The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which has become the largest international organization of lay Catholic men and women who have dedicated themselves to the ministry of assisting people in need, started out in Paris, France, in 1833. The impetus for Ozanam starting the St. Vincent de Paul Society resulted from the aftermath of the French Revolution. At that time, who was born April 23, 1813, was a 19-year-old student at Sorbonne University in Paris, who met regularly with fellow Catholic students to discuss and debate the issues of the day. At a public meeting, Ozanam was challenged with a question about what, as a Catholic, he was doing to help the needy. Unable to respond, Ozanam and his friends conceded the questioner’s point.

Soon afterward, Ozanam and his friends created a group whose mission was to serve the poor in Paris. He impressed upon conference members the need to offer kindness, respect and compassion to the people they visited. In his view, this was as important as the food or clothing they brought with them. Ozanam chose St. Vincent de Paul as the patron of the conference given that the 16 th century cleric was known as the Apostle of Charity.

Within a few years, the original group of seven grew to 600, spreading to 15 other cities and towns in France, number more than 2,000 members.

Ozanam went on to become a husband, father, professor and servant of the poor. By the age of 26, he obtained a doctorate in law and literature. He died in 1853 at 40 years old. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1997.

In the United States, the first meeting of the St. Vincent de Paul Society was held Nov. 20. 1845, in the Basilica of St. Louis, King of France, in St. Louis, Mo. As the society grew, the volunteer groups that had formed in parishes became officially known as conferences. A conference may be based out of a parish, community center, school or hospital and is composed of Catholic volunteers who dedicate their time and resources to help those in need in their community. Non-Catholics may join with the understanding that the society is a Catholic organization.

The volunteers, who are referred to as Vincentians, go about their work by first beginning with visits of the home of a person or family requesting assistance to determine how the society can improve the situation. Usually the greatest needs of people have are help with food, and monetary assistance with utilities, rent and mortgage payments. The Vincentians also serve as advocates in their work in caring for the poor.

In the Trenton Diocese, the first St. Vincent de Paul conference was formed in 1859 in St. John the Baptist Parish, Trenton, which is now Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton.

Throughout the world, there are 700,000 men and women serving in St. Vincent de Paul Societies in 144 countries. In the Trenton Diocese, there are currently 52 conferences with members who share in the St. Vincent de Paul Society ministry of serving the poor and needy.