CIRCULAR LETTER TO MY DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS,
AND MEMBERS OF CONFERENCES OF THE
SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL AROUND THE WORLD

Introduction

Praised be our Lord Jesus Christ! My dear members of Saint Vincent de Paul Conferences around the world, I first wish to ask for the abundant blessings of Our Lord Jesus Christ on you, and for our Blessed Lady to be with everyone, particularly those in need whom our Society helps, whether in special works or in Conferences.

I am very pleased to be writing to you all again, sisters and brothers in the Vincentian Conferences around the world, for the sixth time since I was elected as 16th President General of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, with this Circular Letter for 2021. It has been the custom since 1841 for the Presidents General of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul to write Circular Letters addressed directly to the members, covering important matters on the Vincentian agenda, or for guidance to improve the work of the Conferences, special works and Councils. The Letters of the Presidents General are, it seems, very important training materials for all our members.

1.1. 2020 has truly been a year like no other

This past year has been a time which will be marked out in the history of humanity as one of the worst‐ever health crises, affecting millions of lives, as well as leading to countless negative consequences for the economy of countries and of the whole world, increasing poverty, unemployment and vulnerability in society. The poor have been worst‐affected. The number of refugees around the planet has increased. Students have been unable to attend class. Religious believers have not been able to attend worship or receive the sacraments. People cannot embrace or greet each other properly. Families are separated, in order to avoid large gatherings. Conferences and Councils cannot hold regular meetings. Many people in need have no help from governments or charitable organisations. It has been a very difficult year, and we will not have good memories of it.

We are now entering 2021, after a very difficult journey through 2020, in which for the first time, we published two Circular Letters. The health crisis has changed the face of the world, changed routines and procedures, adjusted expectations, and above all, has driven us to find new ways of doing charity, with creativity and innovation. All our Conferences and Superior Councils, as well as Council General itself, have had to reinvent themselves.

1.2. The subject of this Circular letter

In this Circular Letter of 2021, a year for rebuilding and doe new beginnings, I want to address some matters on which we all need to reflect, so that our work for those who suffer can be improving all the time. The ideas and questions I am going to cover here are also intended to alert us to the way our Councils operate, as their only purpose is to provide services for the grassroots. Some of my readers may not agree with some of what I have to say, but at least they will know how the President General thinks, with all my flaws and limitations.

I humbly suggest that this letter should be divided into blocks or topics, and read in short sections at the meetings of Vincentian conferences. I would be delighted to receive comments, criticisms and suggestions about the content of this Letter, as well as proposals for the coming years. We have set up an e‐mail address for this, cgi.circularletter@gmail.com which you can use.

May the good Lord free us from all the evils of this world, and may we, in the name of the Lord, strengthen our faith through acts of charity, among ourselves first of all, and of course, with those who are suffering. I hope you enjoy reading our Circular Letter 2021.