The second day of the Second Vincentian Family Convocation, held on November 15, was marked by a spirit of unity and diversity that was reflected in every moment. This day was not only an opportunity to delve deeper into the legacy of St. Vincent de Paul but also to reflect on the Vincentian commitment to the most vulnerable in our society, under the theme “The Cry of the Earth and the Poor.”

A Multicultural Eucharist to Begin the Day

The day began at 9 a.m. with an emotional Eucharist presided over by Fr. Tomaž Mavrič, CM, President of the Vincentian Family Executive Committee. In his homily, Fr. Mavrič reminded us of the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul, highlighting that although Vincent never explicitly spoke about the “cry of the earth,” his deep respect for creation and dedication to the poor would certainly make him a strong voice today in favor of ecological and social justice.

During the Mass, hymns in various languages highlighted the cultural richness of the Vincentian Family, which encompasses communities and missions around the world. This variety of languages and liturgical traditions was a reminder of the universality of our shared mission.

Main points of the homily:

• The connection between the earth and the poor: Fr. Mavrič emphasized that environmental destruction, such as climate change, disproportionately affects the poor, who suffer the most from natural disasters and the loss of resources.
• Hope in Scripture: The day’s readings invited us to trust in the redemption and comfort that God promises, especially to the most vulnerable. The First Letter to the Corinthians reminded us that God chooses the “weak” to show His power, inviting us to see strength in humility and simplicity.
• A call to action: He concluded by urging us to follow Vincent’s example in caring for both the poor and our “common home,” emphasizing that our mission today must include the care of creation as an integral part of our service to those in need.

Conference: “The Cry of the Poor” by Msgr. Anthony Onyemuche Ekpo

After a brief coffee break, the morning session continued with an enriching conference given by Msgr. Anthony Onyemuche Ekpo, Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Msgr. Ekpo, appointed in 2023 to this significant position in the Vatican, is an expert in systematic theology and canon law. Born in Umudike, Nigeria, he has dedicated his life to serving the Church, working in various areas of the Roman Curia. In addition to his work at the Dicastery, he is multilingual and has been recognized for his commitment to promoting social justice and human rights.

Summary of Msgr. Ekpo’s conference:

• The role of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development: Msgr. Ekpo explained that the Dicastery’s mission is to promote the integral development of the person in the light of the Gospel and in line with the Church’s Social Doctrine. This work covers areas such as justice, peace, protection of creation, human mobility, and the fight against contemporary forms of slavery.
• The importance of a local approach: He emphasized that the Dicastery works closely with local Churches to identify and address barriers to integral human development, respecting the principle of subsidiarity. Thus, it seeks to empower local communities to be protagonists of their own development.
• The call to hear “the cry of the poor”: The central part of his talk focused on the Church’s need to listen and respond to the cries of the most disadvantaged. Msgr. Ekpo highlighted that the challenges facing humanity, such as climate change, forced migration, and economic crises, demand solidarity and structural responses.
• The synodal approach: He highlighted the synodal approach that the Dicastery adopts to discern, propose, and support effective responses to global challenges. This method involves actively listening to affected communities and working together to find sustainable solutions.

Space for Dialogue and Reflection

Following the conference, there was a Q&A session that allowed attendees to delve deeper into the topics presented by Msgr. Ekpo. The questions reflected the Vincentian Family members’ concern for social injustices and their desire to collaborate more closely with Church structures to promote integral human development.

Afternoon Working Sessions

The afternoon session began at 3 p.m. and extended until 7 p.m., with group meetings that allowed participants to share experiences and plan future collaborative actions. These working groups were organized around five key topics:

1. The Federations of the Sisters of Charity of Strasbourg and North America
2. Vincentian Foundations
3. Vincentian Education
4. Vincentian Healthcare
5. Formation for Mission

Each of these groups explored strategies to strengthen their commitment to the Vincentian mission in their respective fields. The results of these discussions will be shared in the near future to guide the future work of the Vincentian Family.

The second day of the Second Vincentian Family Convocation was a living testimony to this great family’s commitment to the values of justice, charity, and integral care for both the person and creation. From the morning Eucharist to the afternoon working sessions, the participants demonstrated a deep desire to be agents of change in the world, inspired by the example of St. Vincent de Paul.