ABOUT THE SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP), a Catholic lay organization, leads women and men
to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to the needy and suffering in the tradition of its
founder, Frederic Ozanam, and patron Saint Vincent de Paul.
As a reflection of the whole family of God, members, known as Vincentians, are drawn from every ethnic and cultural
background, age group, and economic level. They 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 held at
least twice a month and adherence to a basic Rule.
Organized locally, members 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, because in them Vincentians see the face
of Christ.
Vincentians are witness to God’s love by embracing all works of charity and justice. The primary role of the Vincentian
is not to pay the bills, furnish groceries, or clothe someone. The role of the Vincentian is to provide loving and
compassionate interest in individuals. If that interest calls for food, clothing or other assistance, so be it. However,
it is in loving where the contact with Christ emerges. That contact with Christ is what separates the Society of St. Vincent
de Paul from just another social agency.
If you feel you would like to become a Vincentian please call the SVdP Executive Director at 405-364-0896 and she will
direct you to the nearest catholic parish with a Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference.
As Vincentians, we do the work of serving the poor in their neighborhoods and communities. Based on the tradition of
founder Frederic Ozanam and patron St. Vincent de Paul, members of the Society are drawn from every ethnic and
cultural background, age, and economic level.
From the Society’s beginning, the central and most basic activity of Conferences has been the visitation of the needy in
their homes. This is the clearest symbol of Vincentian charism, which dictates the highest respect for the dignity of the
poor. Home visits symbolizes our Vincentian commitment to reach out to the needy, rather than require them to report to
an outside service site. In the home, needy persons feel most free to confide their stories of struggle. In that family
setting, Vincentians are asked to listen, offer humble advice, and render assistance.
In the modern world, there are certain situations when a home visit is not possible or advisable – for example, those
involving homelessness, battering, or safety. Nevertheless, Vincentians should never excuse themselves lightly or
regularly from the tradition of home visitation. Even when assistance is given in an emergency from the parish or other
service site, Vincentians should follow up with a home visit.
Vincentians always visit in pairs. This practice emphasizes the Conference’s status as a community, not a collection of
individuals who “do their own thing.” The visiting team is ideally composed of Vincentians of both genders, various age
groups, and different life experiences, so that a better perspective of the needy person’s situation can be gained, and
various courses of action explored. From the beginning, Vincentian visitation to the needy was done in pairs for the
protection both of the needy person and the members. The precedent was set by Christ Himself, when He sent out the
Apostles two by two (MK 6:7). The Society wisely continues this tradition in the interest of safety, liability and propriety.
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