On April 20, the Province of Spain Center of the Daughters of Charity celebrated a historic milestone: its First Assembly of Lay Vincentians, held under the theme “Artisans of Peace and Hope.” The gathering brought together representatives from schools, residences, social works, the food bank, and volunteer teams, all united by a shared desire to deepen their Vincentian identity and strengthen their commitment to the mission.

The day opened with a welcome from Sister Mª del Carmen Gómez, Provincial Councilor, followed by a time of prayer led by Father Óscar Muñoz, Provincial Director. The keynote address, given by José Manuel Domínguez Prieto, invited participants to reflect on what it means to be a Vincentian leader today: someone who accompanies, cares, listens, and helps others grow through a patient and attentive presence.

Throughout the assembly, one conviction became clear: Vincentian identity is not an abstract idea or a label added to daily work. It is a way of seeing, serving, and being present. In schools, it becomes a seed of Christian values and a place of hope for children and young people. In residences and social works, it is expressed through an ethic of care, respect for human dignity, and a personal encounter that goes beyond technical assistance. In volunteer teams, it becomes a mission of hope, responding to the many forms of poverty that affect today’s society.

A particularly significant moment was the presentation of the Shared Mission Plan by Manuel Martín, followed by group reflection and dialogue. Participants expressed a strong sense of belonging to one common family. Lay people are not called to replace the Sisters, but to assume their own responsibility in the mission, contributing their professionalism, their fidelity to the charism, and the richness of their different perspectives.

The group work highlighted several important paths for the future. The first is the need to move from simply “doing” to truly “being”: to understand daily work as a genuine evangelizing mission. The second is to foster a culture of encounter, creating spaces for communication among the different works, rooted in closeness, shared service, and professional trust. The third is to advance toward real co-responsibility, with greater lay participation in the actions and decisions of the Province.

The assembly also emphasized the importance of responding to “new poverties,” strengthening volunteer service at the provincial level, and making the Vincentian identity more visible in society. Participants expressed deep gratitude for the witness and historical dedication of the Daughters of Charity, recognizing them as the spiritual soul and living reference point of the works.

The closing session was led by Sister Mª Concepción Monjas, Provincial Visitatrix, who encouraged everyone to look to the future with courage, creativity, and fidelity. The challenge ahead is to continue building a renewed charismatic family, with new languages and bold commitment, always placing the most vulnerable at the center.

The First Assembly of Lay Vincentians left a profound conviction: the Vincentian charism is a gift received, a treasure to be cared for, and a mission to be developed together. Sisters and lay people are called to walk side by side, with clarity, respect, and hope, so that the future may be a faithful evolution of the spirit of Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Louise de Marillac.

With information from the bulletin “Odres Nuevos,” published by the Province of Spain Center of the Daughters of Charity, No. 49, April 2026.