An Encounter That Transforms Life

The Vincentian mission was never born from an abstract plan drawn up at a desk. As the Superior General, Father Tomaž Mavrič, CM, reminds us in his letter for the solemnity of our Founder:

“Saint Vincent did not begin with a project that was already complete; he began with an encounter, with a poor person who had a face and a name, and from there he allowed Jesus to write the rest.” (Fr. Tomaž Mavrič, CM, Letter to the Vincentian Family, 15 September 2026).

For the priests and brothers of the Mission, rediscovering our vocation means returning to that first encounter that deeply challenged and moved us. Saint Vincent de Paul never tired of reminding the first missionaries of the greatness and beauty of our commitment:

“Our vocation is to go, not to one parish, nor only to one diocese, but throughout the whole world. And for what purpose? To set the hearts of all people on fire.” (Saint Vincent de Paul, Complete Works, XIb, 553).

“One in Christ, United in Mission”

In his message for the 100th World Mission Sunday, Pope Leo XIV addresses the universal Church under the motto “One in Christ, United in Mission”, inviting us to renew our apostolic zeal:

“Let us allow ourselves to be guided and inspired by divine grace, so as to ‘renew in ourselves the fire of the missionary vocation’ and move forward together in the commitment to evangelization, in ‘a new missionary era’.” (Pope Leo XIV, Message for the 100th World Mission Sunday, 18 October 2026).

The Holy Father emphasizes that mission requires “hearts united in Christ, reconciled communities and, in everyone, a willingness to collaborate generously” (Ibid.). This unity in Christ is the true source of the vocational freshness of the Congregation of the Mission, called from its origins to continue the way of life of Jesus Christ himself, the evangelizer of the poor.

The Beauty of Our Vocation: Remaining Available

At times, pastoral overload, fatigue or the challenges of this changing age can cause us to lose sight of the joy of service. Yet Father Tomaž Mavrič, CM, offers us a certainty that brings comfort and renews the courage of every confrere:

“This is the beauty of our vocation: it does not ask us to be extraordinary, but to remain available. It does not promise us easy paths, but assures us that no step taken for the sake of the poor is ever lost. Therefore, let us move forward, without fear or haste, but together.” (Fr. Tomaž Mavrič, CM, Letter to the Vincentian Family, 15 September 2026).

Saint Vincent summed it up with the simplicity of one who had given everything: “Our vocation is to continue the mission of the Son of God” (Saint Vincent de Paul, Complete Works, XII, 80). It is not about boasting of great human achievements, but about offering our hands and our hearts so that God’s love may become tangible in the lives of those who are most abandoned.

For all these reasons, this Mission Month is not simply a liturgical or institutional date on the calendar, but a providential opportunity to pause amid the rush of daily life, renew our hearts and allow the Lord to question us once again. Embracing this call does not require great structures, but a constant attitude of listening, humility and fraternity. To embody this spirituality today in our daily missionary journey, we propose three fundamental attitudes:

1. Return to the “First Love”: Take a moment during your pastoral day to remember that personal moment when you felt called to follow Christ in the Little Company.
2. Cultivate availability: Ask yourself today what attachment, comfort or preconceived idea you need to let go of in order to reach out to someone who needs you.
3. Walk together: Mission is never an individual task; renew fraternity with your confreres in the community, supporting one another through shared prayer.