Some Preliminaries:

This month, and for the remainder of this year (2025) and most of next year (2026), the monthly reflection will focus on the Final Document of the II International Convocation that was held in Rome during the month of November 2024. In order for these reflections to be productive and for your time together to be fruitful, it will be important that you read, at the very least, the indicated section of the Document before coming together as a group (this month the reflection is focused on the Introduction, page one of the English and Spanish edition of the Document). This reflection will be posted on famvin.org (on both the English and the Spanish site). Therefore, at the beginning of your session, each Confraternity is asked to elect/appoint a secretary who will take notes on your reflection time and then post those notes in the section “Comments/Comentario” of the reflection posted on the FamVin site. In this manner it is hoped that we will all be enriched by our sharing on these various reflections.

Click on the following image to download the full document in English:

Reflection on the Introduction

The Document states that there was a threefold purpose behind the gathering that took place in Rome: [1] to reflect on the meaning of the times in order to understand the challenges of our collective identity and mission, [2] to rekindle the fire, and [3] to become pilgrims and prophets of hope in the 167 countries where we live our mission.

Furthermore, the participants state that this document is intended to serve as a guiding/inspiring document for the entire Family in upcoming gatherings, discussion, and planning sessions at the local, national, regional and continental levels.

Let us pause for a moment and consider some significant realities in this regard. First, the fact that the Vincentian Family is present in 167 countries gives us much reason to lift up our voices and give thanks to God. Nevertheless, there are many members of our Family who are unaware of the branches that are present in their own region and/or country.

In light of this reality, first, a question: as you begin your reflection are you able to name all the branches that are ministering at the local, regional and national level of your respective countries?

Second, a challenge: each week for the next month (and even better for the next year), take the time to speak to one member of the Vincentian Family. Allow that individual to speak to you for 5 to 10 minutes and share his/her ministry, hopes, dreams about the future. Do not interrupt that person and after the person has finished you then share your ministry hopes and dreams about the future. As a community organizer I am very aware of the importance of establishing relationships and this is one powerful way to accomplish that task. Next month, ask one another how this task was or was developed and what happened.

Yes, the first consideration in all of this revolves around the reality of relationships. In order to engage in dialogue, plan and inspire one another, we must first know one another. As members of the various Confraternities in Latin America, you are very aware of the difficulties involved in “knowing and relating” to one another. You yourselves had to confront and continue to confront multiple obstacles in order for your group to come together on a monthly basis. Some Confraternities have been very successful in this regard while others struggle to exist. All of you have had to struggle with this reality on the level of your specific Confraternity, can you imagine what is involved in knowing one another on the national and international level?

Many of your Confraternities are composed of individuals from various countries … and you are to be praised and affirmed in this regard. At the same time, we encourage you to continue to grow and seek ways to expand. Look at the example of Frederic Ozanam and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul: it all began with seven individuals deciding to form a group in Paris, France and today there are more than 800,000 members in 155 countries … again relationships. With all the technology that is available to you, your growth is limitless.

Again, I pose a question to you as I focus on the second aspect that I wish to highlight: has your Confraternity reflected on the meaning of the times in order to understand the challenges of your collective identity and mission?

The fact that you come together as men and women who share a common bond/vocation/ministry, that is, the fact that you come together as lawyers, teachers, psychologists, musicians, poets, artists, translators, alumni of Vincentian educational institutions, indigenous Vincentians, leaders, Bible study groups, teenagers, farmers… all of this is very positive and gives us reason to rejoice with you. This shared bond unites you and, we hope, allows you to reflect more deeply on the challenges you face today, in this year 2025.

In conclusion, let me pose the following questions:

1. How can you come to know one another on a deeper level?
2. What steps can you take to expand the membership of your Confraternity?
3. What are the challenges you face as you attempt to give witness to the gospel and the Vincentian charism in the place where you reside?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you who willed to become poor, give us eyes and a heart directed toward the poor, help us to recognize you in them– in their thirst, their hunger, their loneliness, and their misfortune. Enkindle within our Vincentian Family unity, simplicity, humility, and the fire of love that burned in St. Vincent de Paul. Strengthen us, so that, faithful to the practice of these virtues, we may contemplate you and serve you in the person of the poor, and may one day be united with you and them in your kingdom.

Amen.