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 f irst 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 holy blessing.