Frederic Ozanam
1813-1853
St. Vincent de Paul
1581-1660
HISTORY
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded in 1833 by Frederic
Ozanam, a 20-year-old student of the Sorbonne University in Paris.
In answer to a taunt for Christians to "Practice what they preach," Frederic Ozanam
and a group of fellow students started to seek out and visit the poor of Paris in
their homes - taking them bread and clothes, their friendship and their concern.
This small group took as their patron, St. Vincent de Paul, the great French
priest who alerted the world to the social problems in their midst.
Similar groups began in Paris and then in the rest of France before eventually
spreading throughout the Christian world with the purpose of demonstrating the love
of God by visiting those in need. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul International
Council is located in Paris, France. As of May 2006, the Society of St. Vincent
de Paul is active in 142 countries on five continents with 47,400 conferences and
650,000 members. In 1845, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was established in
St. Louis, Missouri and remains today as the USA National Council for the eight
regions throughout the U.S. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul spread rapidly
throughout the United States due to the efforts of the American bishops who were
the chief promoters of the Society.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was established in the Upper Peninsula in 1855.
The following information was recorded by Bishop Baraga in his diary.
1855
January 13: This morning with a prayer and an address, I inaugurated the Society
of St. Vincent de Paul, which the Rev. Mr. Jahan had initiated, and which hopefully
will do much good. May God grant it.
Feb. 4: Today the first Sunday of the month, pontifical Mass for the first general
communion of the members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. (in Mackinaw)
March 4: Today on the first Sunday of the month, pontifical Mass for the first general
communion of the members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. (in St. Ignace)
March 11: Third Sunday of Lent, founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, to which
God the Lord may give his blessing.
To learn more about St. Vincent de Paul click here.
To learn more about Frederic Ozanam click here.