1st Interprovincial Meeting of Sisters with up to 15 Years of Vocation – Provinces of Brazil
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – October 14–18, 2025
From October 14 to 18, 2025, the 1st Interprovincial Meeting of Young Sisters with up to 15 years of vocation was held in Rio de Janeiro. We gathered as Pilgrims of Charity, eager to strengthen our Vincentian identity and renew our missionary fervor. From the very beginning, fraternal joy and shared experiences revealed the living presence of God among us.
Inspiring Presences
The meeting was enriched by the presence of Sister Françoise Petit, Superioress General, who, with tenderness and wisdom, invited us to persevere in our vocation with joy and fidelity, keeping the Poor at the Centre of our service. She reminded us that “there is nothing in our Constitutions that hinders missionary audacity,” and that fidelity is a path of daily love. Sister Ana Amélia Guedes, General Councilor, helped us reflect on the theme of the meeting, reminding us that the Community is a space of lived Gospel, where fraternal love becomes mission. Referring to the theme of the Assemblies, she compared the Company to a “great workshop” where each Sister is an artisan of Peace and Charity, discreetly contributing to the beauty of the whole. Father José Antônio González Prieto, CM, General Director, was also present and reminded us that communion, participation, and mission are part of the Vincentian essence. Synodality, he said, is an expression of listening to the Spirit and of the pastoral conversion to which we are called.
Addressing the importance of balance and lightness in our vocation, Fr. Ronaldo Zacharias, SDC, emphasised the need to integrate body, spirit, and affectivity in following Christ. Fr. Eli Chaves, CM, warned us of the danger of being “Christians without Jesus” and invited us to rediscover the enchantment of first love. “Only with our feet on the ground of reality and our eyes fixed on Christ is it possible to hope and advance,” he affirmed. We also received a message from Fr. Tomaž Mavrič, CM, Superior General, who encouraged us to live a fervent and missionary spirituality, keeping the Vincentian Charism alive in service to the Poor.
Incarnated Gospel: Visit to the Refugee Centre
One of the most touching moments was the visit to the Refugee and Immigrant Centre maintained by the Province of Rio de Janeiro. There, the Gospel took on face and voice in the stories of those who found welcome and dignity. Serving the Poor once again revealed itself as serving Christ Himself.
Closing with Hope
In her final message, Sister Françoise Petit, speaking in Portuguese, shared the joy of having journeyed among us. She renewed the Company’s consecration to Our Lady at the National Shrine of Aparecida and reaffirmed the offering made by Saint Louise 381 years ago in Chartres. With faith, she declared:
“We are not alone. We walk together. Keep the enthusiasm and deepen your rootedness in Jesus.”
Rekindled Journey
With gratitude, we returned to our communities carrying the rekindled flame of vocation. May Mary, Mother and Guardian of the Company, help us keep the lights we received burning and advance with hope, in the footsteps of Vincent and Louise, toward the Poor, where Christ Himself awaits us.
Blessed be God, who walks with us!
