College students from St. John’s University SVDP Conference attended the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering (CMSG) this past January. At the event, which takes place on Capital Hill in Washington DC, they attended workshops and participated in discussions about pressing domestic and global challenges. They also had the opportunity to meet with elected officials and advocate for change.
Briana Tola, St. John’s University Conference President, shares their experience, takeaways, and an important call to action for all young Vincentians:
Our Vice President, two highly active conference members, and I attended the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering (CMSG). This gathering is a time for Catholics to unite as advocates for change—becoming “missionaries of hope.”
During CMSG, we advocated for policies that uphold human dignity and the sanctity of life. As part of our mission, we met with our local congressional representatives at Capital Hill to discuss necessary changes that align with these values as Vincentians.
St. Vincent De Paul once said, “There is no act of charity that is not accompanied by justice, or that permits us to do more than we reasonably can.” This quote perfectly reflects the mission of CMSG, where advocacy is an essential act of charity rooted in justice. By engaging with lawmakers, we worked to ensure that our service as Vincentians extends beyond direct aid, striving for systemic change that upholds human dignity and equity.
My fellow young adult Vincentians, I call on you to advocate for our neighbors who need us most. As Vincentians, our mission goes beyond service—we must seek justice and systemic change for those who cannot advocate for themselves. By raising our voices and taking action, we can help create a more just and compassionate society where the dignity of every person is upheld. Let us follow in the footsteps of St. Vincent de Paul and be faithful missionaries of hope.
Genny Geiser
Source: https://svdpemergingleaders.blog/
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