In this heartfelt video message, Mary Davoren, a dedicated volunteer with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and an active member of the Association of International Charities (AIC) in Ireland, shares her personal experience of the Second Vincentian Convocation held in Rome in November 2024.
Speaking from her deep Vincentian commitment, Mary reflects on the transformative spirit of the gathering, which brought together members of the global Vincentian Family under the theme “Keeping the Fires Burning to Be Pilgrims of Hope: Vincentian Synodality in Action.” Her testimony highlights the beauty of international collaboration, the inspiration of Pope Francis’ homily for the World Day of the Poor, and the call to live a faith that leads to concrete action.
Watch this video to be inspired by her witness—a voice of hope, service, and renewed commitment to those living in poverty.
Text of the video:
My name is Mary Davoren, and I am from Ireland where I am a Volunteer member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in a Visitation Conference close to my home in the West of Ireland.
I am also a member of the Association of International Charities in the Ballyfermot Branch, one of two branches in Dublin. The other branch is St. Peter’s Phibsborough, which is home to the National Shrine of the Miraculous Medal. There is also a Branch of the AIC in Belfast.
I attended the II Vincentian Convocation in Rome from the 14th to the 17th of November 2024 with the theme being “Keeping the Fires Burning to be Pilgrims of Hope: Vincentian Synodality in Action”.
I found the Convocation to be an enriching, life giving and commitment strengthening experience. Meeting others and participating with people from diverse nationalities and branches of the Vincentian Family who are engaged in various activities committed to the service of and to the improvement of the lives of the poor in many different ways was indeed inspirational.
I feel that the Convocation resurrected a heightened commitment in all attendees to move forward with renewed spirit, responding to the call of Pope Francis during his homily for the World Day of the Poor to all Christians to practice a faith that inspires action.
Gen Verde Band in Teatro Ghione and the Mass for the World Day of the Poor, the homily (the theme of which was The Prayer of the Poor rises up to God – Book of Sirach 21:5) which was preached by His Holiness Pope Francis, were closing and memorable highlights of the event.
Pope Francis challenged us during the course of his homily to look not only at the great problems of world poverty, but at the small things all of us can do each day by our lifestyle; by our attention to and caring for the environment in which we live; frequently afflicted by the tenacious pursuit of material possessions and wealth. He invited Christians to focus on the two realities of anguish and hope which always duel with each other.
Today, Pope Francis challenges us in another context which is that in order to fulfill the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection: “We must not stumble upon tomorrow, we must build it, and we all have the responsibility to do so in a way that responds to the project of God, which is none other than the happiness of mankind, without excluding anyone.”
Read or download the final Document of the Second Convocation of the Vincentian Family: “Keeping the Fire Burning to Be Pilgrims of Hope.”
0 Comments