Mission/Values

The Mission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul

“A network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships with and service to people in need.”

Who We Are

Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization, leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, and patron, St. Vincent de Paul.

As a reflection of the whole family of God, members, who are known as Vincentians, are drawn from every ethnic and cultural background, age group, and economic level. 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.

Organized locally, Vincentians witness God's love by embracing all works of charity and justice. The Society collaborates with other people of good will in relieving need and addressing its causes, making no distinction in those served because, in them, Vincentians see the face of Christ.

Essential virtues

Vincentians seek to emulate St. Vincent in the five virtues essential for promoting love and respect for the poor:

Simplicity

Frankness, integrity, genuineness.

Humility

Accepting the truth about our frailties, gifts talents and charism, yet knowing that all that God gives us is for others and that we can achieve nothing of eternal value without His grace.

Gentleness

Friendly assurance and invincible goodwill, which mean kindness, sweetness and patience in our relationship with others.

Selflessness

Dying to our ego with a life of self-sacrifice; members share their time, their possessions, their talents and themselves in a spirit of generosity.

Zeal

A passion for the full flourishing and eternal happiness of every person.

Core Values of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Holiness of Life

Growth in intimacy with Jesus is a life-long process.

Prayer is essential, personal and communal.

Service of the Poor

The dignity of the human person.

The preferential option for the poor.

The identification of Jesus with the poor.

Humility

The virtue of humility, personal and corporate.

Poverty in spirit is the primary Beatitude.

Simplicity

The virtue of simplicity.

Jesus is the Evangelizer and Servant of the Poor.

Divine Providence.

Charity

The Society is concerned with charity and justice.

The virtue of charity within and outside of the Society.

Solidarity.

Community of Faith

Friendship.

Community.