The road to the UN Conference in Gyeongju-KOREA, to participate in the Conference on Education for Global Citizenship stopped for a couple of days in Seoul with a training orientation to the Vincentian Family of this beautiful country. The theme that was developed was that of Sustainable Development Goals – The Vincentian Family at the UN (New York and Geneva) and Laudato Si.

Joining us in this adventure were Sister Monique Javouhey, D.C., working in Geneva as well as five Daughters of Charity and Vincentian missionary (from Adamson University) in the Philippines and a lay representative from DePaul University in Chicago, USA.

The event was organized in collaboration with the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill with provinces in Korea and Ecuador of more than 200 sisters. Participating in this orientation, in addition to the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, were Daughters of Charity of Korea and the Philippines, Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul of Suwon, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the International Association of Charities and Save the Children as well as two persons from non-Vincentian organizations. The event was celebrated over two days with two different groups and a total participation of over 80 people at the Spirituality Center of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill in Seoul.

One can but admire the dynamism of our charism in every corner of the earth. This charism has been incarnated, after 400 years, in so many cultures and races that it now has an identity that is naturally diverse and plural. Our charism is incarnate in cultures and these cultures have also been embodied within it. So today it appears as rich, is expressed in so many ways, and is expressed in so many new ways every day.

The hospitality, the joy — without exaggeration– and the opening of a new formation effort with the Vincentian Family of Korea are an example for all of us to encourage us in our own way and in our searches. The service to humanity and within it especially the poor, and the land — poor among the poor — continue to be the core of who we are and what we do as a family wherever charism takes us. This service is a meeting place and a common passion for all the different faces of charism.

From this window that is the Vincentian Family we approach with respect and affection our brothers and sisters of the Family in Korea to salute you, to thank you, to embrace you with affection!

Thank you!
Guillermo Campuzano, CM
Office of the Vincentian Family at the UN