“The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go’.” (John 11:44) Just as he unbounded Lazarus from death, Jesus himself was unbound when his Father raises him up from the dead. When Simon Peter entered Jesus’ tomb on Easter morning, “He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself.” (John 20:6b-7) Jesus was freed from the bonds of death.

The same freedom is given to us at baptism. “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore, we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” (Rom. 6:3-4) Since the day of our baptism, we too are freed from the bonds of death. This is important for our vocation as Vincentians. Freed from the bonds of death, we are called to unbind our suffering brothers and sisters and to let them go free. Let us follow the example of Peter and John in the early days of the Church.

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon. And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. (Acts 3:1-8)

As we continue to commit ourselves in serving and helping our brothers and sisters in need, we are aware that we do need silver and gold to sustain them. But, most importantly, we give what we are and what we have. It is in the name of our Christian Catholic Faith that we do our absolute best to unbind our sisters and brothers from what prevents them from standing up and walking with dignity in today’s world and society. This comes from the mystery of Resurrection. The Resurrection of Christ, our own resurrection. But also the rising up of our brothers and sisters. All this overflows from the fountain of baptism through which we “walk in newness of life.”

May the joy of Easter overflows in your hearts. As Vincentians, may we continue to unbind and release those whom we serve. Then the life of Christ will be stronger than our death.

Happy Easter 2026!

+ Most Reverend Yvan Mathieu, s.m.
Auxiliary Bishop of Ottawa-Cornwall
SSVP National Spiritual Advisor

Come for engaging discussions about social justice advocacy, formation, and operational best practices from all over Canada, and leave with stronger Vincentian connections, engagement and awareness.

BOOK NOW as our early bird registration rate will soon end, and transportation costs will only increase.

CLICK TO REGISTER TO THE ANF 2026

 Celebrate 180 years of Compassion in Action at the SSVP!
 

1. "St. Vincent's on Huron": Larry McKenzie from London Ontario will provide an overview of what an "all in" affordable housing initiative looks like, from concept to completion. This is housing support at its most complex level.
2. Housing support in Action: Pat Lenz will showcase actionable initiatives that contribute to proposed or existing housing initiatives by providing much needed household items and beyond for residents. A vital contribution that any conference can achieve.
3. Inter-faith partnerships: Garth Brown chairs the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH) interfaith coalition, he will speak to the value of partnerships and advocating for housing and homelessness issues.

Find out how you can make a difference on housing issues in your community. The presentations will be followed by a Q&A session.

REGISTER IN ADVANCE

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

What is a Territorial or Land Acknowledgement?

It is an act of reconciliation that involves making a statement recognizing the traditional territory of the Indigenous people who called the land home before the arrival of settlers. We must continue to learn, listen, and support our First Nations, Métis, and Inuit brothers and sisters. An important part of understanding and appreciating our Indigenous communities, is acknowledging their stewardship of the land we call home. Land Acknowledgements are an important practice which are becoming part of our collective consciousness.

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Holy Family St. Albert Conference, AB
North of 60 Project - With Ulukhaktok - 2025 Report

In the spring of 2025, SSVP North of 60 Project volunteers from Holy Family Parish and St. Albert Parish, filled a sea container with donated food and goods for Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories. Community members and supporters participated generously. The 3400 km shipment was trucked to the Tuktoyaktuk port, then loaded onto a marine barge.

Two unprecedented storms hit the Arctic coastal communities of Tuktoyaktuk, Ulukhaktok, Paulatuk, and Sachs Harbour in the late summer, delaying the barge’s arrival to Ulukhaktok to September 10. The barge arrives once a year. For the rest of the year, supplies and fresh produce are flown in.

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His commitment extends beyond his local community. Through twinning, he actively supports a conference in Guatemala and organizes shipments of clothing, making a tangible difference in improving living conditions internationally.

Thank you sincerely, Louis-Philippe, for your remarkable commitment, your generosity, and the heart you put into helping others.

We invite you to submit your nominations to recognize a Vincentian in our community whose work and dedication deserve to be celebrated.

The AGA is the Annual General Assembly where the statutory meeting is held. The reports, financial and others, are presented, as well as the budget. All voting members, presidents of particular, central and regional councils are invited to represent their council.

The ANF is the Annual National Formation to which all Vincentians are invited to participate. An inspiring and challenging event, where Vincentians bond while participating in presentations, workshops and the Live Chat Room.

Your questions deserve answers — send them to us!