Heritage
Just as we are enriched by the stories of our own ancestors, we are enriched by the study of the many Vincentians who went before us. Like the little brother who learns to swing a bat by watching his older brother, we seek to imitate the lives of our saints and blessed just as they imitated Christ.
The Vincentian Family
The Vincentian Family began when St Vincent de Paul founded the first Confraternity of Chairty in 1617. Today, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is one of hundreds of organizations worldwide that continue the work and charism of St. Vincent de Paul, including:
- Congregation of the Mission was officially founded by St. Vincent in 1625, but dates its birth to the homily he gave at Folleville on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul in 1617. Today, there are some 4,000 missionaries (priests and brothers) serving in 80 countries throughout the world.
- Ladies of Charity, founded by St. Vincent as the Confraternities of Charity in 1617, is an organization of lay women dedicated to serving the poor. Globally, they are organized as the International Association of Charity (AIC) with over 250,000 members.
- Daughters of Charity, founded by St. Louise de Marillac and St. Vincent de Paul in 1633, their motto is: “The charity of Jesus crucified impels us.” Currently there are approximately 17,000 Daughters serving in 90 countries around the world.
- Sisters of Charity, founded by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmittburg, Maryland in 1809. Overall, the Sisters of Charity Federation counts some 4,000 members in North America.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul, with over 850,000 members in 150 countries worldwide, was founded by Blessed Frédéric Ozanam in Paris in 1833. (Link: History of the Society)
Our History and Founders
Read about the history of the Society in the USA: A Medallion in the Mosaic of Vincentian Works
Watch: The History of the Society in the United States
The Manual contains much information about our heritage, history, and past Vincentian leaders and saints.
Video Library