The Second Convocation of the Vincentian Family, held in Rome, November 14-17, 2024, brought together representatives from all over the world with a common goal: to respond with renewed commitment to the cry of the poor and of the earth. In an atmosphere of fraternity and diversity, they reflected on the Vincentian mission in today’s world, stressing the need to work in synodality, building networks and alliances that foster structural change and care for human dignity.

The final document of the meeting, entitled Keeping the fire burning to be pilgrims of hope, highlights the importance of upholding the passion for the Vincentian charism in the transmission to new generations. It emphasizes the commitment to the formation of leaders to animate and strengthen the Vincentian mission in different contexts. It also highlights the commitment of Pope Francis in choosing the 13 Houses Project as part of the Jubilee, a concrete sign of the call to be at the side of those who suffer the most.

Sister María Donat, Daughter of Charity of the Province of Eastern Spain, shares in her testimony the treasure of having participated in this meeting. She highlights the emotion of meeting with brothers and sisters from different parts of the world, all inspired by St. Vincent de Paul and united in seeking new ways for the mission. For her, living service with simplicity and closeness is essential, but so is promoting structures that transform the reality of the poorest. Her invitation is clear: join this movement, building family and promoting together the dignity and care of the person and the earth.

Translation:

Greetings to all.

I am a Daughter of Charity from the province of Eastern Spain. I had the grace of participating in Rome last November in the second convocation of the Vincentian Family in Rome, and I enjoyed seeing the participation of so many countries very much; the richness of diversity around a single objective: to go to meet the poorest, to go to the areas where suffering increases and as a Vincentian Family to be present to get more and more involved in the defense of human dignity. It was also impressive to see the passion for the transmission of the charism to new generations.

I really love, on a daily basis, to live in service with simplicity in proximity to the poor, close to the person, valuing each encounter. But how beautiful it is also to find in the midst of the complexity and diversity of our world, our brothers and sisters, some belonging to the Vincentian Family, and others inspired by St. Vincent, all united in seeking and committed to change structures, networking, creating alliances to care for and improve the lives of people and their contexts.

Pope Francis’ gesture of choosing the “13 Houses Project” for the Jubilee was a very touching and precious gesture.

There are so many things that we could say about this meeting…

What is important is that we all feel the Mission in our hearts and we want to look for the best strategies of communication and information, and especially in the commitment to the formation of leaders for the animation of the whole Vincentian movement.

Together to promote new ways in defense of human dignity, the care of the person and the care of the earth.

Listening together to the cry of the poor and the cry of the earth has been the best experience, and being able to celebrate together the richness of diversity, a magnificent gift.

I invite you all to join this movement, making family.

THANK YOU.

María Donat DC

Read or download the final Document of the Second Convocation of the Vincentian Family: “Keeping the Fire Burning to Be Pilgrims of Hope.”

“Keeping the Fire Burning to Be Pilgrims of Hope”: Document of the Second Convocation of the Vincentian Family