What work does the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul do?
Our goal is to fight poverty in all its forms through practical assistance to people in need. We offer direct, personal assistance that is non-judgemental and based on the need of the individual or family.
SVP are involved in a diverse range of activities which are characterised by three pillars:
• Support & Friendship
• Promoting Self Sufficiency
• Working for Social Justice
You can find the SVP Mission Statement here
What is the aim/mission of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul?
In Ireland SVP receives an average of 2,300 requests for help every week. We help over 120,000 households every year.
The range of activities SVP are currently involved in includes:
• Visits to people-in homes, hospitals and prisons
• Accommodation-hostels and housing
• Family Resource Centres
• Shops
• Holiday Centres
• Preschools and Crèches
• Education Programmes and Supports
• Social Justice Campaigns
• School Conferences and Groups
• Social Action Projects
• Youth Development Programme
• Twinning
If you would like more information about the work of the Society click here
Who founded the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and why?
The Society of St Vincent de Paul was started by a group of young people in Paris in
1833.
The principal founder was Blessed Frederic Ozanam, who was a 20 year old student when the first Conference of SVP was established (Conference is the name for a group within SVP).
Frederic and his friends engaged regularly in debate and discussion about inequality, social justice/injustice and their Christianity.
During one of these debates they were challenged to put their faith into action to help the poor of Paris.
Following this the first Conference was started. The group met regularly and distributed food and fuel to the people of Paris. They were guided by Sister Rosalie Rendu, a Daughter of Charity.
What inspired Frederic Ozanam to found the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul?
Frederic Ozanam and his friends founded SVP to put their Christian faith into action by reaching out to those that society over looked.
Their vision was to affirm the dignity of every person and ensure that those in greatest need were cared for, their conditions improved and the causes of poverty addressed.
As SVP developed the members chose St Vincent de Paul as their Patron. They chose St Vincent because he dedicated himself to God through caring for those who were suffering from the effects of poverty and hardship. He believed that to serve those in need was to serve Jesus.
Why do people volunteer with the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul?
Frederic Ozanam’s inspiring vision lives on today through the work of the members of SVP. Members of the Society come from all walks of life, giving or their time, their talents and themselves to serve people in need and work for social justice.
Many are responding to the Vincentian spirituality of Christian love, compassion and justice. Others are drawn to social action and the creation of a more just society.
All are united by a vision of social justice which Frederic Ozanam described as “a fixed star which human societies try to follow from their uncertain orbits. It can be seen from different points of view, but justice itself remains unchanged”.