My Vincentian Journey: Finding My Place in the Plan
God has a plan for all of us. He knows how we fit into His plan long before we do. Sometimes our own plans for life might not go the way we expect, and we may even feel confused or alone. I have learned that if we trust God and look for ways to be of service to Him, He will guide us. I never thought my life would look the way it does today, but I am grateful! When I was lost, I turned to God, tried to act with love, and found my purpose and direction by serving others. Each challenge in my life prepared me in some unique and important way for my calling as a Vincentian, illuminating a part of the path God laid out for me.
Growing up, my parents were very involved in church and set good examples of service. My mother brought me along when she took food to families going through hard times. We shared support and friendship with them while visiting their homes, casually but in a way very similar to the Home Visits that Vincentians do. I remember bringing toys to poor communities as a part of my time in the Girl Scouts. When we needed help, our neighbors and friends were there for us as well. These early memories remain with me as guiding examples of Christian charity and neighborly love. God prepared me to become a Vincentian from the start!
When I left my little island, Puerto Rico, to attend college in California, I felt alone for the first time. I was in the big city of LA, surrounded by strangers who only spoke English. I was looking for friends and saw an opportunity to meet people at community service projects on campus. I got involved by joining a group that needed Spanish speaker to help students seeking political asylum at my university. Some of the students I served there are still very close friends to this day! I learned much about the needs of those seeking political safety in the USA. I also gained experience in case management and helping others navigate complicated government processes. When I thought I was alone, God was there guiding me towards new lifelong friendships. I connected with clients and God opened my eyes to the immense blessing of growing up in the sheltered safety and stability of a loving family in Puerto Rico. No longer naïve, I became an activist for the poor and powerless.
When I graduated, I entered the world of financial planning. I quickly threw myself completely into the financial world. It was challenging to be a Latina woman on Wall Street, but it became my plan to rise up and become a financial planning superstar. I felt independent, invincible, and unstoppable. Then an accident left me paralyzed from the neck down. I went from running towards my career goals to having to learn how to walk again. But God sends us angels in challenging times. My “roommate” at the hospital prayed, cried, and laughed with me. Her Christian devotion helped me learn to love and believe in God again. We still share a deep relationship founded on God’s love, and support each other through the hard times. The man who helped me learn to walk again would eventually become my husband. Without knowing it, I met the best example of Vincentian values ever: supportive, loving, accepting, compassionate, and free of judgement. When I felt most lost and thrown off course, God put angels in my life that exemplified faith, love, devotion, and compassion.
Being a mother is not always easy. I traded the hustle and bustle of my Wall Street career for the challenge of juggling the demands of motherhood, community service, and my neck and my lingering back condition. Back in 2010, I again found myself very scared and lost. One son was fighting in the war in Iraq, the other was about to move away for college, and I had lost both my parents and my brother in rapid succession. While praying after Mass one morning, our parish pastor noticed me grieving alone. Father John sat with me for a while, then told me to follow him. We walked into the parish offices, and I found myself in a small room with files and supplies strewn about. I met a Vincentian who said they could use some help. I didn’t know at the time how much of an influence that Vincentian would have on my life and my spiritual journey.
I began my (volunteer) Vincentian service by translating for clients and supporting the casework of other Vincentians. I initially struggled and was not good at conducting interviews at all. My financial planning background caused me to instruct and command clients rather than listen and support them. They “fired” me from case management, leaving me very heartbroken and quite sad. I was very good at organizing the messy office, and a few weeks later Father John called me and insisted I go back to the offices and lend a hand. Some of the long-term Vincentians grumbled after I filed away their forms and organized all the file cabinets. Soon those that had grumbled began appreciating the increases in efficiency and process improvements, they asked me to stay and get more involved. Being “fired” taught me to use my strengths, and I helped improve the finances of the counsel as a whole and organized the offices to help case managers accomplish more. When I lost my family and my home was empty, God provided a new family and a new home in need of love and guidance.
Father John called to insist I represent my conference at the National Assembly meeting. There I saw examples of Vincentians “embracing the world in a network of charity and friendship. These examples of leadership and service drove me across the border from volunteer to Vincentian. My unique experiences as a Latina, a woman in finance, a mother, and a woman with disabilities all aligned to prepare me to be a unique voice for those in the community who lacked one. God helped me overcome all those challenges to prepare me for my role as a Vincentian.
Meditating on this journey has helped me appreciate God’s loving guidance and increased my gratitude for the angels He has sent to help me along this path. The challenges I’ve faced have not only shaped who I am but have also deepened my understanding of Christian love and compassion. Each step of the way, God placed the right people, the right experiences, and the right opportunities in my path, reminding me that we are never alone in our service or our struggles.
Every Vincentian has their own unique journey, marked by moments of grace, growth, and faith. Whether it’s organizing, visiting homes, or offering counsel, each one of us plays a vital role in this beautiful network of charity. Countless small humble acts of service combine to make meaningful impact in the world.
As we continue this path together, I encourage each of you to take a moment and reflect on your own Vincentian journey. What challenges or blessings have brought you closer to your mission? Let’s share these experiences, learn from each other, and deepen our commitment to serving those in need.
Please continue the conversation!
Yours in Christ,
Isabel Darcy
National Vice President, Southeast Region
You are an inspiration, Isabel ~ and an incredible Vincentian sister!