Even before the economic crisis was set off by the coronavirus pandemic, the International Vincentian Family has been carrying out a number of projects to help the poor. For example, the “13 Houses” campaign, currently underway in 40 countries, aims to provide permanent housing to the homeless.
Today, the Vincentians count on approximately four million people and 161 branches or congregations in lay institutes worldwide.
FR. JOSEPH AGOSTINO
International Coordinator for the Vincentian Family Office
“In Lima, Peru, we're dealing with food distribution and access to drinkable water for those in poverty. In Honduras, nine centers were created for at-risk elderly and the young, where they actually live and have all their needs met. In the Congo, we've established medical centers for the treatment of COVID. In Rwanda, we've been dealing with refugee camps, trying to provide food and education opportunities, especially for the young.”
Following the charism of St. Vincent de Paul, the mission of the Vincentian Family is to bring people of diverse backgrounds together to serve the poor.
FR. JOSEPH AGOSTINO
International Coordinator for the Vincentian Family Office
“[St. Vincent de Paul] saw that it had to be done simultaneously, both in the preaching of the Word and in the meeting of their everyday needs. For him, you cannot separate the two. He was able to see beyond the concrete services—the realities—to the presence of God, especially in the face of the poor person.”
Although the pandemic has interrupted some of the Vincentian Family's projects, including the “13 Houses” campaign in Philadelphia, its members are determined to keep up with their mission.
FR. JOSEPH AGOSTINO
International Coordinator for the Vincentian Family Office
“Even after COVID, our work with homelessness is not going to end. It predated COVID, and it certainly is going to go on after COVID. COVID has exasperated the work; it did not initiate it, and it will not end it.”
The Vincentian Family has also created a webpage, famvin.net, to showcase its different projects and connect them to donors interested in supporting their work.
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