November 22, 2025 will long be remembered as a milestone for the worldwide Vincentian Family. Representatives from numerous countries and all generations—among them members of the Executive Board and the staff of the Vincentian Family Office—gathered in Philadelphia to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Vincentian Family Office and to honor the dedicated service of Fr. Joseph “Joe” Agostino, C.M., who has faithfully led the Office as its Executive Director since its creation.
Top Row: Fr. Guillermo Campusano CM, Fr. Tomaz Mavric CM, Wendy Guzman, Maureen Reiser, Br. Broer Huitema CMM, Sebastian Gramajo, Sr. Teresa George SC, Sr. Eileen Haynes SCL, Sr. Marie Petra SC
Bottom Row:
Bro. Lawrence Obiko CMM, Guillermina Vergara, Sr. Grace Hartzog SC, Clare Balo, Sr. Ellen Marie Hagar DC, Sr. Francoise Petit DC, Sr. Julie Kubasak DC, Tadye de Callataÿ, Fr. Gregg Banaga CM
Morning Reflections and a Global Conversation
The day began with morning sessions of prayer, discernment, and reflection—an opportunity for participants to look back on a decade of collaborative mission and to dream boldly about the future.
Visit to the New Marian Museum
At 1:30 p.m., the group paid a visit to the new Marian Museum, opened with Fr. Tomaž’s blessing. Mary Jo Timlin Hoag, Director of the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal (CAMM), guided participants through the museum’s exhibits, offering insights into its mission and cultural significance.
Sharing and Dialogue
At 2:30 p.m., the group held its session of sharing and dialogue, broadcast live for the entire Vincentian Family around the world.
A selection of images from these moments of fraternity and exchange helps preserve the spirit of the gathering:
Solemn Eucharist on the Feast of Christ the King
At 5:30 p.m., the celebration reached its spiritual height with the Eucharist of the Solemnity of Christ the King—a Mass of thanksgiving and farewell for Fr. Joe Agostino, C.M., who presided.
A Homily Filled with Courage, Mission, and Fire
In his moving homily, Fr. Agostino invited the entire Vincentian Family to claim its God-given dignity and to step into the future with courageous hope. Drawing from a story of two peasants at Notre Dame, he reminded us that through baptism, every Christian is anointed priest, prophet, and king, called to stand tall as children of God.
“No one has the power to take away your dignity—no one!” he proclaimed. Not rulers, governments, religious leaders, nor even oneself on difficult days. This dignity, he emphasized, comes from God alone .
Fr. Agostino also highlighted the paradox of Christ’s kingship—not marked by earthly glory, but by the Cross, where Jesus offered hope even to the dying thief: “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” From that same hope, he insisted, springs the Christian’s call to perseverance and mission, for “Jesus is King!”—a cry repeated with joy throughout the assembly .
He reminded the Family of the Kingdom Christ calls us to build: a kingdom of truth, life, holiness, grace, justice, love, and peace. Echoing St. Vincent de Paul, he urged all present to be “heralds of hope,” standing with the oppressed and advocating for justice .
His message extended personally to every sector of the Vincentian Family:
- To senior members, whose prayer and wisdom kindle the fire of the charism.
- To younger members, encouraged never to lose the question that ignited the Vincentian mission: What must be done?
- To lay members, the vast majority of the Vincentian Family, whose humble dedication embodies Christ’s presence among the poor.
- To all branches, each a distinct facet of a beautiful diamond, called to think “we” before “me” and to understand that only together will the Vincentian charism burn at its brightest .
Fr. Agostino closed with heartfelt gratitude for the privilege of serving the Family for more than a decade—years filled with learning, friendship, challenges, grace, cultural richness, and countless signs of God’s presence among the poor. His final words echoed with emotion and renewed mission: “As we celebrate this 10th Anniversary, we recommit ourselves to this Mission… that we may be heralds of hope for our world.”
A New Chapter: Introducing the New Director of the Vincentian Family Office
At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, Fr. Tomaž Mavrič, C.M., President of the Vincentian Family Executive Board, announced the new Director of the Vincentian Family Office:
Sr. Ellen Marie Hagar, D.C., Daughter of Charity from the Province of St. Louise, St. Louis, USA.
Her appointment takes effect immediately and marks the beginning of a new stage of service, collaboration, and global outreach for the Vincentian Family.
Looking Ahead With Hope: A Message for the Entire Vincentian Family
As the sun set on this day of celebration, gratitude, and transition, the Vincentian Family stood united—strong in its history, grateful for the leadership of Fr. Joe Agostino, and ready to welcome the vision and energy of Sr. Ellen Marie Hagar.
This anniversary was more than a commemoration; it was a calling.
A reminder that our dignity comes from God alone.
A rekindling of the fire that drives us to ask, again and again: What must be done?
A moment to reaffirm that the Vincentian mission is not the task of one individual, nor even one branch, but of a global family committed to building a kingdom of justice, love, and peace.
May we continue forward—senior and young, lay and consecrated, leaders and volunteers—as one Vincentian Family.
May we nurture the flame that has burned from the time of St. Vincent and St. Louise, and allow it to shine more brightly in the years ahead.
And may the Holy Spirit fill us with courage, creativity, and a hopeful heart as together we make Christ known and serve Him in those most in need.
The future of our mission is full of promise. Let us walk into it with dignity, unity, and unshakable hope.
Congratulations to Father Joe whose vision, organizational skill and hard work has brought the Vincentian Family to the world, and with humility, hands the leadership over to Sister Ellen Marie who is entrusted with carrying on this great work. I hope she has a current passport!