentian Family of Latin America (FAVILA), presented “Vincentian Family in Latin America: Weaving Bonds of Hope”, explaining that “the objective of the FAMVIN is to keep alive the flame of service and charity inherited from St. Vincent de Paul, bringing this charism to all Vincentian branches.”

John Berry, National President of SSVP USA, presented “Our Identity: Person-to-Person Ministry”. Berry delivered a very spiritual presentation, filled with quotes and biblical passages related to the fundamental principles of the SSVP. For him, our identity has elements that distinguish us from any other organisation, such as personal contact with those who suffer, our involvement, love for service, and spirituality. “We are called to be companions of the poor centred in Christ, bearers of hope in the midst of change, and witnesses of a charity that is always personal, always spiritual, and never simply transactional.”

Finally, the President General, Juan Manuel B. Gómez, closed the sessions with “New Needs for Developing SSVP Leadership”, encouraging all to “continue being bold, to form ourselves, and to look to the future of the Society with hope.” He also offered some options for growing and promoting volunteering: increase twinning, review communication, promote an SSVP Day in each country to give greater visibility, explore activities that can be undertaken, such as charity shops, visits to hospitals, nursing homes, and people living on the streets, etc., and he concluded by mentioning the upcoming creation of the Global Foundation to co-finance national structures and some projects, as well as future cooperation initiatives.

Moreover, the question-and-answer sessions and group work strengthened a dynamic of mutual learning and strategic planning.

The Voice of Each Country, a Network of Hope

One of the most emotional moments of the meeting was the presentation by countries, given by their National Presidents, reporting on their activities and their weaknesses and strengths.

A total of 36 countries participated in person, the great majority of the countries where we are present, since some were unable to attend due to visa issues.

Faith, Culture and Encounter

Each day, participants had the opportunity to take part in morning prayer, and on Saturday the 1st, “All Saints’ Day”, they shared a Eucharist presided over by Father José Fitzgerald, C.M., a warm and simple celebration where the fraternal spirit and affection of all members could be felt.

They also enjoyed a city tour, during which members visited three symbols of Panamanian identity: the Panama Canal, the Cathedral Basilica Santa María la Antigua, and St. Joseph’s Church.

The day concluded with an artistic performance of traditional dances and regional costumes, a lively celebration of Panamanian culture and the Vincentian joy that unites us beyond borders.

At the end of the day, the President of Mexico, Gladys Herrera, proposed that, God willing, the next Ibero-American Meeting be held in Mexico.

Acknowledgements

The International General Council expresses its most sincere gratitude to the National Council of Panama for its hospitality, dedication and warmth. In particular, to its President, Inés Bares, for her closeness and impeccable organisation, and to the dear members Argelys Vega, Mixila Ramírez, Bruno Batista, Carson Dolan, Janette Deckel, Isaac Ríos, Mariana Peña, Alejandra Duclías and Katterina Guerra.

Acknowledgement also goes to Fausto Batista, VPTI for America 2, for his tireless dedication in coordinating the meeting and his excellent work as master of ceremonies, and to the Dominican members Lorenzo Alejo, Mayra Marte and Verónica Correa. Thank you for this wonderful gathering.

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