The Vincentian Congregation is a religious and clerical society founded on November 20, 1904 in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly Kerala, India. The congregation was established by Fr. Varkey Kattarath along with three diocesan priests, forming the congregation on the common guidelines of St. Vincent De Paul. The Congregation operates under the motto, “The Lord has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor…” (Luke 4:18), which was a source of inspiration to St. Vincent himself. The pre-eminent purpose of the Vincentian Congregation is the evangelization of the poor. Through leading parish retreats, preaching and doing missionary work through charitable social and educational apostolate, the congregation upholds its mission. The congregation is divided into three provinces with a collective total of 480 priests. The congregation was raised to the Pontifical status on February 11, 1968. One of the most popular ministries of the congregation emerged as the Potta-Divine Ministry, thus rapidly spreading throughout the world. The Divine Retreat Centre Kerala is the largest Catholic Retreat Centre in the world. There are 46 other Divine Retreat Centres led by the Vincentian Congregation in Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and Australia. Through the Family Prayer Mission, Vincentian fathers have been frequently coming to Toronto for the last 15 years. It was the desire and dream of the people of Canada to have a Divine Retreat Centre in their own country. Origin The Divine Retreat Centre Toronto (DRCT) was initiated through the prayers, dedication and hard work of the Family Prayer Mission (FPM). FPM has been inspired and encouraged by the Vincentian Fathers to spread the good news in Canada for many years. The beginning of the DRCT has become a reality though the providence of God and through the hard work of Rappai J. Nedumpara (President) and Shiju Thomas (Vice President) of FPM. Through this divine call, the Divine Retreat Centre Toronto was initiated with the blessings of Fr. Matthew Naickomparambil VC, under the guidance of the Vincentian Provincial Superior, in consultation with the Archdiocese of Toronto. Through providence, the Lord’s eternal plan became fulfilled as this long cherished dream came true when the United Church was purchased for this purpose. Trusting in God’s providence, the ministry had its blessing and inauguration on November 29, 2014 by His Grace Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha (Archbishop Emeritus of Lahore) in the presence of Vicar General Fr. Ivan Camiliri, Msgr. Thomas Kalarathil, (Director of priest’s personnel) as well as many priests, nuns and hundreds of faithful. Fr. Joby Kachappily and Fr. John Cheriavely previously served in the Toronto retreat centre, and at present Fr. Sam Samuel is the current Director of the Centre. We desire and pray that the Word of God in Isaiah 56:7 “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples” continues to be fulfilled in the years to come.