Celebrating 400 years of Vincentian generosity

This year the Vincentian family, made up of 25 lay and religious organisations including the SVP, will celebrate the 400th anniversary of its work and spirituality.

Celebrations will be taking place across England and Wales to mark four centuries since St Vincent de Paul first organised the first Vincentian charity in Chatillon, France.

On 24 June 2017, the SVP hosted a day of talks, reflections and prayers in Liverpool to bring members together and gave thanks for the work being done for the most vulnerable in society and those who make it possible.

A Symposium for the entire Vincentian Family will take place in Rome from 12-15 October 2017. Pope Francis will be attending and making an address.

These events will mark 400 years since St Vincent set up the Ladies of Charity, a small band of women who came together to organise and distribute the huge outpouring of generous donations from St Vincent's parishiors.

This work of organising and disseminating generous contributions from all our supporters continues today across the Vincentian Family.

In the SVP it means nearly 10,000 members, and 500 community support project volunteers dedicating time and energy, prayer and creativity to serving the lonely, marginalised and most vulnerable in society.

SVP National President Adrian Abel said: "At the heart of Vincentian Spirituality is serving Christ in the poor, and being Christ to the poor as part of a family. This is the charism that the Vincentian family has been built upon, and it has motivated and inspired hundreds of thousands of people to bring Christ's love to those in need. I am delighted to be part of this work and would encourage anyone who feels called to do so, to join us."

Members interested in attending the Symposium in Rome can read more here and click here to register.