St. Vincent De Paul
Mission Statement

“And Who is my neighbor?”

This quote iS from the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10/29:37) which was a story of special personal significance to Frederic Ozanam, founder of the Society of St. Vincent DePaul.

The Society of St. Vincent DePaul is an international Catholic Organization of laypersons who wish to live their faith by loving and serving as Jesus did. It was founded in Paris, France in 1833 by Frederic Ozanam, a 20-year-old college student and his companions to bear witness to the Church and the mission it received from Jesus. Placed under the patronage of St. Vincent DePaul, the Society derives its inspiration from his thinking and work and seeks in a sprit of justice and charity, by a person-to-person involvement of its volunteer members, to help those who are needy and suffering, especially those most in need. The society’s charitable services, expressed principally through its network of parish volunteer groups called “Conferences,” is part of the life of the Catholic Church and is closely associated with Catholic Service and other diocesan organizations involved in lay ministry.

No work of charity is foreign to the society. Its ministry through a person-to-person contact encompasses every form of aid that alleviates suffering and promotes the dignity and integrity of mankind. It serves everyone regardless of creed, opinion, color or origin.

Vincentians strive, through prayer, meditation on the Scriptures, fidelity to the teachings of the Church and in various aspects of their daily lives, to bear witness to the love of Christ in their relationship with those they serve. It is through these relationships that members share Jesus’ healing love and presence with those in need and in this very giving of themselves, receive from the very needy and suffering they serve, more of Jesus whom they seek to emulate. Those who see in the poor the face of Jesus, understand the Vincentian spirit.

Faithful to its founders, the Society constantly strives to renew and adapt itself to the changing conditions of the world. Members, united in the same spirit of poverty and sharing, form with those they help, one and the same family throughout the world. The Vincentian is there to serve, not to judge.

Whatsoever you did to the least of My brothers and sisters, you did to Me. (Matt:26/45)

Chapter I
History of the St. Vincent DePaul Society

How the Society Came to Be – Paris, France, April 23, 1833

It was a Tuesday night, the 23rd of April in 1833 that the Society of St. Vincent DePaul came into being at the offices of the newspaper, Tribute Catholique, at No. 38 Rue du Petit, Bourbon - St. Sulspice. Six of the seven participants were students: Frederick Ozanam, Felix Clave, Jules Deraux, Francois Lallier, Paul Lamache and August Le Taillandier. The seventh was Emmanuel Joseph Bailly who was 30 years old and the owner/editor of the paper.
They came together that night to celebrate Frederic Ozanam's 20th birthday, but a challenge to these students the previous month was on their minds. Other students accused the Church of being a friend to the rich and exploiter of the poor; that the laity put the burden of relief for the poor upon the religious orders and then washed their hands of the job and ended saying "Don't impress us with what the priests and nuns are doing for the poor. Tell us, Frederick Ozanam, what are you doing for them - you and your fellow Catholics in this room."
As a result, the first Conference was organized as a lay group to personally provide assistance to people. They were assisted in their initial efforts by Sister Rosalie who worked with the poor and had told them: "Always remember that if we had lived through the hardships the poor have had to meet - if our childhood had been one of constant want, perhaps we too, would have given way to envy and hatred as, I must admit, have so many of the poor in this quarter. Be kind and love, for love is your gift to the poor. They will appreciate your kindness and your love more than anything else you can bring them." They took as their model, the great St. Vincent DePaul. After their initial efforts in assisting the poor, the group's spirituality and person-to-person ministry spread through France with spontaneous enthusiasm.
The Society in the United States
Twelve years later in 1845, the rule of the Society was given to Fr. Ambrose Heim in St. Louis, Missouri who catalyzed the first Conference of the Society of the United States at the Cathedral of St. Louis. The movement was quickly and widely supported in this country.
Conclusion
The International Society celebrated 150 years of service out of love of God and His Poor in 1983. Each member should rededicate himself/herself in the spirit of faith and unselfishness by which Vincentians, living and departed, made this progress of service possible. Members should remember that every Conference currently existing in our Diocese can be traced through a direct line back to Paris, France. It is good for all of us to reflect on our “family tree” to realize that each member, each Conference, each Council at some point in time was dependent on another Vincentian from outside their area to make the invitation to become involved in Vincentiansim and its ministry. This interdependence is a fact.

If You are interested in becomeing a member please contact Tom Klotz at 262-284-5725.