Purpose and Charism

The Congregation draws its spirit and distinctive character from the life and works, and the Common Rules of St. Vincent de Paul who is chosen as the father and patron of the Vincentian Congregation. The Congregation has taken as its motto, "He has sent me to proclaim the Good News to the poor" (Lk. 4:18), which inspired St. Vincent de Paul.
The specific purpose of the Congregation is to preach the Gospel to the poor, especially the rural people and working classes, and to help them in their integral development. Another purpose is to help clerics in acquiring the knowledge and virtues necessary for their state of life, and to co-operate with diocesan clergy in pastoral works. Commitment to evangelization of the poor and their human and Christian advancement is our specific charism. The members of the Congregation are doing pastoral, educational, social and charitable, apostolic and missionary activities all over India and even outside India.

Revival
Divine providence revived the Koventha at Thottakom in 1927 when Mar Augustine Kandathil, the first Archbishop of Ernakulam (1924-1956), granted the request of Rev. Frs. George Mannara, Antony Powathil and George Vattamkandam to lead a religious life in the Koventha at Thottakom. Very Rev. Fr. Varkey Kattarath got the news, blessed them, and came to Thottakom to join them. He became the first professed member in 1929 and took the perpetual vows in 1931 and died on 24th October 1931. The Koventha at Thottakom was officially called the Vincentian Congregation in 1938.

Declaration:

In the light of the facts stated above, the General synaxis of the Vincentian Congregation held at 1997 at the Vincentian Generalate, Edappally, declared that Very Rev. Fr. Varkey Kattarath is the founder of the Vincentian Congregation and that the date of the foundation is November 20, 1904, at Thottakom.

Juris Pontificii:

The Congregation was raised to the status of the Juris Pontificii in 1968, and the Holy See entrusted to it the Exarchate of Satna in Madhya pradesh. and appointed Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Mattam as its Exarch. It was raised to a Diocese in 1977 and Mar Mattam was made its first Bishop. Mar Mathew Vaniakizhakkel V.C. is the Bishop of Satna now.

Division into Provinces:

In order to foster the missionary activities of the Congregation in the Hindi speaking areas, St.Thomas Region was established in February 28, 1980, to coordinate the activities in the Hindi Speaking areas. And then on July 3, 1987 the Congregation in South India was also divided as two regions, namely Mary Matha Region and St.Joseph's Region. Subsequently, the 3rd session of the 22nd General Chapter of the Vincentian Congregation held between December 18-22, 1989, decided to raise these regions into two Provinces and a Vice-Province.The then Superior General Very Rev. Fr.Paul Kariamadam promulgated it on January 1, 1990. Later, on April 26, 2001 the St.Thomas Vice-Province was also raised to the status of a Province. At present the Vincentian Congregation is divided into three Provinces.

Very Rev. Fr.George Mannara, Msgr.Thomas Nedumkallel, Frs.Jacob Kallarackal, George Kammattil, George Manalel, Paul Kariamadam, Antony Plackal and George Arackal served as General Superiors of the Congregation for different periods of time. At present the Congregation is led by Very Rev. Fr.Varghese Puthussery, elected Superior General on April 9, 2005.
The Congregation has now 87 Houses and Centres in India and abroad. At present, there are 2 Bishops, 327 Priests, 4 Brothers, 185 Major Seminarians, 36 Novices and 233 Minor Seminarians in our Congregation.The members of our Congregation render their services to the Universal Catholic Church in 60 Dioceses worldwide.We have our Houses and Centres in 33 Dioceses in India and in 8 Dioceses abroad.

Preaching Ministry
The most important charism and specific purpose of our Community is 'preaching the Gospel to the poor'. This is being accomplished now through popular mission retreats, charismatic retreats and conventions, parish retreats, retreats for priests and religious, Bible conventions, regular preaching and services held in retreat centres etc. Almost 25% of our members are engaged in full time preaching. There are 11 retreat centres where thousands of people come every week for retreat and prayers. Our retreat centres in Potta and Muringoor have been instrumental by the Grace of God for the renewal of the Church in Kerala and India. Besides them, retreat centres were established in Kamba, Kalyan (Tabore Retreat Centre), Adichira, Kottayam (Parithrana Retreat Centre) Faridabad, Delhi (Divine Retreat Centre), Bangalore (Logos Retreat Centre), Puthupady (Jubilee Retreat Centre), Ambattur, Chennai (Arulalayam Retreat Centre), Elavur, Chennai (Divine Mercy retreat Centre) Meerganj, Bareiley (Vincentian Ashram), Premagiri, Curnool (Sinai Ashram) etc. In our Adoration centres many people come for adoration, prayer and counselling. About 15% of the people coming for retreats in our retreat centres are non-Christians.

Spreading the Holy Bible and its message takes a prominent place in our ministry of preaching the Word of God. A college of Bible studies named Divine Bible College has been set up at Muringoor adjacent to the Retreat Centre there for offering Bible courses lasting about 2 months both in English and Malayalam, the vernacular language. We have initiated a project by name WET (World Evangelization Two Thousand) for giving out Bible at half price.

The Magazine called Vachanolsavam (the Feast of Word of God) is being published in 6 languages under the auspices of the Vincentian Generalate. It has done a lot in spreading the Word of God and it has altogether more than 200,000 subscribers. There are also other magazines published from the retreat centres through which many have come to know Jesus, the only saviour. Daily Broadcast of spiritual talks through TV channels is also being done from Muringoor Retreat.

Another purpose is to help clerics in acquiring the knowledge and virtues necessary for their state of life, and co-operate with the diocesan clergy in pastoral works. With this view in mind we conduct regular classes in every month after the model of the Tuesday Conferences initiated by our Heavenly Patron, St.Vincent De Paul in France, for Diocesan as well as religious priests for refreshing their knowledge and spirituality.
The Congregation renders good service in the field of education. It conducts Elementary Schools, High Schools and Higher Secondary Schools. Our schools and institutions have earned a good reputation for formation and excellence. The Vincentian Congregation also runs a few recognized colleges. In the field of professional education we have some institutions like Industrial Training Centres and Computer Academies. Students from these institutions have come off very successfully.

Following the example of St. Vincent De Paul who devoted himself for the service of the poor and the needy social apostolate is another important field of activity of our Congregation. Some orphanages attached to Vincentian Houses in Kerala have been functioning since some time. Outside Kerala we have some Boys' Homes where the students from far away villages come and stay for study. In some centres informal training facilities are also made available like tailoring, typewriting, bookbinding, carpentry, printing etc. We have now 11 orphanages and more than 500 poor children are taken care of in these institutions. Another area of social apostolate is to provide for poor patients specially cancer patients, facilities for free lodging close to Medical Colleges. About 160 patients and their bystanders are given accommodation in them. Recently we have begun some Rehabilitation Centres for the mentally sick people, Home for the aids patients, De-Addiction Centre, a Centre for the destitute, and Old Age Homes etc.