To the Heights!
Can a young person change the world? This may sound like an easy question to answer. If so, why do so many struggle with this question?
To answer this question, we all must first define what it means to be a young person. It’s not about chronological age! It’s a state of mind.
As Vincentians, we should all keep Matthew 19:14 in mind, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Earlier in the Gospel, Jesus says, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,* you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Jesus’ Vincentian message embraces our virtues of simplicity and humility. It reminds me, too, of Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus: Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born* from above.” We are called to embrace our youth through continual renewal of our faith.
Again, not only is age a state of mind, but it is an essential part of our Vincentian spiritual journey. This past Sunday, we celebrated the Baptism of our Lord. When Jesus spoke to Nicodemus about baptism, he revealed that “no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit”.
I saw Jesus’ message come alive at this year’s 2026 SEEK conference just last week, as over 26,000 college age adults came together across 3 U.S. cities. I was blessed with the opportunity to be in attendance with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Youth, Young Adult, and Emerging Leaders delegation.
I saw over 26,000 Vincentians that just did not know they were Vincentians yet! And our young adult representatives led by Linda Roghair, National Vice President of Youth, Young Adults & Emerging Leaders (YYAEL), did a magnificent job inviting countless young adults to join our Society!
I witnessed the youth that Jesus described in Scripture! Energy and enthusiasm for our faith beyond description! It fired me up!
The theme for this year’s SEEK was “To the Heights,” inspired by a Vincentian that embraced our virtues and lived our charism.
St. Pier Giorgio Frassati joined the Society at 17 in Italy and was committed to growing in holiness right up to his death at 24. St. Pier Giorgio contracted polio and passed away within a week. An avid mountaineer, Frassati’s life exemplified holiness and joy, urging others to “go to the heights.”
As he was dying, he wrote instructions, with a partially paralyzed hand, to a fellow Vincentian, so that medicine could be delivered to a neighbor in need and that a pawn ticket could be paid for another neighbor. He always prioritized the poor, often giving away his own money and possessions, and his final act perfectly embodied the Vincentian Charism of going to the poor and bringing them comfort and hope.
St. Pier Giorgio’s life exemplified the call to holiness through radical charity, making the needs of the poor his own, a commitment that shone in his last moments. He was a voice for the poor by advocating for workers and opposing exploitation, viewing the poor as individuals with inherent dignity.
St. Pier Giorgio was a leader that embraced the “Why” of his Vincentian spiritual journey. He focused on the purpose of continually growing in holiness through wholly committing himself to our Vincentian beliefs.
In this new year, let’s follow St. Pier Giorgio’s example of growing in holiness and youthful friendship as we serve Christ one person at a time. With great passion and youthful zeal, let’s change the world together by bringing our Society to new Heights in 2026!
Best wishes in Christ,
Michael
