The entire Vincentian Family prepares to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the birth of the Vincentian Charism that will take place throughout the year 2017. 

In a video posted on the occasion of the feast of Pentecost, Father Gregory Gay (Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission) addressed a message to the Vincentians:  "We have closed the Year of Vincentian Collaboration and we are beginning the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the birth of the Vincentian Charism from January 2017. And finally each Vincentian branch is asked to work during the rest of 2016's on the theme "I was a stranger and you welcomed me" - Matthew 25,35

From May 15, 2016 onwards, the international leaders of the Vincentian Family will take responsibility for developing a reflective process of consultation with their particular branch of the Family, working closely with their regional and national bodies. 

They are invited to focus on the following questions:

Who are the strangers in our midst?
How are we currently supporting them?
What new needs are emerging?
How might we respond to these needs?
Might we be the strangers in need of welcoming?

This consultation and the ideas emerging from it will allow each Vincentian Family branch to develop a work plan by October 2016 to be rolled out in 2017.