Volume : 03 (For Private circulation among members only) July - September - 2012

MESSAGE St. Vincent de Paul: Model of Vincent’s early life was shrouded with less complexity, but not superficial. He becomes a man of action to a remark- Charity in the Church doubts and questions as he was not a born . In his early priestly life, he able degree. He comprehends com- September 27 is a very significant day found himself succumbing to the cravings pletely that the service of the poor was for us the members of the Vincentian for the mundane things of the terrestrial a supreme act of love, the sign of a real Family. On this day we celebrate the world rather than seeking the spiritual follower of the gospel. In the rest of his feast of St. Vincent de Paul who is an domain. He wished to misuse his priestly life he immersed himself in all types of ever living inspiration for each one of office for obtaining benefices like any charitable services. us. Therefore we are delighted to cel- one of other ecclesiastics of his time and He realized the need of having orga- ebrate his feast in a fitting manner. On to acquire a life of comfort with his kith nized structure for the sustainability of this occasion let me wish all the mem- and kin. the charitable services that he began to bers of the Vincentian Family, a very A series of events and interior experi- initiate. This is materialized when he happy feast! May St. Vincent de Paul, ences that marked the turn in the life of was in Chattilon. He came across a sick our role model intercede for us espe- Vincent were - his exiled life as a slave family on the brink of death due to star- cially in our endeavour to evangelise the in Tunis, the time when he was branded vation. So aghast and grieved was he poor. wrongly as a thief by his fellow-lodger, that he made an appeal during the fol- Pope Benedict XVI in his first encycli- the time when a doctor of theology con- lowing Sunday’s homily and was over- cal letter Deus Caritas Est of Decem- fided in him his strife against faith, his whelmed to find umpteen parishioners ber 25, 2005 eulogizes St. Vincent for struggle to keep his own faith unshaken, rushing to help the family. He could his extraordinary contribution and com- his experience at Clichy as Parish Priest perceive then that this type of helping mitment for the causes of the poor. “Let in 1612; his friendship with Berule, the will not solve the family’s problem. Af- us consider the , who exercised founder of Oratorians and Francis de ter a week again the family would be in charity in an exemplary way… The fig- need again. So he understood the need ures of saints such as… Vincent de Paul Sales, the founder of the Order of Visi- of getting it organized. He collaborated …. stands out as lasting models of so- tation, the influence of some exemplary with the eminent ladies of the parish and cial charity for all people of good will” lay persons like Madame de Gondi, and formed “Confraternities of Charity” and (DCE 40).We are to be proud of hav- above all his own personal experience similarly in Paris the “Association of the ing such a long visionary as our founder at Folleville in 1617 when finally brought Ladies of Charity” in order to maintain or patron or source of inspiration. His self realization of his need to serve the continuity of the service. The member- life and works created an indelible im- Master and he thus decided to conse- ship to this association is extended to pression in each one of us. Let us imi- crate his entire life to God and in the volunteers of any status of life. tate this hero. service of the destitute. Vincent, while understanding the need St. Vincent de Paul, born of humble Vincent, very much alike St. Paul or St. peasant parents, achieved the glory of Augustine thereafter began leading a life of lifelong dedication for the being the patron of all the charitable of sacrosanctity and closing out all vices sustainability and the stability of the activities of the Church. He stood as an and making his way through the hallowed works he began understood the need example displaying indomitable fortitude portals of holiness. He becomes a real of having some simple girls who could and courage in the service of the poor man, humble but not defeatist, gentle but remain in the company for life in celi- and the abandoned. not weak, simple and opposed to point- bacy and serve the poor. This led to the origin of the “Sisters of Charity” or the and it is expressed in catering their needs teered to provide food and lodging. The “Daughters of Charity” in November concretively (effective love). Vincent other expenses will be met from the 29, 1633. The members of these com- stressed on propagating love both ‘af- contributions of the participants. Fr. munities pledged to serve and help the fective and effective’ towards the poor, Francis Puthenthayil CM, the National drown-trodden and the needy. Vincent to be compassionate and assimilate the Coordinator is asked to form a local also involved many men especially a suffering of another which would auto- committee which will meticulously ar- number of clerics to be evangelizers of matically lead to destroying the evils af- range the needful for conducting the the poor. He was also engaged in vari- flicting the world of the poor. He priori- seminar. At the end of the meeting, the ous other charitable activities like - re- tizes effective love and opines that com- Executive Body expressed profound organization and reformation of the hos- placency, benevolence, and interior af- gratitude to the Vincentian Fathers at pitals, the upliftment of galley slaves, fections though desirable but hold no Kengery for their generosity to avail establishment of orphanages, providing ground unless they are practiced with everything needed for conducting the relief and comfort to the beggars, the genuineness. meeting there. aged and also to the famine affected. A Good Samaritan, Vincent carried out Fr. George Ayaloor CM leaves for In short his charitable services touched his duties relentlessly with fathomless higher Studies to Spain all areas of life. In nutshell, he extended fervour and zeal. He dedicated his life his services to all; sundry and in varied to emulate the teachings of Jesus Fr. George Ayaloor CM who was head- fields. But still he dreamed more…. through self effacement and self ag- ing the formation programme of the Appreciating his charitable services, in grandizement. His charitable works were VFI from 2009 to 2012, is leaving for May 12, 1885 Pope Leo XIII declared not merely a human sympathy and phi- Spain for higher studies. The VFI is im- St. Vincent de Paul as the Patron of all lanthropy but it is a Christian charity at mensely grateful to Fr. George Ayaloor works of charity in the Universal its best. Thus he is a model of charity in CM for conducting the seminars so ef- Church. Many wish to follow his foot- the Church in every sense as well as for ficiently. VFI also wishes him every steps. That is why counting together every one of the members of the success for his higher studies in Spain. more than 268 institutions have adopted Vincentian Family who are immersed in Fr. Simon Kaipuram CM, his vision of serving the poor. the works of charity. the new Coordinator of Often the query arose as to what was Rev. Fr. Francis Puthenthayil, CM Formation Programme secret of his success? There is only one National Coordinator, VFI answer: Vincent’s personal holiness of Rev. Fr. Simon Kaipuram CM has gra- life, his intimate and continuous union NEWS - NATIONAL ciously accepted to be the new coordi- with our Lord Jesus Christ. He surren- nator of the Formation Programme of dered his body, mind, will, and affec- National Executive Body Meeting: VFI. Rev. Fr. Varghese Pudussery VC tions to the Lord and Master of love. The National Executive Body meeting agreed to be the co-coordinator of the In all things he had one ambition: to imi- was held on 21st of August at De Paul formation programme. Sr. Maria tate Christ; one standard or rule of Institute of Religion and Philosophy, Kalloorthottil DC will support the team life: the maxims of the Gospel; one Kumalagode, Kengery, Bangalore (Ma- in the capacity of secretary. Others way of life: to be a humble, simple, jor Seminary of the Vincentian Congre- members such as Sr. Rita SCN and Sr. meek, mortified and zealous in gation). During the meeting there was a Celine John SCV will continue to be gaining souls; one abiding joy: to special emphasis on the forthcoming the members of the said team. serve as an instrument in the hands seminars at Ranchi and in Bangalore. Core Committee for of Divine Providence. He lived in Since the next annual gathering of the Christ and for Christ. His vivid and joy- Major Superiors/heads of VFI will be Seminar at Ranchi ous awareness of Christ in the poor and preceded with a three day seminar on The Executive Body of VFI formed a suffering people of the world gave him ‘systemic changes’, which is going to be core-committee for making necessary thrust and endurance to carry out all conducted by very eminent resource arrangements for the seminar. Sr. his works of charity. persons (Rev. Fr. Robert P. Maloney and Basanti Lakra SCN, the Provincial Su- How he loved the poor and the needy? the members of International Commis- perior of Patna and Bro. M.C. Mathew He saw Jesus in the poor and there- sion for Systemic Changes), the Execu- SSVP, CC President of Ranchi is nomi- fore he loved them as lords and mas- tive Body has decided to invite more nated as the convener and secretary ters. This attracted him to have a pas- participants. The SCN sisters have spon- respectively. The first meeting was held sionate love for them (affective love) sored to host the programme and volun- on September 6, 2012 at house of SCN sisters in Ranchi. The team is actively the members of the Vincentian Family come credible and joy-filled wit- working for the success of the seminar in India. nesses capable of leading others to on ‘Systemic Changes’. the faith. The expression “New evan- Seminar on “New Evangelisation gelization” means Evangelisation that is Visit of Sr. Evelyne Franc DC, Superioress in the year of Faith” in the Month new in its ardor, in its methods and in General of the Daughters of Charity of May 2013 its expression taking into consideration Sr. Evelyne Franc DC, the Superioress of the signs of the time. Understanding General of the DC paid a visit to India As we know the Year of Faith begins on the importance of the subject which on the occasion of the blessing of the October 11, 2012 and will run until the takes for reflection, the executive body New Provincial Curia of the Daughters Solemnity of Christ the King on Novem- of VFI together with the Formation of Charity of the South Indian Province ber 24, 2013. The commencement of team decided to have this theme “New on 27th of September 2012, the feast Year of the Faith coincides with the fif- Evangelisation in the year of Faith” for day of St. Vincent de Paul. On the same tieth anniversary of the opening of the our forthcoming seminar at Bangalore. day she met the members of the Second Vatican Council and the twenti- It will be held at St. Vincent’s Semi- Vincentian Family of the local unit at eth anniversary of the release of the nary (Formation House of the Daugh- Bangalore. Fr. Francis Puthenthayil Catechism of the Catholic Church. The ters of Charity of the South Indian Prov- CM, the National Coordinator was synod of Bishops on the New ince), Hallehalli, Bangalore from 1 to 5 present on the occasion. He briefed her Evangelisation with the theme “The new May 2013. Maximum number of par- about the VFI. Sr. Evelyne Franc ad- Evangelisation for the transmission of the ticipants shall be 40. Participants are mired and appreciated the steady Christian Faith” will also be held in the requested to register their name at the growth of VFI. Being the successor of month of October 2012. The year of the earliest. The persons responsible for St. Louis de Marillac, the co-founderess Faith aims at (i) giving a fresh impe- conducting the formation programme as of the Daughters of Charity, she en- tus to the mission of the whole well as for the communication will be couraged the VFI and assured her sup- Church (ii) through renewed conver- Fr. Simon Kaipuram CM, Fr. Varghese port to vibrate the Vincentian Charism. sion to the Lord and (iii) the redis- Pudussery VC and Sr. Maria She sends her cordial greetings to all covery of faith in order that we be- Kallurthottil DC. Their addresses as follows: NEWS – REGIONAL 1. Rev. Fr. Simon Kaipuram CM Andhra Pradesh Region Aquinas College REGIONAL MEETING Gopalpur – on – sea – 761002 Ganjam Dt. Odisha Vincentian Family -Andhra Pradesh Fr.Thomas Enchackal,C.M. The Tel. No. 09437809413 Region conducted the Fourth Regional branches gave reports on their activi- e-mail: [email protected] Meeting at Good Shepherd Regional ties. It was decided to have the Fifth House, Chinna Autapalli, Vijayavada Regional Meeting at De Paul Bhavan, 2. Rev. Fr. Varghese Pudussery VC on 14th July 2012. Participants at- Yendada, Visakhapatnam on 12th Janu- De Paul Institute of Religion and tended from CM, VC, DC and SSVP. ary 2013. Philosophy, The resource person for the day was Kumalagode, Kengery, Bangalore -560074 e-mail : [email protected]

3. Sr. Maria Kallurthottil DC St. Vincent’s Provincialate 5, Banaswadi Road, Cooke Town Bangalore 560005 e-mail : [email protected] AN APPEAL We request the Congregations / Associations / Individuals to spon- sor at least for one issue of Vinfam India LIVES OF VINCENTIAN SAINTS AND BLESSEDS St.John Gabriel PerboyreCM, China mission along with two Vincentian Four Themes in his Spirituality 1802-1840 Priests and six other missionaries. After The purpose of this article is modest. It was born on 6th seventeen months of travelling he asks: What went on inside this genu- inely holy man? How did he see God? January 1802 at Puech in the diocese reached the province of Honan in Au- gust 1837 and then to Hu-Pei. Persecu- How did he look at his mission? What of Cahors , in France. His parents were was his attitude toward those around Pierre Perboyre and Marie Rigal. John tion started in China and any foreign missionary was found, he would be put him? What shape did his prayer-life was the eldest son of a family of four take? to death. Fr.Perboyre and a few others I. Devotion to providence “I love the were hiding in a forest but he was caught mystery of Providence very much.” and tied hands and feet with heavy chains. II. His love for the mission “How When questioned he bravely confessed happy I am for such a wonderful that he was a Christian priest and came vocation.” to China to proclaim faith to those ready to accept Jesus. The persecutors were III. Love for the community “I would give a thousand lives for it.” very angry and he was tortured severely and thrown into a filthy dungeon. After IV. Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary thirty days of severe persecution he was “The whole world is filled with the moved to another place. Once the saint mercy of Mary.” was asked to trample down a crucifix Let us learn from this our martyr saint which was thrown in front of him. But to have deep faith and love for the pas- he bent down and kissed the crucifix. sion of Jesus and sanctify our daily crosses and sufferings, enduring them The persecutors were furious and his suf- as he did for the love of the Lord. fering was intensified. The Church celebrates his feast on In March and April 1840, Fr.Perboyre 11th September. was tormented with terrible tortures , but Sr.Anne,DC he remined un yielding . The viceroy fi- Bangalore nally condemned the saint to death by girls and four boys of which three boys strangulation for the fault of illegal entry became Vincentian priests and two into China and propagating faith there. daughters became Daughters of Char- The saint prayed all the time preparing ity and the third one died just as she himself for the supreme sacrifice of life was preparing to join novitiate. Since . He was led to be executed where a John was the eldest son he had to take cross had been erected. He knelt down care of the family. When his brother and offered his life to God. The execu- Louis expressed his desire to join semi- tioner placed a noose of rope around his nary, John was sent to accompany him neck and pulled his head back against since he was sickly and thirteen years the cross. They tightened the rope on of age. At that time Rev.Fr. Jaques his throat three times. Without any exte- Perboyre CM, the uncle of john was rior sign of convulsion his body sagged running the seminar, at Montaubin. Af- forward and died on a Friday noon , 11th ter a few months stay in Seminary with September 1840. His body remained Louis, John decided to join and become hanging on the cross till the next day. a priest. In 1818 he joined the seminary His body was buried near three Jesuit priests tomb by a few faithful. Twenty and was called “The young Saint” due Editor’s Address to his practice of mortification, charity years later, his mortal remains to the and self sacrifice. He was ordained a Vincentian Mother House in Paris where V.RAJESWARA RAO priest on 23rd September 1826. He had they were preserved with . Shanthi Nagar, Rajam – 532 127 cherished a desire to go to Chinese mis- Many miracles followed due to his in- Srikakulam Dt. (AP) sion, but contrary to his desire , he was tervention. He was beatified by Pope Leo M: 09440165220; 08297265030 XIII on 10th November 1889 and Pope sent to the seminary of St. Flour to teach Email: [email protected] John Paul II elevated him to the rank of Theology where he became Rector in [email protected] 1827. In 1835 he was allowed to go on saints on 2nd June 1996. Printed and published by Rev.Fr.Francis Puthenthayil,CM, National Coordinator, VFI Editor: V.RAJESWARA RAO, National Secretary, VFI- Sub Editor: I.PRAKASHAM, Member, VFI Printed at : Raja Kishore Offset Printers, Vizianagaram - 535 001, Ph : 08922-225826