History
Founding of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Vincent de Paul was a Catholic priest who dedicated himself to serving the poor. He was renowned for his compassion, humility, and generosity. For this reason he is known as the “Great Apostle of Charity”.
Louise de Marillac helped de Paul form the Daughters of Charity in 1633 in France. She taught people how to deepen their spiritual life. She said, “Love the poor and honor them as you would honor Christ Himself.”
Frederic Ozanam began the Saint Vincent de Paul Society with some fellow students after being challenged to show why his Church was a great Church. He said, “We must do what our Lord Jesus Christ did when preaching the gospel. Let us go to the poor.”
Rosalie Rendu was 17 when she joined the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul. She served in the slums of Paris and was sought out by Ozanam to teach the members of the Society to minister to the suffering and poor with gentleness and kindness.
