PREAMBLE
"Happy is he who has regard for the lowly and the poor the Lord will help and preserve him" - Psalm 41:2-3

2013 is a very significant and special year for Vincentians as it marks the Bicentenary of the birth of our principal founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam. He was born on 23 April 1813 and co-founded the Society with 6 others on 23 April 1833 at the early age of 20 years. Through the grace of God the Society is actively pursuing her mission globally in 149 countries through over 800,000 members and serving over 35 million poor and needy. Our global reach and opportunity to expand to more countries is a challenge to our Vincentian mission and vocation in our continuing approach to alleviate the plight of the poor and vulnerable people. Over the past several years the world is beset with so many disasters, natural and political, and are also saddened by the economic and financial woes that is engulfing so many countries. These have caused tremendous hardships to people and families. The world, sadly, is constantly faced with vulnerable situations which invariably affects the lives of people. In our Vincentian vocation and mission we shall response in living out our charisma and ethos in serving Christ in the poor.

We furnish herewith the highlights of the main activities/events that transpired during the year:

COMMISSION FOR INTERNATIONAL AID & DEVELOPMENT

The Commission is engaged in and facilitates the provision of international aid and development for disaster relief efforts, rehabilitation projects, micro-financing, self-help, educational and other related systemic change projects, home for homeless, refugees etc. We list below some of the main activity programs:-

(i) Emergency Relief Services

This covers tragedies such as landslides, floods, typhoons, hurricanes, earthquakes and famines which were addressed by the Society in over 30 countries with serious issues spread out geographically in Africa, West, South East and North Asia, Indochina, Oceania & the Pacific Islands, North and South America, Europe and the Caribbean. To name a few, floods in Bangladesh, Tanzania, Malawi, Madagascar, Mexico, typhoons in Philippines, earthquakes in Pakistan, Guatemala and Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan are some of the main concerns.

(ii) Rehabilitation Projects

In the Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, Burkina Faso and Dominican Republic for the repairs and construction of new houses, social and educational programs to assist the people to return to the normal streams of society.

(iii)Development Projects

---- Haiti: education, micro-finance, fish farm, chicken and vegetable farm.
---- Mozambique : Crops and agriculture
---- Cameroon: Cybercafé
---- Senegal: Training Centers
---- Uganda: Garment and knitting wear centre
---- Lebanon and Jerusalem: Youth Training centre
and along with other systemic change programs to guide, support and sustain them to live dignified lives.

YOUTH

A major international youth meeting held in July in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, gathered 1,200 youths from branches of the Vincentian Family. They were put through a 4-day program of catechesis, spirituality and training focusing on the theme "New Forms of Poverty - Love God : Love your Neighbor". It was an inspiring program and they were energized with the desire to serve better the poor.

The youth group then participated in the World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro which was graced by the Holy Father, Pope Francis. It was a great moment for the youths to meet the Pope. It was an unforgettable moment for them.

Vincentian youths used the Media and IT to develop a network of charity. Through to social networks (Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter) groups of young SSVP members have created visible links between themselves to share their Faith, Spirituality and Charisma as Vincentians.

GLOBAL TRAINING PROGRAM

A global Formation and Training program in the Spirituality, leadership and members development were initiated and rolled out by Council General International (CGI) and within a period of 9 months about 100 National Presidents throughout the world have attended the program. This is done through a cascade training model and involve a train-a-trainer methodology and the objective is to train all Vincentians worldwide. This offers a cost effective and competent training program.

Launch of then Pope Benedict XVI’s Lenten Message

The Society was very privileged to be requested to participate in the launch of the then Pope Benedict XVI’s Lenten message on 1 February 2013. Dr. Michael Thio, President General of the Society, addressed the media at the Vatican Press office on that day as to how the mission of the Society draws parallel to the Holy Father’s Lenten message which focused on Faith and Charity invariably leading on to conversion and evangelization. The Vincentian members’ mission, spirituality, charisma and ethos bears witness to Christ in serving the poor and live out the Gospel values of Faith, Hope, Charity and Love. This exemplifies our Christian zeal and commitment in our mission and vocation in our Vincentian apostolate and also hopefully for people to encounter Christ in our witnessing to God in the poor.

BICENTENARY CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF BLESSED FREDERIC OZANAM

In honor of our principal founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, 200th birth anniversary being born on 23 April 1813, the Society celebrated this momentous event with a 3-day program 19-21 April 2013 in Paris which consisted of talks, exhibitions and pilgrimages to sites of Blessed Frederic Ozanam, St. Vincent de Paul and the Blessed Sr. Rosalie Rendu. The celebration culminated in a dedicated Bicentenary Mass at the Notre Dame Cathedral with a special message by Pope Francis to mark the occasion. A smaller scale celebration was held in Paris around 9 September 2013 on his feast day. Vincentians from other parts of the world gathered in Paris for the celebration. In the same vein, Vincentian countries globally held their own celebration to mark the occasion.

INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS

The Society participated in the following:-

--- The Pontifical Council Cor Unum meeting in Rome from 17-19 January 2013 with the theme on "Charity, Christian Anthropology and the New Global Ethics"
--- The Pontifical Council Cor Unum meeting in Rome on 4 June 2013 on developments on Syrian refugees and a side meeting with the Holy Father, Pope Francis.
--- The Vincentian Family Executive Committee meeting in Paris on 12 January 2013

The Society convened the following:-
--- The International Executive Committee and Permanent Section meetings in Rome in June 2013
--- Regional meetings of the International Structure for Africa 3 were held in Burundi, Western Europe in England and Austria, America 3 in Brazil and in the Caribbean.

VISITS OF THE PRESIDENT GENERAL

Dr. Michael Thio, President General, in the discharge of his international duties visited Canada, USA, England, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Sri Lanka, India, Hong Kong and New Zealand. He also participated in meetings in New York with the UN Liaison office, several NGOs(mainly Catholic ones) and Archbishop F. Chullikatt, Permanent Observer of the Holy See. SSVP is a UN-NGO within the jurisdiction of the UN Economic and Social Council(ECOSOC).

On his visits to the countries the President General inaugurated projects for new schools, Homes for the Homeless, Homes for special needs, Night Shelters, Kindergartens and crèches. Met and addressed members, volunteers, care-givers, staff and the Hierarchy. Also with donors viz individuals, corporations and foundations and in some countries with politicians and members of Government with whom the Society is involved in collaborative projects.

CHANGES IN THE COUNCIL GENERAL INTERNATIONAL BOARD

Julien Spiewak is the new Secretary General and Karl Michael Hila, is the new International Vice-President for Youth. Both were appointed to the Board in September 2013.

We thank the Holy Spirit for guiding and enlightening our members throughout the world in our Vincentian mission and vocation in our love for God serving Him in the poor and bear witness to Him.

To share the Good News and expound and live out the charism and ethos of the Society and our early founders in not only to serve the temporal and human needs of the poor but also to save souls. To edify our motto "Serviens in Spe" - "Service in Hope" - Hope for a better and dignified life and also to hopefully encounter the Love, Peace and Blessing of Christ.

"May your radiance of Charity of Charity be a beaming light in our Faith in action" - St. Vincent de Paul.

Dr. Michael Thio
President General
Date: 20 February 2014
(ref:CGIAnnualReport2013)