VATICAN CITY, JUL 21, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father has sent a Message to Fr. Gregory Gay, superior general of the Congregation of the Missions, as the members gather in Rome from July 5 to 29 for their 40th General Assembly, whose theme this year is: "Our Vincentian Identity Today, Having Lived the New Constitution for 20 Years: Evaluation and Three Challenges for the Future." The Congregation was founded in 1625 by St. Vincent de Paul.
The Pope notes in the Message, dated July 18 and made public today, that, "responding generously to the needs of the Church in his day, Saint Vincent de Paul placed the evangelization of the poor and the formation of the clergy at the centre of his vision for your Congregation. As you have grown in number and spread throughout the world, your apostolate has naturally taken on many new forms, but these two aspects remain central."
John Paul II says that "four centuries after your foundation, the task of 'bringing good news to the poor' remains as urgent as ever. Not only do millions of people throughout the world lack the basic necessities of life, but the modern world is afflicted by many other forms of poverty. Your Congregation is called to explore new ways of conveying the liberating message of the Gospel to our suffering brothers and sisters."
He writes that "many generations of priests have reason to thank your Congregation for the formation they have received at your hands. The importance of this apostolate cannot be overstated. Consequently it is essential to assign exemplary priests to this work: priests of human and spiritual maturity, pastoral experience, professional competence, capable of working with others. Many Vincentians with these very qualities nobly dedicated themselves to priestly formation in the past."
In closing, the Pope highlights their "outstanding contributions," adding: "But you also have a great history still to be accomplished! As you seek to consider how best to live the Vincentian charism, my message to you is this: 'Duc in altum!' Put out into the deep! Do not be afraid to venture forth, to put out the nets for a catch. The Lord Himself will be your guide!"
JPII-MESSAGE/VINCENTIANS:MISSION/GAY VIS 20040721 (370)
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