Vincentians celebrate their 400th anniversary. Father Mavrič: “Pope Francis had a Vincentian heart. It is for us to preserve that legacy”

“Pope Francis had a Vincentian heart. He showed us with his life that the poor are not just an issue to be addressed, but a theological realm”. On the occasion of the celebrations marking the 400th anniversary of the religious institute founded by Saint Vincent de Paul, Father Tomaž Mavrič, Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission, shared his memories of the late Pontiff. “His legacy is our commitment,” he said, “to putting the Gospel into practice with acts of mercy in places where humanity is most fragile.” From 27 April to 1 May, the Congregation’s

motherhouse in Paris will welcome over 150 Vincentian missionaries, including numerous bishops from around the globe. A High Mass will be concelebrated by the Auxiliary Bishop of Paris. “It will be an occasion for gratitude and renewal,” says Fr Mavrič, “to return to our roots and set out afresh with renewed vigour, as the Holy Father has asked of us.” Founded in 1625, the Vincentian Congregation now has a presence in 102 countries. Our Vincentian motto, ‘He sent me to proclaim good news to the poor’, is the phrase that inspired St Vincent de Paul and remains at the heart of the Vincentian mission today. It is not our doing; it is Jesus’s mission that continues”, he remarked emphatically.

New forms of poverty and effective responses. The Vincentian charism is expressed today in the practical response to these new forms of poverty, whether they are material or spiritual. “We launched the ‘13 Houses for the Jubilee’ initiative in the Italian city of Catania in collaboration with the Vincentian Family”, he explained. The project involves providing homeless people with dignified housing. These are clear signs of a Church that is present in the peripheries, not just in words, but through her closeness to people. “The peripheries,” he adds, “are also of a cultural nature:

“The communities in which many of us live are increasingly intercultural. Some of these are not yet open to diversity, but the future belongs to sharing. Encountering other cultures is not only a challenge, but also a missionary opportunity, most notably in relation to migrants and refugees. When this happens, the mission takes on a deeper and more human dimension.”

Father Mavrič has lived in Argentina, Slovenia, Canada, Russia and Ukraine. “My vocation did not arise from any particular ability,” he says, “but from Jesus’ mercy. He saved me. It all started there. I look back on my years in Russia as seminal; it was a challenging yet deeply human experience. In Ukraine, I accompanied young people on their path of formation, sharing with them the beauty of consecrated life.” This awareness guides him in his pastoral discernment today. “There is a risk of trying to do too much and forgetting who we are. But our identity comes before efficiency. Faithfulness to our mission stems from that.”

Young people, spirituality and the future of mission. “Francis called for renewed missionary zeal, for rekindling the boldness of the Gospel in the hearts of the young,” he said with conviction. “It was a very moving request.

Young people yearn for authenticity, adventure, and open horizons. When we invite them to share in the mission, it ignites a spark. Words are not enough; what is needed is testimony.”

At the end of the celebrations for its 400th Jubilee, visitors to the Congregation from around the world will convene in Paris. They will discuss how to revitalise the Vincentian charism. “We must start anew from the foundations of our spirituality: the Incarnation, the Trinity, the Eucharist, Mary and Divine Providence,” he explained. “St Vincent emphasised five key virtues for us—simplicity, humility, gentleness, mortification and zeal—and four vows: chastity, poverty, obedience and stability.” ‘But we must also look ahead to the formation of the clergy, the accompaniment of seminarians, missions ad gentes, the social doctrine of the Church, and the role of the laity,” he added. There are also new missions: at least three are about to be launched. In a world marked by uncertainty and conflict, the mission remains a beacon of hope. “The ’13 Houses’ project is a concrete example of Vincentian synodality: a union of all the branches of the Family,” he concluded. “The future rests on walking together, serving and sharing the hope of the Gospel.”