Our History
On November 20, 1845 a group of the most prominent people of St Louis society convened the first official meeting of the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVdP). Here, they struck a spark, beginning a ministry to the poor that continues to work to this day.
It all started when Frédéric Ozanam founded the SVdP in Paris, France in 1833. Shortly afterward, John Timon, C.M., an American Vincentian priest, learned about the good works of the Ozanam group and managed to bring a translated copy of the Society’s Rule to St Louis, Missouri. Reverend Timon staunchly advocated the virtues of the Society to his Bishop, Peter Kernrick. The Bishop astutely recognized that the SVdP was just the ticket for both the promotion of faith and in the satisfaction of the spiritual and material needs of the poor in his congregation. He appointed the Reverend Ambrose Heim, already known as the Priest of the Poor, Spiritual Advisor to this first Conference (chapter), which met at the Old Cathedral.
Founders
Blessed Frédéric Ozanam (1813 – 1853)
Son of a physician, Frédéric was the fifth of 14 children, and one of only three to survive to adulthood. Frédéric Ozanam is remembered as the primary founder of the Society. A brilliant scholar who was fluent in six languages, Ozanam had earned two bachelor’s degrees and two doctorates by the age of 26. He was the natural leader of the seven who founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul on Frédéric’s 20th birthday, and an outspoken advocate for the poor whose writings greatly influenced the church’s social teaching. Married, and the father of one daughter, he spent most of his adult life as a professor at the Sorbonne. Frédéric died at the age of 40, and was beatified in 1997 by Pope St John Paul II.
St. Louise de Marillac (1591 – 1660)
A contemporary of St. Vincent, was inspired and directed by Vincent’s spiritual leadership. She was Vincent’s collaborator in founding the Daughters of Charity and organizing hospitals for the sick poor, asylums for the orphaned, workshops for the unemployed, championing literacy for the uneducated, and establishing standards for local charities. Louise was a wife, mother, teacher, nurse, social worker and religious foundress.
Blessed Rosalie Rendu, DC (1786 – 1856)
She was a Daughter of Charity who served for 54 years in the Mouffetard area, the most impoverished district of Paris. Sr. Rosalie is recognized as a co-founder of the Society of St Vincent de Paul. Sr. Rosalie always recommended patience, mercy and courtesy. Emmanuel Bailly, the President of the Society, sent the founding members of the Society to Sister Rosalie for guidance and direction. Sending them on home visits, she formed them in the spirit of St. Vincent, teaching them how to serve the poor with respect and compassion.
St. Vincent de Paul (1581-1660)
Founder of the Congregation of the Mission, Daughters of Charity, Confraternities of Charity, and Ladies of Charity. A man of deep faith, keen intellect, and enormous creativity, he has become known as the “The Apostle of Charity” and “Father of the Poor.” His contributions to the training of priests and organizing parish missions and other services for the poor shaped our Church’s role in the modern world.
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