Vincentian Family launches Jubilee Year

THE Vincentian Family composed of 14 groups spread all over the country will observe a Jubilee Year from Sept. 27, 2009 to Sept. 27, 2010 in honor of the 350th death anniversary of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac.

In an interview with Vincentian local superior and pastor of Sincaban Parish, Fr. Peter Hequilan, CM said, since the Vincentian Family is present this local church and in many of the dioceses in the Philippines, the program of the Jubilee Year will reinforce the thrust of their founders St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac to build the Church of the Poor. With the theme “Charity and Mission,” the year-long celebration will be highlighted by a series of events and activities in order to give homage to St. Vincent and St. Louise as witnesses to and examples of love and service of the poor.

Hequilan added, St. Vincent de Paul is the Patron Saint of the Universal Church for all works of charity, while St. Louise de Marillac is the Patron Saint of all social workers and those involved in social works.
He added that the previous Vincentian Fathers who were assigned for the mission and charitable apostolates of this local church were Fr. Vince Robles, CM, Fr. Cirino Potrido, CM, Fr. Dandy Labitag, CM and Fr. Manny Lapaz, CM.

The local church of Ozamiz currently has four Vincentian clergy including the prelate who have been assigned to the following parishes: Archbishop Jesus A. Dosado, CM, Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish and San Lorenzo Ruiz Filipino-Chinese Community; Fr. Peter Hequilan, CM, Sinacaban Parish; Fr. Rowel Consolacion, CM, Conception Parish and Fr. Mel Rodas, CM, Don Victoriano Parish.
Hequilan added that there are three Daughters of Charity Sisters who have been assigned at the La Salle Univerity, Ozamiz City.

Apart from the liturgical celebrations that would be observed in various parts of the country, the Vincentian Family has also organized various activities aimed at deepening the Vincentian charism. Foremost among these are a Vincentian Youth Congress, a Jubilee Formation Series, mobile photo exhibits, commemorative song album, and the recitation of a special jubilee prayer in observance of the Jubilee Year.

The Vincentian Family is made up of religious congregations and organizations that were either founded by St. Vincent de Paul and/or that follow the Vincentian spirituality and charism of service to the poor.
It also has a rich and long tradition of Charity and Mission that dates back to 1617 for the Ladies of Charity, 1625 for Congregation of the Mission and 1633 for the Daughters of Charity.

At present there are more than 250 congregations and associations who live out the Vincentian Charism in more than 90 countries spread in all the continents.
The Vincentian Family is made up of religious congregations and associations, that were either founded by St. Vincent de Paul and/or that follow the Vincentian Spirituality and Charism of service to the poor. In the Philippines the following groups make up the Vincentian Family: The Ladies of Charity – AIC (International Association of Charities) Philippines; The Congregation of the Mission – C.M.

(Vincentian Fathers and Brothers); The Daughters of Charity – D.C.; The Association of the Children of Mary Immaculate – Vincentian Marian Youth (CoM-VMY); The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP); The Young Ladies Association of Charity (YLAC); The Sister Handmaids of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul (SMdC); The Association of St. Louise de Marillac (LUISAS); Brothers of Charity (FC); The Association of the Miraculous Medal (AMM); Sisters of Charity of Our Lady Mother of Mercy (SCMM); The Alumni Associations of the schools administered by the Daughters of Charity and the Congregation of the Mission and the Vincentian Family Multi-purpose Cooperative.
Hequilan stressed that in the Philippines Vincentians are in Angono, Rizal; Bontoc-Lagawe, Mountain Province; Cadlan, Pili Camarines Sur; Subangdaku; Mandauw City, Mabolo Cebu City; Calumpang I Jaro, Iloilo City, Loreto, Tubajon, Surigao del Norte, Malimono; Manila Central House; Adamson University; Muntinlupa City; Ozamiz City, Don Victoriano, Sincaban, Conception; Quezon City: Provincial House, De Paul House, St. Vincent Seminary and St. Vincent School of Theology, Payatas.

“While outside of the country, Filipino Vincentians are in: Beiru, Lebanon; Honiara, Solomon Islands; Khon Kaen and Sampharan, Thailand; Kobe City, Japan; Korea; Leuven, Belgium; Los Angeles, USA; North Fitzroy, Australia; Papua New Guinea; Rome, Italy; Taiwan and Thessaloniki, Greece.”

Hequilan said that all members of the Vincentian Family including those who studied in schools run by the Vincentian Fathers and Daughters of Charity are encouraged to join various contests planned for the Jubilee Year celebration. These contests include a national search for best practices of Vincentian Charity, a jubilee year theme-song writing, video essay and oratorical contests.
A special stage presentation, entitled “San Vicente: A Zarzuela,” is being arranged by the Adamson University and the Vincentian Center for Identity and Mission in coordination with the Vincentian Family Coordinating Council.

Catholic faithful around the world will commemorate this September 27 the 350th death anniversary of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac, the patron saints of those involved in charity and social works, respectively.
“The commemoration is part of the Jubilee Year for all the Vincentians here and abroad with the theme ‘“Charity – Mission”’ to give homage to Sts. Vincent and Louise who in their lifetime stood as witnesses to and examples of love and service of those in situations of poverty and misery.” Hequilan concluded.