On 7 September this year, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Blessed Carlo Acutis were canonised as saints by the grace of God. They had long been revered in the Church and were highly anticipated by the faithful. Blessed Frassati was born on 6 April 1901, and from a young age, he cherished prayer and received the Eucharist daily. He cared deeply for the poor, donating his pocket money to those in need. At the age of 17, Frassati joined the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, but passed away prematurely at 24 when he succumbed to polio. May his virtuous example inspire us, members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, to serve in hope a hope rooted in God's providence.
"To leave God only for God," St. Vincent de Paul once taught his religious sisters: "Do not delay in serving the poor. If during morning prayer you must go to administer medicine to the sick, you may go with peace of mind..." For the love of God, set aside prayer to serve those in need. May all our ministries today be carried out according to God's will-bringing Christ to the people and the people to Christ.
Currently, in the Hong Kong Diocese, there are 31 conferences of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul offering various services, such as home visits, drug rehabilitation institution visits, free Chinese medication, early childhood education, parish/diocesan support, cultural/ethnic exchange activities, etc. May others, through encountering the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, come to know our merciful God, so that this world may become the world of our Heavenly Father.
May the Lord bless and protect everyone who gives and receives.
REV. DEACON VINCENT CHAN
SPIRITUAL ADVISOR,
SSVP CENTRAL COUNCIL OF HONG KONG