Email from Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA

Simplicity · Humility · Gentleness · Selflessness · Zeal

JULY 23, 2026

Dilexi Te and Its Relevance to Vincentians

Pope Leo XIV's apostolic exhortation Dilexi Te ("I Have Loved You") is a profound reflection on the centrality of Christ's love in the life of every Christian. Pope Leo reminds the Church that Christianity is not simply a moral code, social movement or collection of charitable activities. Rather, it begins with a personal encounter with the love of Jesus Christ, whose love transforms the human heart and sends believers into the world to love others as He has loved them. Pope Leo’s message is especially meaningful for Vincentians as our mission has always united spiritual growth with compassionate, person-to-person service.

At the heart of Dilexi Te is the conviction that God's love always comes first. Before we choose to love God or serve our neighbors, Christ has already loved us. Every act of Christian charity is therefore a response to God's initiative rather than an attempt to earn His favor. For Vincentians, this truth shapes the very purpose of our vocation. We do not simply provide assistance to people in need; we seek to encounter Christ in those we serve. As Jesus teaches in Matthew 25, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Home visits or serving neighbors in our pantries or shelters or pharmacies or stores become encounters with Christ Himself, transforming both the neighbor and us. Read more...

EARLY BIRD PRICING FOR NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ENDS TOMORROW

⚠️Take advantage of the best registration pricing for the 2026 National Assembly when you register by this Friday, July 24.⚠️

The cost to attend the full conference is $490, the one-day cost is $200, and the youth cost is $60 if you register by Friday.

⏰Starting Saturday, July 25, registration increases to $540 for the full conference, $225 for one day and $65 for youth. Don’t wait!

Join Vincentians from across the country at the Hyatt Regency in Salt Lake City from Sept. 8-12. With inspirational keynote speakers, informational workshops, service projects, a talent show and more, you don't want to miss this special gathering. Register here: https://web.cvent.com/event/f59ed144-23da-45ca-b8cd-83d8361d88bc/summary.

Learn more about the agenda, why you should attend and hotel and travel information here: https://ssvpusa.org/national-assembly/.

THIS WEEK'S FEATURE: REGION MEETINGS

Zeal on Fire in the Southeast and North Central Regions

By Trace Trylko, Executive Director of the Orlando (FL) Diocesan Council, and Susan Wiland, National Vice President of the North Central Region

More than 150 Vincentians brought their zeal for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and our brothers and sisters in need to suburban Atlanta for the 2026 Southeast Region Meeting.

On June 12 and 13, members of the Society came together from across the Southeast at the DoubleTree by Hilton Atlanta in Marietta, Georgia, inspired by a unifying theme: “Where Compassion Meets Action.”

Hosted by the talented team from St. Vincent de Paul Georgia, Vincentians experienced excursions to the Atlanta History Center as well as the Georgia Archdiocesan Council’s office, and that’s before the region meeting even officially got underway! Read more...

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q: We have two Conference members that for the past eight years have not done any personal contact with the poor, but they do have a say on how we help those in need. Is there anything in the Rule that states they have to be involved person to person with our friends in need? If so, where is it written, and where do we go from here with that?

Q: Conference Associate Members typically do not attend most Conference meetings. For Associate Members that are Catholic, may they participate in a vote should they attend a meeting when a proposal in on the table to be voted on?

Click here to learn the answers.

Submit your questions.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thursday, July 23 at 7 p.m. CDT

YYAEL Conference Coaches' Call

Tuesday, July 28 at 7 p.m. CDT

Vincentian Friendship and Community Multicultural & Diversity Committee Meeting

Monday, Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. CDT

Hispanic-Latino Formation Subcommittee Meeting

Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 2 p.m. CDT

Vincentian Formation Committee Meeting

Thursday, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. CDT