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 Solange Wider, Sister of Charity of St. Jeanne Antida Thouret, shares her testimony here.

Translation:

Good morning everyone.

Meeting each other is a beautiful thing; by meeting others we try to meet the Lord, through others. During this meeting of Vincentian Family, I experienced a beautiful time of meeting. We are all different; we come from different countries, we speak different languages, we have different traditions, we are lay people and religious men and women, from different congregations and charisms, but in the end we manage to meet each other.

We already met in prayer but we also meet in dialogue. This dialogue can be very quick when we pass a person in the hallway, when there is a smile exchanged, but it can also be a deeper dialogue, in an afternoon workshop, in a group exchange.

I want to say thank you for this beautiful opportunity I had, to experience so many interesting encounters.
For me St. Vincent is a fundamental personality, he always knew how to open his heart to encounter, with God and with the poor, poor people themselves who send him back to God. We are in unity. St. Vincent was able to meet even the richest people, who could help his service.

St. Vincent calls us to meet, across borders.

I give thanks for all the meetings we have been able to experience, and I rejoice because I know they have not been an end in themselves, but now that we have begun to know each other we can meet again, face each other, experience other meetings for other projects, always with the purpose of bringing the fire of charity to the world, and to be able, with the charism of St. Vincent and the Vincentian Family to grow together in the service of the poor.

Thank you!

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