OZAMIZ City, Oct. 12, 2011—Ozamiz archdiocese has formally recognized a lay organization of the Vincentians through an issuance of a decree.
Ozamiz Archbishop Jesus A. Dosado, CM said in a decree that he formally recognized the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Francis Regis Clet Conference, a legitimate Lay Vincentian organization in Misamis Occidental.
“By virtue of Canon 215, I hereby decree that the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Francis Regis Clet Conference be formally recognized in the Archdiocese of Ozamiz for the purposes in which such association has been established as contained in its statues in accordance with the Code of Canon Law, ‘acta et decreta’ of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines, the Diocesan Statutes and approved Customs of the Archdiocese of Ozamiz,” he said.
Aside from Dosado, the decree was also signed by Msgr. Maximino A. Naron, Jr., the archdiocesan Chancellor, on September 27, the feast of Saint Vincent de Paul.
Sr. Estelita R. Borjal, formator of SSVP and Sr. Emma Camilotes, Sister Servant of the Daughters of Charity have earlier asked Archbishop Dosado for a formal recognition of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Francis Regis Clet as a lay organization in Ozamiz City.
Borjal said 2011 marks the opening of the 150th Foundation Anniversary of the Daughters of Charity and the Congregation of the Mission in the Philippines.
As the Vicentian Society celebrates this anniversary, she said, the sisters of the Daughters of Charity are inspired to invite more persons to work in the Lord’s Vineyard following the “Vincentian Way.”
SSVP is an international Catholic lay organization founded in Paris (France) on April 23, 1833 by Blessed Frederic Ozanam.
Blessed Pope John Paul II beatified Blessed Frederic Ozanam in Paris, a husband and father. Blessed Ozanam offers an example of living with integrity and charity.
Borjal said Blessed Frederic Ozanam’s efforts anticipated the attention given by Vatican II to the lay apostolate, and he worked to infuse a vision of service and discipleship in youth.
“The vision of founder Ozanam is ‘to embrace the whole world in a network of love.’” Borjal stressed.
SSVP carries on its living witness of the Magna Carta of love today and tomorrow with the help and inspiration of St. Vincent de Paul.
She explained that the main apostolate of the SSVP is the Person to Person Apostolate or contact through home visitation (home, hospital, prison, charitable institution), health ministry, immediate relief to calamity/disaster stricken areas, educational assistance, livelihood projects, liturgical and para-liturgical preparations, catechism, issues/advocacies concerning the poor, formation of members and beneficiaries, family welfare apostolate, and socio-economic pastoral renewal and studies. (Wendell P. Talibong)
