Issue 3/2020 Council General International - Society of St Vincent de Paul Bl. Antoine-Frédéric Ozanam’s Process Takes a Step Forward Results of the The SSVP Back International Special interview International to Tanzania Friendship with the Contest for Network President General Félix Clavé Page 5 Page 46 Page 55 Page 62 1 Summary editorial 3 world news Christmas Message 2020 4 o Italy: Castelli Prize: Prison Writers, the themed year of félix clavé 5 thirteenth edition 35 international activities o Vincentians in Ecuador Struggle against the Pandemic 37 Twinning Report 7 o Help Comes to Venezuela from the President General Meets with Paris’ staff 8 o o International SSVP 38 The President General Attends Several o Lebanon: Rebuilding Beirut, Rebuilding Lives 40 Meetings in Rome 10 o Benin: DANNOU’s Fréderic Ozanam Health Commission for International Aid and o o Centre: From a Dream to Reality: 41 Development 12 SSVP Haiti: Supporting 500 Households in Members from around the world speak to o o their Fight against the Pandemic 43 President General 14 President General Attends the National First Virtual Annual Meeting Held by Council o o Council of USA 44 General International 17 o The SSVP Scotland’s 175th Anniversary 44 o The Council General Celebrates 4 years in Office 18 o Annual General Meeting, 2020 National Council of India 45 church and ssvp o SSVP PLUS: The SSVP Back to Tanzania 46 o Council General’s Request that Ozanam Be Declared ‘Doctor of the Church’ 19 youth Recruitment: President General Attends a o Fires at Churches are a Threat to the o Expression of Religious Freedom 20 Youth Formation in Portugal 49 Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati 50 o A Prayer to the Creator 21 o canonisation o The ssvp’s international youth committee supports virtual vincentian youth exchanges 53 o 95th Anniversary of Ozanam’s Canonisation Process 22 o The International Youth Committee is launching the “International Friendship Bl. Frédéric Ozanam’s Sainthood Process o Network” project 55 Takes a Step Forward 24 o The Conferences, a lifestyle 57 o President General Meets Brazil’s Military Archbishop 26 our fellow members vincentian history o Despite the Pandemic 58 solidarity o The SSVP Marks the 100th Anniversary of Being Officially Recognised as an o Appeal of the Month 59 Autonomous Body of the Church 28 international formation Vincentian Family o Doing Well By Doing Good 60 Saved by seeing anew 30 o o Training meeting on Amélie Ozanam 61 o Letters written by Superior General, Tomaž 32 International Board’s Major Achievements 62 Mavrič, CM. Highlighted by President General spirituality agenda 2021 68 o Coronavirus, in between lockdown and new organizational chart of the cgi 69 service 33 strategic goals 2016-2022 70 Chairman: Carlos LAFARGA Acknowledgements to our Translators’ Club for their work: Graphic Designer: Markinhos PERASSOLI Translation Coordinator: Ana CUERVO Rachael Barton Fábio Fronza Marguerite McMillan Head of Social Media: Mary Whilssy CANDELARIA Annie Callaghan Cleitom Gomes Charles Plock SSVP Representative Famvin International Geovana Cervantes Philip Kimmins Allan Ribeiro Communication Department: Karl HILA Eneida Fernández Catherine de Lamotte Antonio Sebastian Ozanam Network Graphics: Javier GUIJARRO Clermont Fortin Domingo López Joanna Waller 2 Renato Lima de Oliveira Editorial 16th President General Hoping for Better Days 2020 has come to an end, a year that will be It is evident that some of our members are having remembered in human history due to the global to cope with money worries and emotional health crisis that has taken thousands of lives, while distress. All these issues were addressed in bringing about countless negative consequences the recent Extraordinary Circular Letter, with for the global economy and countries, thus some recommendations as to how to face this exacerbating misery, unemployment and social unfortunate situation. Despite everything, we are vulnerability. absolutely confident that the Good Lord will never leave us alone. Students were kept out of school. The devout could not take part in celebrations or receive 2021 will be the year to make up for lost time. All sacraments. People could not hug or greet the activities to be undertaken in 2020 (the official each other. Families were kept apart to avoid inauguration of the new headquarters in Paris overcrowding. Conferences and Councils could not and several President General’s missionary trips) hold their regular meetings. Many poor people will be carried out in the years to come, with even were even left unattended. A tough year that will greater emphasis. We will compensate for all this be engraved on our minds. with hard work, commitment and service. As we know, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul has The Council General must move forward, since also been hit by the pandemic. Our Conferences, the International Confederation revolves around Councils and Special Works (notably day care Council General’s vigour and driving force to centers and nursing care homes) have changed “spread the virus of goodness”. their protocols. However, we are responding to this period with creativity and innovation. We This issue of “Ozanam Network” is packed with have made it through this year without greatly articles, news and information about how the SSVP compromising the services provided to those is accomplishing, with God’s grace, the previously who suffer. The Council General has boosted defined strategic goals, despite the pandemic. international humanitarian aid and intensified Enjoy your reading and stay with God. resources in many countries. 3 COMUNICACIÓNCHRISTMAS / DIVULGACIÓN Christmas Message 2020 Renato Lima de Oliveira 16th President General My dear brothers and sisters, members of SSVP This year has been very difficult due to the health And friends of the Vincentian Family, crisis that has affected all continents. And that is precisely why we will be celebrating Christmas in Merry Christmas! 2020 with much more vigour and enthusiasm. The angel said to Mary: “You will conceive and give Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the figure of the poor birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will sufferer, expects from us a truly more fraternal be great and will be called the Son of the Most High service of charity, bringing material bread together [...] his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1, 30-33) with spiritual bread to the needy, no matter where or how. The angel’s announcement to Our Lady is the certainty that Jesus, our redeemer, has come to Therefore, we wish all the SSVP members and our bring salvation to all who believe in God and in friends from the Vincentian Family throughout the Christ’s message. world a HAPPY and HOLY CHRISTMAS from the Lord, as a family, spreading peace and harmony around us, As Vincentians, we can never lose faith and hope and proclaiming that Christ is the living gift of God for that, with Christ, we will overcome all the difficulties humanity. that may arise in our journey, in this life. May 2021 - International Year of Jules Devaux - Our Vincentian Conferences, together with our represent a moment of rebirth, of regain and renewal, Councils and social works, have endeavoured in the hope of building a more just and united society. to serve, with love and dedication, the most disadvantaged and vulnerable, seeking to help them These are the wishes of the President General and to surmount the problems they encounter in life. the Council General for all of you. Dear brothers, dear sisters, Happy 2021! 4 THEMED YEAR OF FÉLIX CLAVÉ Results of the International Contest for Félix Clavé’s Thematic Year On the feast day of Blessed Frederic Ozanam, the CGI announced the results of the international contest for Félix Clavé’s thematic year, and also that 2021 will be devoted to Jules Devaux. The President General International, Renato Lima de Oliveira, on behalf of the Council General International, made public the results of the fourth International Literary Contest “the First Conference – International Thematic Year of Félix Clavé”. 1st Prize: Adenilton Faustino Moreira. Brazil: 1,000€ 2nd Prize: Thierry Vialatte de Pémille. France: 750€ 3rd Prize ex aequo: Obinna Frednard Ogbu. Nigeria / Eric Morell. Spain. España. 500€. Adenilton Faustino Moreira, 1st Prize 5 Results of the International Contest THEMED YEAR OF FÉLIX CLAVÉ for Félix Clavé’s Thematic Year Special Honorable Mention (Hors concours): Cláudia Márcia de Freitas Pereira. Brazil Honorable Mention: Philippe Menet. France. Njoku Collins. Nigeria. Aaron Galindo. Honduras. Grace Olofu. Nigeria. The SSVP’s Council General International also granted an equivalent amount to the Conference to which the author of the work belongs. The money granted to the Conference will be fully allocated to social work, activities or projects carried out by the Conference, represented by its President. The Council General has received 31 literary works submitted by members from the following continents: 3 from Europe, 13 from Africa, 3 from Asia, 10 from America and 2 from Oceania. We congratulate all the participants and all those who have helped Cláudia Márcia de Freitas was to organise this Contest. “The awarded with a Special Honorable Organising Committee is impressed with the contents and presentation Mention by President General of the works, which are improving year after year. The Council General welcomes the interest aroused within the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in the Thematic Year project, which aims at further delving into the work produced by each of the seven young founders. The key goal is to ensure that the knowledge shared by everyone concerning the emergence of the first Conference and the subsequent development of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul has an impact, that the history of the founders is known, that it is spoken about, that it is of value as an example, especially We would like to for the young people who are attending Conferences today.