The Vincentian Family, comprised of more than two hundred congregations, entities and associations around the world that draw on the charism of St. Vincent de Paul, involving millions of people in some 167 countries around the world, is about to experience a very important event: the Vincentian Convocation 2024 “Keeping the fire burning: Vincentian Synodality in action.”
This world meeting is scheduled to take place in Rome Nov. 14-17 and will be the second time the Vincentian Family will gather; this time “to keep the fire burning,” as the title anticipates. (The first gathering was held in January 2020, in Castel Gandolfo.) The theme also refers to “Vincentian Synodality in Action”: significantly, a reference to Pope Francis’ call for a renewal process through synodality. The three pillars of a synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission, are now “the permanent way of acting in the Church, at all levels.” (Pope Francis, June 13, 2024) and the Vincentian Family, whose diverse composition is itself valuable in that each member is a bearer of a different realization of the Vincentian charism, is invited to apply synodality in guiding the discernment of the times, that is, giving ever-new answers to the question “what is to be done?”
Participants at the meeting will begin their work on the afternoon of Thursday the 14th at Teatro Ghione on Via delle Fornaci, 37, in a synodal atmosphere beginning with a practical insight into what that means. Superior General Father Tomaž Mavrič, C.M. will then give a talk with the theme “The fuel that feeds the flame.”
The following day, Friday, Nov. 15, after the Eucharist celebrated by the Superior General, the prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development, Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., will give a reflection entitled “The Call of the Poor.” Synodal dialogue in small groups will then continue; followed by afternoon working sessions, held at “Casa Tra Noi” at 113 Via di Monte del Gallo.
On Saturday, Nov. 16, the focus will be on “Living Charity: the many faces of the Vincentian Charism in the world,” with a video describing the reality of the Vincentian Family, and “The Jubilee Year and the 13 Houses of St. Vincent Campaign.” Musical group Gen Verde will animate the Mass, to be celebrated in the Ghione Theater.
At 8 p.m., the concert “ARISE – Gen Verde Acoustic Concert” will be held, also in the same theater, with a lively program offering acoustic versions of some of the band’s best-loved songs, along with some pieces created especially for this concert, which touch on some of the most burning issues of our current times: peace, dialogue, unity in diversity, social justice. It will be a musical and spiritual journey, during which the band members will share some flashes of their artistic and personal journey, engaging the audience and inviting them to reflect on the topicality of the proposed themes. A special part of the program prepared in collaboration with the Vincentians will be especially dedicated to the celebration of the meeting’s conclusion. “It is a wonderful opportunity for us to be part of this conference and to be able to bring a special contribution through our concert. We feel the Vincentian Family as our family, where we have always experienced a great welcoming spirit and where we feel well-valued and wanted. So it is also a gift for us to be able to reciprocate this love through our music and to sing together with all the members of the Family, also sharing the songs inspired by the charism of St. Vincent de Paul, namely ‘Walk on Holy Ground’ and ‘Vincent’s Song (You Did It to Me),‘” says Nancy Uelmen (singer, pianist and composer, United States).
On Sunday, November 17, the final day of the meeting, participants will travel to St. Peter’s Square for the Mass for the World Day of the Poor celebrated by Pope Francis. The Holy Father will show his support for the Vincentian Family’s new initiative, the “13 Houses” Jubilee Project, an important milestone in its mission to support the most vulnerable. Launched by the Famvin Homeless Alliance (FHA), this initiative is in line with World Day of the Poor 2024 and the Church’s upcoming Jubilee. It aims to mobilize communities around the world to provide sustainable housing and self-sufficiency solutions for those experiencing homelessness.
