Since its foundation, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP) has been a source of young people committed to the transformation of the world. The Vincentian Youth, present throughout the generations, plays a fundamental role in this mission, adapting to the challenges of each era and keeping the Vincentian charism alive.

Over the years, young Vincentians have lived moments of great transformation. From the pioneers who, with enthusiasm and creativity, launched the first Youth Commissions (CJ), to the young people of today who use digital platforms to promote solidarity and social justice, the challenges of Vincentian Youth are characterized by a constant process of renewal and adaptation.

But what unites all these generations of young Vincentians? What challenges have they faced and how have they overcome them? And what legacy have they left for future generations? In order to answer these questions, SSVP Brazil invited some members and former members of the Youth Commission to reflect on the topic.

The SSVP is an example of resilience and relevance, remaining active and committed to social transformation throughout its existence

SSVP and contemporary challenges

The SSVP, with over 190 years of history, is a living example of dedication to serving the most needy. But, like any organization that seeks to remain relevant in an ever-changing world, it faces the challenge of adapting to social and cultural changes. One of these challenges is the relationships between the different generations that compose its membership, a topic addressed by David Alves Faria, National Coordinator of the Missionary Department, during the Workshop “How to transform the conflict of generations into a meeting of generations in the SSVP”, held at the III National Youth Forum.

During the event, David invited the participants to reflect on an important issue: the differences between generations are something normal and expected. “It is possible to identify differences, sometimes huge, even between people of the same generation,” he explained. He stressed that these differences are determined by various factors, such as life context, cultural values, socioeconomic status and even the personality of each individual.

A glance at the past

Young people gathered at the First Meeting of the Youth Commission of the Metropolitan Council of Pouso Alegre/MG, at the Três Pontas Pastoral Center, December 10-12, 1982

To better understand the impact of the various factors in the differences of each generation, José dos Santos, president of the Particular Council of the Holy Family (CP) of Varginha/MG, recalls his experience as a young Vincentian in the 1980s. For him, one of the biggest challenges at the time was the financial issue: “We needed the Brazilian National Council (CNB) even to be able to pay for local Vincentian events. I clearly remember that in order to organize the first meeting of the Youth Commission of the Metropolitan Council of Pouso Alegre, we had to send a letter to the CNB asking for funds to hold the event”.

Despite the difficulties, the SSVP provided José with a solid formation and orientation: “The said president was a great animator and motivator for the youth of the time. To give you an idea, I was participating in the National Meeting of Youth Commissions in Belo Horizonte, in November 1981, and the first question the president asked me was: what is the biggest difficulty you have in carrying out activities with young people in your region?”.

Comparing the youth of his time with today’s youth, José stresses the importance of creativity and proactivity of young Vincentians: “in my day, youth was more limited, perhaps because of educational or financial issues, sometimes because of the inability to manage and master information, but it was very lively and very creative”. He believes that today’s youth face new challenges, such as the influence of technology and the need to filter information, but that the SSVP can be a space to develop skills such as proactivity and vision for the future.

Young people’s perspective on contemporary challenges

For Geyson Tôrres, Coordinator of the National Youth Center , young people live in a scenario marked by lack of faith, uncertainty about the future, fragile mental health and lack of clear perspectives.

Geyson during the III National Youth Forum, held in September 2024

“Young people find in religion and spirituality a purpose and a sense of belonging, especially in a world marked by uncertainties and challenges,” he said. He stressed that the SSVP is a space where young people can feel useful and welcomed, offering a network of emotional and social support that helps them overcome these adversities.

As for Bruno Avila, Youth Coordinator of the Metropolitan Council (CM) of Pouso Alegre/MG, he believes that young people face complex challenges, such as the influence of social networks, which often promote unrealistic expectations.

Bruno takes a selfie with young people from the Metropolitan Council of Pouso Alegre

“The Internet shows a pretty easy world, but when young people are confronted with reality at a conference, they can get frustrated. Our role is to help deconstruct those illusions,” he explained. He also emphasized the weakening of faith in some young people and the need to strengthen spirituality as a way to overcome it.

The digital era and its challenges

Cristian Reis, treasurer of the São Fidélis Conference and vice-president of the CCP of São Tarcísio, in Belo Horizonte/MG, a former CJ member, also emphasized the influence of technology in the lives of young people. “The main difference between the youth of my time and the youth of today is the issue of technology. Today, social networks dominate communication and relationships, which, while facilitating contact, can also create barriers to deeper involvement with social causes and community life.” Digital pressure, constant comparison and the search for validation on social networks are challenges facing today’s youth that impact their mental health and well-being.

But despite this, Geyson continues to believe that technology is a great ally: “it is a facilitating tool for religious formation, allowing the Vincentian charism to reach places where we cannot be physically.” In the context of the National Youth Commission, the digital platforms have been fundamental to coordinate the work in a country as continental as Brazil, enabling online meetings and the dissemination of formative and informative content.

In this scenario, Cristian affirms that the SSVP has a fundamental role to play. By offering spaces for dialogue, reflection and social action, the institution can help young people find sense in their lives and develop essential skills to face the challenges of the contemporary world. “The SSVP can adapt to meet the needs of today’s youth by focusing on greater engagement with the digital reality, but without losing the human contact that has always been essential to its mission,” Cristian points out.

SSVP: adapting to the new times

The role of the SSVP in today’s times is to be a space of unity and discovery, capable of overcoming cultural and generational barriers to better respond to social demands. In an increasingly polarized world, cultivating dialogue between different generations is an essential step in building a more empathetic and caring society.

For David, the best way to overcome differences is to view them through the lens of learning and growth. He proposes two ways of approaching differences:

1. Focus exclusively on what is different, which generates discomfort and negative reactions.
2. Look for similarities and use them as bridges to a deeper understanding.

This second approach, based on dialogue and empathy, can turn conflicts into productive encounters. To this end, he presented a series of strategies that can guide the actions of Vincentians:

1. Focus on what unites: identify common ground between generations and value what they have in common.
2. Open dialogue: be willing to abandon preconceived ideas and listen openly to others.
3. Training the gaze: recognizing the beauty and value of the “other world” and trying to integrate the experience with energy.
4. Active listening : listening with attention and empathy, putting oneself in the other person’s place.
5. Emotional connection: developing the ability to empathize and connect deeply.
6. Collaborative projects: create initiatives that encourage interaction and cooperation between different generations.

“To listen you have to get close, immerse yourself in the context of the other person,” David stressed, insisting on the importance of an empathetic position and openness to mutual learning. He also suggested that people able to move between the two worlds – young people and people with more experience – should be reference points to promote dialogue and integration.

In this scenario, Bruno suggests activities and actions that can not only promote conversation between young people and other generations of Vincentians, but also attract and engage younger people within the Society. Among them, the young Vincentian proposes

1. Theater projects: promote theater courses to develop personal expression and increase the connection between young people and the people they help. “Theater saves lives, yes, that’s right, it saves lives! The art of performing gives you more freedom to express what you really are, and not what the world wants you to be,” she says.
2. Musical initiatives: offering singing lessons and musical projects to unite diverse talents and promote integration with the Vincentian mission.
3. Training courses: creating technical training opportunities aimed especially at young people outside the Church, broadening the reach of the SSVP.

The impact of the SSVP

For Geyson, the SSVP is a place where he is reconnected with his faith and purpose on a daily basis. “Every day I learn more from SSVP, every day I have the opportunity to taste a little more of this spirituality and quench my thirst for doing good. It makes me grow as a Christian, as a human being and in all other dimensions of my life.” Geyson also emphasizes the formative role of the SSVP in the lives of young people, offering them a solid foundation of spirituality and leadership skills that impact both their Vincentian work and their personal and professional lives.

As for Bruno, he reinforces this view by describing the SSVP as a school without vacations or breaks. “It is a school where, day by day, we learn to deal with situations we never imagined we would face. It teaches us values like compassion and gentleness, which we take with us for life.” For Bruno, young Vincentians have the opportunity to learn from both the poor and the hardships of the contemporary world, developing resilience and empathy.

Learning at SSVP goes beyond practical skills. José dos Santos and Cristian Reis, former members, highlight the transformative impact of the Vincentian experience in their lives.

Photo 1: Cristian and other CJ members in Aparecida/SP; Photo 2: World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia; Photo 3: Youth Mission in Belo Horizonte, in a peripheral region; Photo 4: National Youth Encounter 2004.

“The legacy that the Vincentian Youth has left in my life is beyond measure,” Cristian says. “The courage to face challenges, the boldness to think outside the box and the determination to commit to the whole were fundamental lessons that I still carry with me today.” He also highlights the value of unity and collective work, which taught him to seek creative solutions and take concrete actions in favor of those most in need.

For José dos Santos, the greatest legacy of SSVP was his love for the organization and for the poor. “SSVP has made me a better human being, with the will to fight for a fairer and more humane world.”

SSVP offers young people and all its members a space to grow as leaders in solidarity and committed to social causes. As Cristian summarizes, “Living the Vincentian principles – humility, solidarity and compassion – is a constant invitation to be better people who seek, with courage and creativity, to transform adversity into opportunities to do good.”

The Future of the Organization

The future of the SSVP depends on its ability to keep its charism alive, constantly renewing itself to meet the demands of an ever-changing world. It needs to nurture dialogue, to integrate the generations and to adapt to new realities. Whether by promoting encounters between different age groups or by encouraging youth protagonism, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul reaffirms its commitment to serve the poor and to shape citizens who are aware of and committed to social transformation.

From Cristian’s point of view, there is a future of great challenges, but also of great opportunities: “Today’s Vincentians, well trained, guided and effectively practicing the Vincentian virtues, can be the key to an even stronger, dynamic and relevant SSVP in the coming years, capable of facing adversities with creativity, courage and a deep social commitment.”

Geyson also believes in a flourishing future full of achievements: “10 years from now, I hope to see the fruits of the seeds we are planting today, with the SSVP bigger, not only in numbers, but in quality of service and impact on people’s lives.”

But Bruno warns, “Without urgent action, the SSVP risks becoming outdated. We need to invest in youth as the present of the organization, training new leaders and making room for innovative ideas.”

Calling on youth

Geyson and Bruno also make an appeal to young people:

“If you are thinking about joining the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, know that you are taking a step toward something much bigger than you think. Here you will find the opportunity to make a difference in the world in a concrete and real way. It’s not just about giving something to those in need, but about sharing hope and growing as a person,” stresses the current CJ Coordinator.

Bruno makes a direct invitation: “Hello young people, how are you? Will you come and join the SSVP? This is where you will live your faith in action, transform lives and earn a little piece of heaven! Don’t waste time, come and be part of this mission that is much bigger than you think.”

Source: http://www.ssvpbrasil.org.br/