Mission and Values
A little bit of history of the Society...
A little bit of history of the Society...
Blessed Frederic Ozanam
The Society is almost 200 years old. It was founded in Paris in 1833, and named after the great French saint, St. Vincent de Paul, who was known for his heroic goodness to the poor.
The Society is almost 200 years old. It was founded in Paris in 1833, and named after the great French saint, St. Vincent de Paul, who was known for his heroic goodness to the poor.
It was founded by Blessed Frederic Ozanam, who was young at the time (only a 20 year old University student at the Sorbonne in Paris). He founded the Society in response to a challenge from his friends to "show us the good works that your church does today!"
It was founded by Blessed Frederic Ozanam, who was young at the time (only a 20 year old University student at the Sorbonne in Paris). He founded the Society in response to a challenge from his friends to "show us the good works that your church does today!"
Frederic knew that people often talk about doing good for others, but rarely do anything about it. With friends, he set out to change the way things were. They began, with the guidance of Blessed Sister Rosalie Rendu, by taking bread to the poor of Paris. Later that same year, they started their own charity, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
Frederic knew that people often talk about doing good for others, but rarely do anything about it. With friends, he set out to change the way things were. They began, with the guidance of Blessed Sister Rosalie Rendu, by taking bread to the poor of Paris. Later that same year, they started their own charity, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
Sister Rosalie Rendu
The Mission and Values of the Society
The Mission and Values of the Society
St. Vincent de Paul
Inspired by Gospel values, the Society leads men and women 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 Frederic Ozanam. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is composed of women and men who seek their personal holiness through works of charity. In this essential way, the Society differs from charitable associations or agencies whose principal objective is not the spiritual advancement of their members but the doing of good for someone else.
Inspired by Gospel values, the Society leads men and women 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 Frederic Ozanam. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is composed of women and men who seek their personal holiness through works of charity. In this essential way, the Society differs from charitable associations or agencies whose principal objective is not the spiritual advancement of their members but the doing of good for someone else.
“NO WORK OF CHARITY IS FOREIGN TO THE SOCIETY”
“NO WORK OF CHARITY IS FOREIGN TO THE SOCIETY”
Blessed Frederic Ozanam