Official Website of the Vincentian Family
news
Latest News from the Vincentian Family
formation
Vincentian Formation
reflections
Living a Vincentian Life
featured
Don’t miss this!
featured series
Our featured series
homelessness
Homelessness & 13 Houses
vinFormation
Media Resources for the Vincentian Family
We Are Vincentians
Formation Resources for the Vincentian Family
FAMVIN app
Stay in touch with the FAMVIN app
Vincentian Retreat
A 5-day Vincentian Retreat (PDF)
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Contemplation: A Virtuous Inspiration
James Davis, a joyful and faithful Vincentian, touched countless lives despite years of suffering. A devoted family man and respected leader, he inspired others through his writing, workshops, and heartfelt presence. His friendship and legacy of love, service, and spiritual guidance continue to bless all who knew him.
Examples That Inspire Admiration: Mr. Getúlio’s “Stubbornness”
At 83, Getúlio do Espírito Santo Torres, from Imperatriz (Maranhão), keeps the flame of the SSVP alive. Despite illness and the weakening of the Conferences, he has never lost hope or the joy of serving. A true example of faith, perseverance, and Vincentian love, he welcomes missionaries, takes part in activities, and celebrates the return of young people to the SSVP in Maranhão.
VII Ibero-American Meeting of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Panama, Under the Theme “Bringing Hope”
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.
Contemplation: One in Love
Love for God has two forms: affective love (warm feelings, contemplation) and effective love (action and service). St. Vincent teaches that true love is proven by work done for others, especially the poor. As Aquinas said, to love is to will the good of another; thus, to love God is to do His will by serving those in need, uniting faith and works in love.
Contemplation: The First and Final Principle
The Vincentian vocation reveals an irony: by serving others, we grow in holiness ourselves. Frédéric Ozanam taught that charity unites love of God, neighbor, and self—not as selfishness, but as gratitude for God’s gift of life. True love of neighbor flows from divine love within us, making every act of service an act of love for God.
Contemplation: Go Gently, Pray Much
Vincentians are called to act for the poor with patience and discernment, remembering that God works in His own time. Urgency must be balanced by prayer, unity, and consensus, seeking not quick results but God’s will. True success and holiness come from selfless service, guided by the Spirit, trusting that works rooted in God will endure.
When More Is Less
As requests for aid increase, Vincentians face the challenge of expanding services without losing their spiritual essence. True charity, rooted in love, humility, and personal encounter, risks becoming transactional when efficiency outweighs compassion. Growth must honor Vincentian values—keeping service Christ-centered, personal, and transformative, never just operational or bureaucratic.
Contemplation: Fully and Creatively
St. Vincent taught that love is “inventive even to infinity,” seen supremely in the Eucharist, where Christ ensures His abiding presence. In Communion, we unite with Jesus, the Church, and all the faithful—living and departed—sharing the joy of the Communion of Saints. The Eucharist inspires us to love and serve others, embodying Christ’s presence among the poor and uniting us in holiness.
A Call to Mission: SSVP-Brazil Holds a National Meeting on Evangelization in Existential Peripheries
For three days, Solar da Harmonia welcomed Vincentians from all over Brazil for formative and spiritual experiences. The symposium reinforced that the mission stems from welcoming people and listening to the poor, encouraging concrete actions to revitalize and expand the SSVP.
Celebrating 160 years of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Western Australia
Marking 160 years in Western Australia, the St Vincent de Paul Society celebrates its enduring mission to serve those in need with love, justice, and hope. From humble beginnings, it has grown to over 1,000 Conferences nationwide, aiding thousands through housing, counselling, and advocacy, while continuing Frédéric Ozanam’s vision of tackling poverty’s root causes.
Contemplation: Redeeming Our Miles
Encounters with neighbors in need reveal both the fragility of life and the transforming power of compassion. Yet repeated requests from the same people can stir impatience and judgment. Volunteers struggle between mercy and frustration, questioning whether they truly extend to others the same grace they hope to receive themselves.
Contemplation: A System of Love
Systemic change, rooted in God’s plan, reflects the Vincentian call to move beyond almsgiving toward transforming structures that keep people in poverty. Inspired by Scripture and tradition, it seeks to empower the poor, foster trust, and promote justice. From early apprenticeships to community collaboration, it embodies faith in action, aiming to build a true “civilization of love.”