We invite you to listen to the inspiring testimony of Sister Maureen Tinkler, a Daughter of Charity who lives in central London and works as an animator of the Vincentian Charism and Values in the services of the Daughters of Charity in Great Britain.

In this video, Sister Maureen shares her profound experience of taking part in the Second Convocation of the Vincentian Family, which took place in Rome in November 2024.

From meeting over 300 participants from five continents, to her first time meeting Pope Francis in person, to witnessing the concrete action of the Church on behalf of the poorest – such as the 13 Houses Project – her message is filled with gratitude, joy and a renewed commitment to Vincentian collaboration.

May her words encourage and inspire us to live more deeply our common charism of service, justice and love for the poor.

Transcript:

Hello, my name is Sr Maureen Tinkler. I am a Daughter of Charity living in Central London and working as the Vincentian Charism and Values animator for Daughter of Charity Services in Great Britain.

I was delighted to be able to attend the Convocation in Rome last November. First of all because there were over three hundred of us from the five continents in attendance, coming from many different branches of the Vincentian Family and secondly because it was actually my first visit to Rome and my first time to visit St Peter’s with the opportunity of seeing Pope Francis in the flesh – albeit across a crowded basilica!

As we gathered in the Ghione Theatre in Rome on that first evening of the 14^th November, the atmosphere was joy-filled and noisy as participants, sharing the same Vincentian charism, came together. It was a meeting of old friends and new ones. It was great to have Fr Tomaž among us leading us in prayer and calling us to collaboration to meet the needs of the most vulnerable people world-wide.

The second day found us involved in working sessions with small groups using the synodal process. I learnt much about our collective commitment to justice, charity and the integral care of both the person and creation. We all had a deep desire to make a difference and be agents of change.

The third day took us from “words” and “sharing” to a visual panoramic view of the work undertaken by the Vincentian Family for the marginalised and those living in poverty. We also had an update on the work of the FAMVIN Homeless Alliance.

Another highpoint for me was the concert from the GEN VERDE MUSIC GROUP. Through the performance of their talented multicultural musicians, we were deeply and spiritually moved. As St Augustine once said: The one who sings prays twice”

Sunday the 17^th November was the World Day of the Poor, and it found our very large Vincentian group assembled in St Peter’s for Mass with Pope Francis as our main celebrant. I felt an enormous sense of pride as Pope Francis blessed 13 symbolic keys to new homes for homeless people in 13 different countries – Syria, Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chile, Costa Rica, Italy, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, United Kingdom and Ukraine.

The 13 Houses Project was given a great “plug” by Pope Francis to be undertaken in the Jubilee year as a work of mercy and a sign of hope.

After the convocation, I returned to London feeling energised and grateful to God for calling me to be a Daughter of Charity of St Vincent de Paul who also belongs to this wider Vincentian Family of brothers and sisters: All of us called to be in a relationship of friendship and service with so many people living in poverty.

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