March 2014

Superior General
Students and confreres, Alberoni College
1
From 28 February to 2 March, Father
Gregory took part in the International Assembly of
the Vincentian Lay Missionaries that was held in
San Jos de Costa Rica.
From there, he went to Rio de Janeiro to
take part in a meeting of the Daughters of Charity
together with Father Eli Chaves. It treated the topic
of the reconfiguration of the Brazilian Provinces.
Later he was present at part of the meeting
of the Finance Committee of the General Curia,
listening to the report of its activities and offering
some suggestions.
From 9 to 14 March, TEMPO FORTE was
held. It began with a spiritual retreat on 9 March,
at which all the members of the Curia participated.
We listened to a talk prepared by Father
Zeracristos on the topic of community life, the third
chapter of our Constitutions. During this week, all
the members of the Preparatory Commission of the
2
2016 General Assembly were present. On Saturday,
the 15
th
, there was a workshop on practical issues
for some computer programs.
On the 16
th
, the General Curia had the
pleasant visit of the members of Western Europes
Internal Seminary. They were present for the
Eucharist, a fraternal sharing to get to know what
each of the confreres of the Curia does in his office,
and, finally, a delicious lunch.
During these days we had the visit of Janez
Cerar, from the Province of Slovenia, a possible
candidate for one of the International Missions.
On 21 and 22 March, Father Gregory was in
Piacenza, visiting the Alberoni College, together
with Jorge Luis Rodrguez. There he had the
opportunity to share with all the confreres, our
seminarians, and the diocesan seminarians, who are
being formed in this institution.


2
There was a fraternal moment, when, like an informal chat, he treated the topic of living the five
virtues today. Then he paid a visit to the bishop of the Diocese of Piacenza, Monsignor Gianni Ambrosio,
and, towards midday, presided the Eucharist with the entire Seminary community. The visit concluded with
lunch and a meeting with the lay staff of the Alberoni Foundation.
On 24 and 25 March, Father Gregory visited Paris for the renovation of vows of the Daughters of
Charity. There he had the opportunity to share with the confreres Daniel Borlik and Patrick Griffin. During
the celebration on the 25
th
, he took the occasion to finalize the transition with Bernard Schoepfer taking up
the role of Director General of the Daughters of Charity and Father Griffins departure. The latter returns to
the United States to continue his service to the Congregation in his province of origin.
On the 26
th
and 27
th
, Father Gregory, together with Yosief Zeracristos and Joseph Geders, was in
Belgium for a meeting with the Visitor of the Congo and other members of the community of that province.
On 30 March, Father Gregory travelled to the United States to begin the Canonical Visitation of his
province of origin.




2
On 14 September 2013, feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the
Interprovincial Internal Seminary began in Naples.
The Director of the Internal Seminary is Roberto D'Amico, with Lorenzo Manca
and Faiver Maosca, as collaborators.
The members of the Internal Seminary are: Nue Cetaj and Ferdinand Kodra
(Albania), Giuseppe Caruso (Province of Naples), Joao Michael Gives Forest Soares
(Province of Portugal), Luca Deidda (Province of Rome), Francisco Javier Lpez
(Province of Salamanca), and Jos Luis Caavate (Province of Saragossa).
Salvatore Far is the Superior of the community of San Nicola da Tolentino, the
house of the Province of Naples that welcomed the Interprovincial Internal Seminary.


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The group of seminarians is
composed of young men from
the dioceses of: Piacenza-
Bobbio (8); Fidenza (3); Sora-
Acquino-Pontecorvo (2);
Lanusei (1), all in Italy; as well
as, Mukacevo, Ukraine (6);
Hinche, Haiti (2); Vitebsk,
Byelorussia (1). The students of
the Congregation of the Mission
are from the Provinces of Turin
(2); Naples (2); Orient (4); and
the Region of Albania (2).

Cardinal Giuglio Alberoni wanted to
found the College, which bears his
name, to welcome the poor priests of
the local Church. The Alberonian
formation takes as aim a holy
education and a virtuous direction.
Admission to the College was done
through competition and there were
only 54 seats open to candidates for
the priesthood in the Diocese of
Piacenza. The formation process
included nine years, the three years
of philosophy, the three years of
theology, and one year of morality.

The College opened in 1751
and it was Cardinal Alberoni
himself who entrusted the
formation of the future priests
to the missionaries of the
Congregation of the Mission.

http://www.collegioalberoni.it/video/ecce_omo.html
Since 2012, the College is
directed by a formative
community with an
interprovincial character: the
Superior and Prefect of
Studies are from the
Province of Turin, the
Academic Secretary is from
the Province of Naples, and
six teachers are from the
Province of Rome.
One of the interesting aspects is
the great cultural and artistic
wealth that one finds there.
Beyond the architecture, or the
laboratories or the observatory, is
an art gallery with works by
prominent artists of the Cardinals
time, many of whom were
supported by him. One of the most
outstanding pictures is the Ecce
Homo or Christ at the Column
by Antonello da Messina (1430-
1479). It is a precious masterpiece
of someone who was considered to
be one of the best artists of
western painting
The Finance Committee of the General Curia had its annual
meeting on 7 March 2014. The Committee welcomed two new
members: Rafael (Bong) Eloriaga Kabigting, Provincial Treasurer of
the Province of the Philippines; and George Busieka, Treasurer of
the Mission of Kenya of the Western Province USA. Other current
members of the Committee are Mr. Tom Beck, Chief Financial
Officer of the Daughters of Charity, Province of Saint Louise USA;
Bernard Meade, Provincial Treasurer of the Province of Ireland; and
Philippe Lamblin, Provincial Treasurer of the Province of Paris.
We thank the other members, Santiago Azcrate Gorri,
Provincial Treasurer of the Province of Saragossa; and Evaristo Rafael Oliveras Adorno, Provincial Treasurer
of the Province of Puerto Rico, who completed their service on the Committee last year.
The Committee checked the financial statements for the fiscal year that ended on 31 December 2013
and the budget of the Curia for 2014. It studied the results of the investments and received a report on the
investments realized in the past year, on the part of Mr. Beck, who is also a member of the Investment
Committee of the Curia.
Other topics treated were the following: 1) a review of the fixed assets of the Curia and the
investments in repairs to the Curia building; 2) an evaluation of the general meeting of Provincial Treasurers
that was held last summer; 3) a review of an offer of formation for treasurers in Rome.

The Finance Committee of the General Curia
Joseph C. GEDERS, C.M.

4

1
1) The events of 5 December 2013
At 5 a.m. we heard, not far from
the parish of Saint Ann in Kassa, explosions of
heavy weapons, for the parish is located on the
periphery of two military camps: the military
camp and the camp guard located 100 meters
away; these camps were attacked by so-called
Anti-Balaka self-defense militias, taking revenge
on the Slka rebels.
After 45 minutes of fighting, the
Anti-Balaka occupied the two camps, putting the
Slka in disarray. The dead were transported in
six vehicles of the International Red Cross, filled
with Slka corpses. On this day Bangui was
under fire and blood. At dawn, the poor villagers
heard the explosions of heavy weapons and
thought only of taking refuge under beds,
believing that the situation would calm down from
one moment to the next, but unfortunately it did
not.
The villagers understood that a secure
place was in the facilities of the Catholic missions
or in the religious houses, such as CESSAVIPA:
The Saint Vincent de Paul Spiritual Center.
Wanting to move there, some were killed by stray
bullets or arbitrarily killed in cold blood. There are
families who were unable to meet again because,
in uncontrolled flight, the children went to a place
and the parents to another without knowing
where one another were. This will only be known
when the situation is regulated. What can be
done, then, with these people who seek refuge?
2) Hosting the displaced
Faced with this situation, it was necessary
to open the doors to these persons. And it was
what CESSAVIPA did: open its doors. Initially
4,000 were displaced by the war; three weeks
later, the number increased to 8,015, people of
all ages, according to the check list we developed.
Truly we were invaded.
These people came from Kassa, from
2
Ngaragba, from Yongoro, from Ouango, from
the Rapides sector, from Gbangouma (all these
are from Banguis 7th district). Then we also
welcomed those who came from the sectors
that were subjected to massacres and
assassinations aimed at exterminating the
Christians. After spending some time in
CESSAVIPA, other assaults against the Slka
civil community occurred, whose sole purpose
was to exterminate people practicing religion
and especially Catholicism.
This reception made a target of
CESSAVIPA, where there was a multitude of
refugees. Under the blow (fire) of heavy
weapons, CESSAVIPA was actually attacked
and subjected to looting. Why?
3) The plunder in CESSAVIPA
The Saint Vincent de Paul Spiritual
Center has been subjected to looting because,
in this time of hardship, we have not stopped
accompanying the displaced and directing
toward them comforting words:
accompaniment, songs, praise and preaching
have been scheduled for them.
Cessavipa has extended its mission,
giving a witness of presence among these
people in difficulty, who have not managed to
support the harshness of the events. We were
full of people coming to feed on God's Word.
Among them was a Muslim, who, fleeing the
abuses, came to seek a place of welcome and
listening among us. The last fruit produced by
CESSAVIPA, before being subjected to looting,
was the conversion of this man UARGAS, to
Catholicism. He was baptized and this was a
great witness to everyone. UARGAS has given
testimony affirming: the Catholic Church is a
religion of a real and sincere love and I believe
that the true religion is Christ.

CESSAVIPAS VOICE IN DIFFICULT TIMES
Pre Sraphin ZOGA, C.M.

5
This man now has the name, PETRE SUAM. This miracle wrought by Christ will provoke
the wickedness of the enemies, who will come to plunder and submit to pillage everything in this
center. But we are not frightened. This event gives us more encouragement to go further in
proclaiming the Gospel. But faced with all these atrocities, how are we to protect the displaced?
4) Dramatic humanitarian consequences
Seeing the continuous danger threatening the displaced, we have been forced to leave the site, i.e.
CESSAVIPA, because armed Islamists had promised to come to attack again and they did so on a
Thursday at 3 p.m., despite the intervention of religious authorities.
We have moved to our community at two kilometers from CESSAVIPA. We know of thirty (30)
deaths, the majority children; our orphans have also had the same fate; we lost five (5) because of
hunger, malnutrition, malaria, contaminated water, and AIDS.
Of the 35 women who have given birth, we have had five stillbirths and we lost ten women, for it
is difficult to get out at night to go to the hospital, under the bullets from the guns.
It is very interesting to have the opportunity to take part in the events of the Association and even
more so when they are of an international character. It is also a responsibility, because we must publicize
the work of both MISEVI and the Colombian Vincentian Family.

Participating for Colombia are: Father Rodrigo Restrepo (National Advisor), Sister Zoraida Montaez
(National Advisor), and Ramn Lpez (National President). Unfortunately, Marta Marn (member) could not
assist because her visa was not approved. We were able to share with the delegations of 13 other
countries: Brazil, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Mexico, the United States, France, Slovakia, Lebanon, Spain, El
Salvador and the missionaries present in Honduras, Mozambique, and Bolivia and the Superior General,
Gregory Gay, who was with us the entire time.

We had a workshop, guided by the missionaries of Honduras, Bolivia, and Mozambique, whose
main theme was reflecting on the Apostolic Exhortation, EVANGELII GAUDIUM, to orient us to missionary
work Ad Gentes. Following this, we evaluated our actions in every country. The second day was spent
getting to know the Associations, their location in the country, the number of groups, the number of
members, the activities carried out, and the projects for the coming years.

The concelebrated Eucharistics and prayers in different languages, the recreational activities and
shared meals after each session were the right environment to get to know one another and have an idea
of who should join the new International Team for the next four years. Before the election a summary of
the achievements of the outgoing coordinating team, as well as the outstanding issues that have not yet
been completed or that this assembly proposes as tasks for the next four years, was reviewed.

IV INTERNATIONAL
ASSEMBLY OF MISEVI
Ramn Lpez Garca MISEVI Colombia.

6
With all these topics revised and the criteria of the
candidates formed, we proceeded to the election of the new International Coordinating
Team of the Vincentian Lay Missionaries, which is composed as follows:

Director General: Gregory Gay, CM
International Advisor: David Fernndez, CM
International Advisor: Sister Rosa Mara Mir, DC
International President: Cesar Alonso Saldaa Mexico
Member 1: Asuncin Marchn Venezuela
Member 2: Mara Jess Cuena Spain
Member 3: Mary Frances Jaster United States
Member 4: Ramn Lpez G Colombia
The 42
nd
General Assembly of the Congregation of the Mission will be held at DePaul University in
Chicago, Illinois, USA, from 27 June to 15 July 2016. The motto of the 2016 GA will be Let us renew the
missionary vitality of our Vincentian vocation. The Superior General and his Council, in a letter of 23
December 2013, announced that the topic of the Assembly will be: The Congregation of the Mission: 400
years of loyalty to its charism and the New Evangelization.

The Preparatory Commission held its first meeting during the tempo forte in Rome from 10-14
March. The members of the Commission are: Joseph Agostino (USA, East), Coordinator; Adam Borowski
(Poland), Secretary; Orlando Escobar (Visitor of Colombia); Joaqun Gonzlez Hernando (Visitor of Madrid);
Fernando Mucavele (Visitor of Mozambique); and Robertus Wijanarko (Visitor of Indonesia).
2016 GENERAL ASSEMBLY
"Let us renew the missionary vitality of our Vincentian vocation
Jos Agostino, C.M.

7
1
The first task of the Commission
consisted of developing the materials that will
be used by the Provincial Assemblies in
preparation for the 2016 GA. To accomplish
this task, the Commission reflected on the
guidelines received from the Superior General
and his Council, as well as taking into account
the Lines of Action of the 2010 GA, the
Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis "The
Joy of the Gospel," and the missionary
vocation we have received from Saint
Vincent. On 25 March, a reflection guideline
was sent to the provinces in which we are
invited to celebrate the wealth of our
missionary vocation in the past 400 years,
thus renewing our missionary vitality today
and discovering the possibilities and
challenges we face in preaching the Gospel to
the poor.

The Commission has invited confreres
to write articles that help us in our
preparation for the coming Provincial
Assemblies. A series of six articles will be
published on FamVin.org, the web page of
CM Global, and, finally, they will be collected
in a single issue of Vincentiana.

The Commission will meet again in
December 2014 to work more on the details
of the General Assembly itself and again in
2
December 2015 to formulate the
Instrumentum Laboris after receiving the
minutes of the Provincial Assemblies.







From 22 March to 6 April, we, the
seminarians of the Internal Seminary that is
held in Naples (Italy) this year, were
immersed in a popular mission. It was carried
out in the Parish of San Giuseppe Operaio
[Saint Joseph the Worker] in the city of
Piacenza, in northern of Italy. Initially, there
were many nerves and concerns, for it was,
for most of us, the first experience we had of
a popular mission as Vincentian Missionaries.
Gradually we entered into the
dynamics of the mission and with it came the
joy and satisfaction, characteristic of
beginners who start seeing reality face to
face, door to door, visiting, listening and
speaking to people who belong to the parish
in this lovely city.
Led by Father Claudio Farroni, an
expert in popular missions, we had meetings
with kids of all ages, at which various topical
issues and other fundamentals were treated,
such as: Faith, Christ, and Church.
EXPERIENCE OF THE
INTERNAL SEMINARY IN
THE MISSION

8
The Vincentian priests, who accompanied us on this adventure, Claudio Farroni, Valerio
Evangelisti, Lorenzo Manca, Giuseppe Carusso, and, for a few days, our Director of the Internal
Seminary, Roberto DAmico, directed the meetings of the older people and couples of various
ages. Also, dividing into groups, we visited all the homes belonging to the parish, in which we
spoke with and shared the joys and sorrows of these neighbors, concluding the visit with the
house blessing.

After two weeks of mission, in which there were diverse meetings and talks,
confessions, Stations of the Cross, penitential services, and Eucharists with homilies
encouraging the people to follow the path Christ shows us, the mission came to its end with
the Eucharist celebrated on the morning of Sunday, the 6
th
, at which couples renewed their
marriage vows.

Once again, Providence has given us unforgettable experiences in this mission, for, as
Saint Vincent says, we should not go ahead of it. There were also meetings with ever more
prepared youth, magnificent moments. Christ has become present among us, pouring out
again his grace, for we must not forget that, only by leaving this mission in his hands, it might
have a good end. It was not in vain that Saint Vincent de Paul made Him the Rule of the
Mission and the center of our life as Vincentian Missionaries.

Francisco Javier Lpez Monrob, Province of Salamanca, Spain






KUNAY Viktor 19/03/2014
Visitor of Hungra
(Reconfirmed)
SCHOEPFER Bernard 25/03/2014 Director General DC
CABALLERO ANTONIO Amado 28/03/2014
Director DC Japn
(Reconfirmed)










MORENO MALLA Yofre Jos Sac Aeq 15/03/2014
BACULI Edilberto Jurado Sac Phi 22/03/2014
XIANG Gao Sac Sin 25/03/2014
MONEO COLMENAR Ignacio Sac Mat 29/03/2014


Nomen Cond. Dies ob. Prov. Aet. Voc.
TS'IEN I YEN Taddeo Sac 18/03/2014 Tau 93 61
SMITH James E. Sac 31/03/2014 Orl 82 60

Necrologium
Nominationes / Confirmationes
Ordinationes
P. Yofre Jos Moreno, C.M.
P. Ignacio Moneo Colmenar, C.M.