International delegates from MISEVI (Misioneros Seglares Vicencianos), including the Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission, as well as invited guests from other lay Vincentian missionary organizations, will meet beginning February 5, 2010, in Bogotá, Colombia. In his convocation letter of May, 2009, Fr. Gay, who is also Director General of MISEVI, expressed his hopes for the Assembly:

Our desire is to expand MISEVI to places where collaboration is of utmost importance, especially collaboration with the members of the Congregation of the Mission, the Daughters of Charity and other religious who are tied to the charism of St. Vincent de Paul.

The Motto of the Assembly is: MISEVI: a lay vocation to serve the mission.

In letters to all the representatives and invitees, the Coordinating Team shared the Assembly objectives:

+To review the progress of the Association, its work plans and ways of supporting lay missionaries.
+To review the balance sheets and financial budgets.
+To promote the renewal of the organizational structures of MISEVI.
+To choose the International Coordinating Team for the next four years.
+To develop a Work Plan for the period 2010-2014.

But it won’t just be work. Each of the national delegations has been asked to bring a flag of their country, regional costumes for a night of folklore, and crafts or products of the country for an “exposition of cultures.”. Additionally, the delegations are asked to prepare poster-like displays with photographs and materials describing their missionary activities.

The last International Assembly was held at Le Berceau in France in 2005. The planning commission and the host delegation have done a great deal of planning to make sure all feel welcome in Colombia. MISEVI members are eager to share important moments of formation and to engage (or reinforce) deep and strong ties of friendship.