Bicentenary of the Congregation
What are we celebrating on our Bicentenary?
#BICENTENARIOVEDRUNA
We commemorate two centuries of the birth of the Vedruna Charism, sown by St. Joaquina as an evangelical response to the cry of the world. A legacy of consecrated life and shared mission that, in creative fidelity, continues to inspire the Vedruna Family to educate, care for and liberate in diverse and changing contexts.
Generous love, mission
that inspires
How are we going to live it?
The Bicentenary is an opportunity to remember with gratitude, to renew our spiritual and community life, and to project the Vedruna charism to the new generations. We will do it as a universal Family, in synodal key, discerning together and together new ways of mission, presence and commitment to justice, care for life and fraternity.
During the year 2026 there will be celebrations in all the Vedruna Provinces of the world, of which the stories will be shared in the news section of this page. In addition, there will be several significant celebrations at the general level, such as the solemn opening and closing in Vic, the Extended General Council, the International Meeting of Vedruna Youth and other educational, pastoral and cultural initiatives. Through all these proposals, we will renew our shared identity and our desire to continue to respond boldly to the cries of the world.
General Programming
February 26 - Solemn Eucharist, Vic, Spain
We want to celebrate these 200 years of shared history and generous service from Vic, the place where Joaquina de Vedruna embraced a new way of life and where our Charism began. From there, united as a Family, we also want to renew our mission and project ourselves into the future with creativity, fidelity and shared hope.
It will be a solemn, festive day, with international, intergenerational, intercultural presence of the Vedruna Family in Mission and other persons and institutions invited for the occasion.
February 26th - Inauguration of Casa Manso, Vic
This space is the foundational starting point of the Congregation of the Carmelite Sisters of Charity Vedruna. Here the novitiate of the first young women who followed Joaquina was born and the first school was created.
On the occasion of the Bicentennial, this house of four winds, with its own architecture of the fourteenth century, has been rehabilitated after the many transformations suffered over the years. From now on, the space is reopened to the public with the desire to make known the life and work of Joaquina de Vedruna, as well as the institution founded by her, with a new design.
Manso House. Joaquina de Vedruna is today a place of international reference for Vedruna communities around the world, considered the cradle of the institution.
The objective of this renovated space is to provide an experience around the life and work of Joaquina de Vedruna, highlighting the most significant spaces of the house and highlighting the foundational elements; as well as giving access to the spiritual itinerary lived by her and the presence of this Family spread throughout the world in its wide and diverse interculturality. The tour also offers a reading in dialogue between the past, the present and the future of the Congregation.
The official inauguration will take place on February 26, 2026.
March 9 to 23 - Enlarged General Council, Vic, Spain
The Extended General Council (EGC) is made up of the Sister General and her consultors, secretary and general treasurer, provincials and delegates.
It has a consultative character and meets three years after each General Chapter.
Its purpose is the progress of the Institute since the last General Chapter and to foster unity through the intercommunication of the entire Institute.
March 21 - Oratorio "Joaquina Luz de caridad", Vic.
An oratorio is an extended musical composition that includes orchestra, chorus and soloists. “Joaquina Luz de caridad”, was composedby Luigi Pastoressa, with the participation of Sister Maria Dolores Aguirre, ccv.
It will be presented during the Extended General Council in Vic, Spain.
July 16 to 22 - International Meeting of Vedruna Youth, Vic, Spain
Vedruna youth from all over the world will meet in Vic from July 16 to 22, 2026, on the occasion of the Bicentenary of the Carmelite Sisters of Charity Vedruna.
Countdown to the Vedruna Bicentennial!
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Bicentennial in the world
Bicentenary Hymn
by Ain Karem
Audio of the Bicentennial Hymn
Vedruna Bicentenary News
A charism that continues to inspire: the Vedruna Family of Venezuela celebrates 200 years of generous love and mission
“Woman so full of trust”: a hymn that unites cultures and languages of the Vedruna Family
Consecrated life, who are you for? The Vedruna Bicentenary prompts us to a bold response today
Resources
Bicentenary Guide
This document presents the motivation and objectives of the Bicentenary of the Congregation of the Carmelite Sisters of Charity Vedruna, highlighting its history of dedication, love and service. It invites to make grateful memory, and to continue renewing the charism and projecting the mission into the future. It is a call for the whole Vedruna Family to unite in celebration of this two-century journey, with hope and commitment.
Bicentenary Hymn Lyrics
Bicentenary Logo
Bicentenary Prayer