Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula will preside over a fiesta mass at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 27, at the St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Ermita, Manila in solemn commemoration of the Feast of Saint Vincent (San Vicente) de Paul, the patron saint of charitable societies.
Novena masses were offered from Sept. 18 to 26. The theme for this year’s fiesta is “Strengthening the Vincentian Identity for Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission.”
At the Santuario de San Vicente de Paul Parish and Shrine of the Poor in Tandang Sora, Q.C., Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David will lead the fiesta mass on Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 6 p.m.
A pilgrimage walk in honor of San Vicente de Paul was held on September 25.
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in the country has 455 Conferences composed of more than 4,000 youth members and over 2,000 adult members.
Some hospitals and medical facilities in many parts of the country traditionally conduct blood-letting activities in honor of the Apostle of Charity.
Known for his immense concern for the poor, the sick, and the homeless, St. Vincent, together with St. Louise de Marillac, founded the Congregation of the Daughters of Charity and the Congregation of the Priests of the Mission. His guiding motto as a charity worker was “God sees you.”
Born on April 24, 1581, to a poor peasant family in France, he died on Sept. 27, 1660, and was canonized by Pope Clement XII on June 16, 1737. His incorrupt body is venerated by hundreds of devotees and pilgrims every year at his major shrine the Saint Vincent de Paul Chapel in Paris, France.