Link to Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Meetings: The meetings will be on the third (3rd) Tuesday of the month, at 8:00pm to 9:00pm in the Rectory office 

 “ Vincentians witness God’s love by embracing all works of charity and justice.”

( -- from the society’s mission statement)

A short history of the

SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL

I. Chapter One: The Society

A. The Mission Statement

-- lay organization made up of men and women of every ethnic and cultural background, age group and economic level

-- inspired by Gospel values

-- diverse members grow spiritually through service to others

“Vincentians are united in an international society of charity by their spirit of poverty, humility and sharing, which is nourished by prayer and reflection, mutually supportive gatherings and adherence to a basic Rule.”

B. The Founder

-- Frederic Ozanam (beatified in

-- college student -- age 20

-- native of Lyons, France

-- wanted to prove faith through actions

-- in April 1833 formed a conference of college students in Paris to address needs of poor (helping people in the neighborhood)

-- purpose: To grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to the needy & suffering

C. Voice for the poor

-- recipients are to empower themselves to be free from the need for ongoing assistance

-- personal action to apply the most effective solutions to the needs of the poor

-- action, action, action

-- members themselves may be of low economic means

D. Home Visits

-- to play a vital role because assistance is not limited to material need but also to bolster and advance the human spirit

-- there are multiple needs of the poor, i.e. visitation to the lonely, moral encouragement, support for the down-trodden

--program of visitation can be set in motion quietly and without complicated organization (does not require great sacrifice of time or money and is adaptable)

-- Home visits:

gives members a knowledge of want

widens the members’ outlook

apprenticeship in social service

immediate relief of suffering

atmosphere of friendliness

E. Essential Elements of the society

1. To bear witness to Christ and His Church by showing faith inspires good work

2. To bring together humans in drawing closer to God

3. To establish personal contact between members and those who suffer

*** TODAY THERE ARE NEARLY 50,000 conferences and over 875,000 members in 132 countries

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