We are pleased to share a moving video testimony from Sister Rosemary Moynihan, SC, who offers her personal reflection on the II Vincentian Family Convocation, held in Rome in November 2024. From 2011 to 2019, Sister Rosemary served as General Superior of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, and her deep roots in the Vincentian tradition shine through every word of her witness.

In this heartfelt message, Sister Rosemary describes the convocation as “a source of great hope and joy,” where the Vincentian Charism of Charity came alive through shared mission, global diversity, and renewed spiritual purpose. She recounts the powerful experience of being united with Vincentians from across the world—of all ages, cultures, and abilities—gathered to reflect, share, and recommit themselves to walking the path of St. Vincent, St. Louise, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.

Her testimony captures both the personal renewal and the collective inspiration that marked the convocation. She highlights a deeply touching encounter with two sisters from Indonesia whose courageous and creative response to local poverty through microloans stands as a living example of faith in action.

Echoing Pope Francis’s words at the closing Mass for the World Day of the Poor—“Don’t forget the poor”—Sister Rosemary’s message is a powerful reminder that the Mission of Charity is more urgent and necessary than ever in today’s polarized and uncertain world.

We invite you to watch and be inspired by her story—a call to action, a celebration of community, and a reaffirmation of the grace that sustains our shared Vincentian journey.

Transcript:

My experience at the Vincentian Family gathering in Rome, November 2024 was a source of great hope and joy for me.

• There I experienced firsthand and personally St. Vincent’s quote that “Charity (or God’s love) is the cement which binds communities to God and people to one another…
• And there was a deeply personal emphasis – “So let us love God, but let it be with the strength of our arms and the sweat of our brow” It was clear to me why the vibrant Vincentian Charism of Charity has remained alive and on fire for 400 years…

• Vincentians of all ages, cultures, races, abilities came to the convocation – Responding to the call to personal involvement / commitment to the Mission of Charity…

• We:
  • reflected on the meaning of these times;
  • probed our experiences to gain greater understanding of the challenges of our collective identity and mission;
  • rekindled the fire of Charity in each other…conscious followers of Vincent, Louise and Elizabeth to become prophets of hope as called by Pope Francis.
• I found that my commitment was …. revitalized once again
• …the formal and informal sharing created a bond that strengthened our shared identity…. carrying us together back into our chaotic, uncertain, polarized world with deeper faith, and greater certainty and focus on the charism of charity.
• One experience remains in my heart and mind. Two religious sisters traveled from Indonesia, SE Asia……fairly isolated by language and culture they enthusiastically made every effort to communicate and learn. They shared with me through signing language and our mutual desire to communicate that “we care for people like your Helen Keller…we help those who are unable to speak, hear or see” …  Are they poor I asked?
• “Not all, but those who live around us are. They are farmers who are unable to grow enough even to feed their own families.”
• That’s why we’re here…. we wanted to share our deep concern for them and our efforts to help them. Resources are scarce here so we….tried to make connections to help them….our congregation was founded in Netherlands…and when vocations stopped coming, we moved the motherhouse to Indonesia to engage young women in the Mission.
• In thinking the situation through we decided to contact a bank in the Netherlands and worked with them to set up a system of microloans to help the farmers. Now a few years later they are able to harvest enough to feed themselves and take the rest to market.  It worked!
• I was humbled and heartened by these 2 women, one young, one older…traveling so far with communication barriers, …intense direct ministry…awareness of the needs around them and with creativity and courage taking the risk to find a helpful intervention for their neighbors.

There were some quotes from the convocation…that shaped my experience

• Vincent’s “The Grace of God has its Moments”

If there was any time to seek to be open to grace and to trust that it is at work it is now…in our chaotic, frenetic, polarized world/society

• And simply, On the last day of the convocation at the Vatican Mass for the World Day of the Poor…

Pope Francis’s last word to us (probably the last words most of us ever heard him say) “Don’t Forget the Poor”.

Don’t Forget the Poor!

Many blessings, Dear Friends… let us continue to walk together in the Mission of Charity and let us never forget 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