St. Vincent de Paul

About the

St. Vincent de Paul Society

Our Vision

The St. Vincent de Paul Conference of St. John Westminster will be an organization of lay men and women who promote our spiritual growth within the Society as reflected in our ability to offer person-to-person service to those in need in the traditions of its founder, Blessed Frederick Ozanam and Patron St. Vincent de Paul. We will work more effectively, in serving the needs of all of our neighbors. During this time, we will enhance the image of the Society to become a more visible sign of Christ. We will recognize the need for an increased ecumenical spirit within the conference as we increase our efforts to serve people in need.

How You Can Get Involved

The St. Vincent de Paul Society meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7PM in The Portico located on the parish campus. New members are always welcome. For more information about how you can help, contact the St. Vincent de Paul office at 410-848-8693.

Our History

We are an international charitable society organized in 1833 by Frederick Ozanam, a student of the University of Paris. He wanted to address the needs of the poor during the Industrial Revolution. He also wanted to expand his ministry beyond the city of Paris, focusing his increasing membership on youth and demonstrating how a ministry for the poor can improve the lives of young people by urging them to perform works of charity rather than just talking about the problem.

The group took as its patron the great French priest, St. Vincent De Paul, who had alerted the world of his day to many social concerns. The group began by visiting the poor in their homes and assisting them both spiritually and materially. The Society spread throughout Europe and to the USA in 1845. Today there are over 4,300 active conferences in this country with about 65,000 active members. Annually, the Society distributes over $800 million in direct aid to the poor in the USA.