Around 2,000 “Vincentians” from across the country, belonging to organisations which are part of the Vincentian Family in Britain, joined together at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool on 23rd April to celebrate the 350th Anniversary of the deaths of St Vincent de Paul and St Louise de Marillac. These included representatives from the Society of St Vincent de Paul, Vincentian Millennium Partnership, Daughters of Charity, St Vincent’s School, the Brothers of Charity, the AIC, the Ladies of Charity, Depaul UK, Out There, Christopher Grange, the Vincentian Volunteers, SVP 1833, Company of Mission Priests, Youth SVP and the Congregation of the Mission. From 11am-1pm they put on an a wonderful exhibition in the Crypt Hall of the Cathedral. This was followed followed by Mass at 2pm which was extremely well attended. Archbishop Patrick Kelly, chief celebrant, was joined by his brother bishops, -Vincent Malone, Tom Williams, Arthur Roche, Brian Noble and Michael Campbell – along with over 50 priests connected with the Family. Mass began with a procession of the clergy headed by banner carriers from the various organisations within the Family. The choir, conducted by Sr Maria Robb DC , kept the singing lively and heartfelt with Marnie Taylor, a young blind pupil from St Vincent’s School, singing “The Lord hears the Cry of the Poor” as the Responsorial Psalm. At the end of the Mass the leaders of various organisations in the Family re-dedicated their organisation anew to the service of vulnerable people by reciting the 350th Jubilee Prayer together.
Photo Albums taken on the day can be VIEWED HERE
The bills incurred in running this event have now been paid from the collection taken at Mass and the VMP has been able to send a cheque for £500 to the Daughters of Charity, for their Haiti Disaster Appeal.
