A Moment of Communion and Mission

“Hi, brothers and sisters of the Vincentian Family.” With these heartfelt words, Eduardo Almeida begins his testimony, greeting a community he deeply cherishes. Eduardo traveled to Rome in November 2024 to participate in the Second Vincentian Family Assembly—a global gathering rooted in the shared charism of St. Vincent de Paul and his spiritual legacy of committed love for those in need.

Reflecting on his experience, Eduardo describes the Assembly as a powerful reminder of the impact the Vincentian Family can have when its various branches unite. “Sometimes we don’t realize how impactful we can be if we work together—all the branches, hand in hand—to better serve our Masters and our Lords.” The Assembly, in his eyes, was more than an event, it was an opportunity to rediscover the strength that comes from collaboration.

Themes That Mattered

Eduardo highlighted five key areas of reflection that shaped the assembly’s discussions:

1. Mutual Support Among Branches – How can the Vincentian branches reinforce each other at all levels to grow in numbers and improve the quality of their mission?
2. Improving Services – Focused conversations centered on enhancing education and healthcare initiatives that many Vincentian institutions provide.
3. Formation – The need for deeper, more consistent Vincentian formation emerged as a priority to sustain and grow the charism.
4. Promoting Vincentian Vocation – Building a culture that nurtures and celebrates the Vincentian vocation was seen as essential for the future.
5. Responding to the Cry of the Poor – At the heart of the assembly was the urgent call to listen and respond more effectively to the cries of the poor, with creativity, compassion, and solidarity

The Synodal Way

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Assembly, according to Eduardo, was the method used for the conversations: the synodal approach encouraged by Pope Francis. Rather than relying solely on presentations and structured panels, participants engaged in listening circles and small-group dialogue, fostering a spirit of shared discernment. “It was very inspiring!” Eduardo remarks, emphasizing how this process mirrored the values of humility, openness, and deep listening that are central to the Vincentian spirit.

A Call to Continue the Journey

Eduardo’s testimony ends with a challenge and an invitation: to keep the spirit of the Assembly alive in each branch and region of the Vincentian Family. “I hope we can continue these reflections… to honor the legacy of Vincent de Paul and our other founders.” In a world marked by fragmentation and individualism, his final words echo a profound truth: “If we walk alone, we can go faster. If we walk together, we can go farther.”

Final Reflection: Beyond the Assembly—Living the Vincentian Dream

Eduardo Almeida’s experience in Rome is more than a personal memory; it’s a mirror held up to the entire Vincentian Family, inviting us to look closely at how we live our vocation today. The Assembly was a powerful reminder that unity is not just an ideal, but a concrete path to more effective service. When we share formation, resources, and mission—when we truly see one another as brothers and sisters—we become more than the sum of our parts.

This is the heart of the Vincentian dream: not simply to serve the poor, but to do so as a family—joyfully, creatively, and faithfully. As we return to our local communities, Eduardo’s words call us to nurture the seeds planted in Rome. Because walking together, as he reminds us, doesn’t just take us farther. It brings us closer to the poor, to one another, and to the Gospel itself.

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