The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an international Catholic organization of lay persons, founded in 1833 by Frederic Ozanam and his companions. Placed under the patronage of St. Vincent de Paul, the Society derives its inspiration from his thinking and work. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul seeks, in a spirit of justice and charity of its members, to help those who are suffering.
Faithful to the spirit of its founders, the Society constantly strives to renew and adapt itself to the changing conditions of the world.
Catholic in character, the Society is open to all who wish to live their faith by loving and serving their neighbor.
No work of charity is foreign to the Society. Vincentian helping can include any person-to-person assistance that promotes human dignity and integrity. The Society is concerned not only with relieving need but also with redressing the situations that cause it.
Members of the Society are united in the same spirit of poverty and sharing. There is no distinction regarding wealth, position, social status, or ethnic origin in the Society. Members form throughout the world, with those they help, one and the same family.
