PASTORAL COMMISSIONS
PASTORAL COMMISSIONS   MOVEMENTS
SOCIETY OF ST.VINCENT DE PAUL PONDICHERRY CENTRAL COUNCIL
1. Office Address of the Central Council : St.Xavier's Pastoral Centre Uppalam, Pondicherry - 605 001
2. Telephone No. of the Central Council : 0413 229 09 77
Mobile : 98 94 25 88 76
3. E-mail Address : mariaraj65@yahoo.co.in
4. Date of Establishment : 01-01-1972
5. Date of Institution : 07-08-1972
6. Name of President : Bro.G.Maria Rajkumar
7. Address of the President : Plot No.30, Cluny Garden
(Via) 5th Cross, Radhakrishnan
Nagar, Pitchaveeranpet
Puducherry - 605 010.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CENTRAL COUNCIL
The Society of St.Vincent De Paul was started in the year 1852 - 53 in Pondicherry Diocese by a young priest named Rev. Father Francois Joseph Dirion who was a member of the M.E.P. (Mission Etrangeres de Paris). This was during the lifetime of Blessed Frederic Ozanam himself. Further the then Parish Priest of Pondicherry Cathedral, Rev. Father Lagodie MEP was also responsible for the starting of the Society of St.Vincent De Paul in the Cathedral Parish.
Somehow, unfortunately, the Society ceased to function subsequent to 1873 onwards due to some unknown reasons.
However, after a lapse of about 70 years of non-existence, the Society of St.Vincent De Paul started functioning from the year 1943 onwards. The French Government had also given recognition for the Society in the year 1948. The local conference of Pondicherry was functioning independently under the Presidentship of Bro.Andre Marie since 1971.
Later, the conference was raised to the status of Particular Council. From the year 1972, the Particular Council was raised as the Central Council of Pondicherry and started functioning as such till date. It received the aggregation from the International Council President General on 07/08/1972. Subsequent to the orders from Rome, the Jurisdiction of the Central Council of Pondicherry was extended to the entire Archdiocese of Pondicherry & Cuddalore.
At present, under the Jurisdiction of the Central Council of Pondicherry Eight (8) Particular Councils are functioning at Pondicherry, Cuddalore, Neyveli, Villupuram, Kakkanur, Mugaiyur, Chinnasalem and Karaikal. There are also functioning of 60 (Active) Local Conferences spread over the entire Archdiocese of Pondicherry - Cuddalore.
LEGION OF MARY PONDICHERRY SENATUS  Top  
ADDRESS:
Legion of Mary,
Pondicherry Senatus Office (Cathedral Premise),
204, Mission Street,
Puducherry- 605001
FROM THE PAGES OF HISTORY
By origin, the Legion is an Irish association of Lay Catholics, to carry on the command of Christ to His Apostles to go and proclaim the Good News to the World, under the leadership of Mary arrayed as an army with the weapon of Rosary and Emblem, started by Mr.Frank Duff in 1921 the would be Beatified.
The seed sprouted and grew extending its branches worldwide. In 1931 the Legion came to Chennai and 14 years later, thanks to the efforts of Mrs.Regina Dorairaj it came to Pondicherry to be precise, on 15-04-1945 the Parish Priest of the Cathedral Rev.Fr.Maria Kulandai. Ever since 1945 thanks to the sacrificing and energizing efforts of the stalwarts of the Legion this association is pumping the Christian zeal and vigour through its Presesidia throughout the diocese, reaching out even the remote, rural parish in the territory and consequently it is bringing with euthusiasm and energy of the Legion from which emerges the sweet odor of charity of Our Lady and Her Son.
On 30-10-2003, the Pondicherry Legion has attained the recognition of SENATUS. Thanks to the watchful diligent and tender care of the Bishops, Pastors and Lay People of the Archdiocese. The Senatus covers the areas of the Archdiocese of Pondicherry and Cuddalore along with its suffragan Dioceses.
THE SPIRIT AND THE MISSION
The spirit of the Legionaries has to ever be nurtured with the Eucharistic Celebration and the recitation of the Rosary in order to refuel the lamp whose blown art lay the ranger, violent, vehement and stormy wind of anti Christ an atmosphere, pervading the area and also the sluggish and interest members.
The mission carried out by the Legion is multi faced. They teach Catechism to children and to be married Besides they visit families, the sick and sour hearted, depressed and deprived, oppressed and obsessed by problems broken and bereaved families, divorced and distorted bring them some energy by pouring oil and wine in their growing wounds, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah: "The Spirit of the Lord has anointed me . . . '' which has been realized in Christ and in every Christian.
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