This year commemorates the 350th anniversary of the deaths of Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac.
They had a vision which has carried on to this day, inspiring millions of people worldwide to work with vulnerable people, helping them to transform their lives. Today, the Vincentian family is present in 103 countries with over six million members.
On July 3 200 members of the St Vincent de Paul Society and Daughters of Charity from across Wales gathered together at the national shrine of St Vincent de Paul at the parish church of St Benedict’s in Clydach, Swansea, to commemorate the anniversary.
After a talk on the lives of Vincent and Louise by Sister Maria Parcher DC, Bishop Tom Burns celebrated Holy Mass at the site of the shrine, which contains a first-class relic of St Vincent. Mass was followed by a celebratory buffet.
The SVP made over 36,179 visits in Wales in 2008-9, continuing to follow the example set by
St Vincent and St Louise of befriending those in need.
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