Society of St. Vincent de Paul

MISSION STATEMENT

Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization, leads men and women to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and patron, St. Vincent de Paul.

CORE VALUES

  • The dignity of the human person
  • Identification of Jesus with the poor (suffering)
  • The preferential option of the poor
  • Jesus is the Evangelizer and Servant of the poor
  • Growth in intimacy with Jesus is a life-long process
  • Poverty of spirit is the primary beatitude
  • The Society is concerned with charity and justice
  • Prayer s essential: personal and corporate
  • The virtue of humility: personal and corporate
  • Divine Providence
  • Friendship
  • Solidarity
  • Community
  • Simplicity

OPERATION

Vincentians bring the Love and Peace of Christ to those who are suffering.  The Society is not a material ministry.

Suffering includes those who are poor, homeless, hungry, naked, unwanted, unloved, depressed, sick, addicts, prisoners, confined, hospitalized, in short all those in need.

It's purpose:
           Spirituality
           Fellowship
           Service to the suffering
           Help others to serve
The work of the Society is an adjunct not the primary assistance. It assists to the extent that time and resources permit.

ACTION

Visitations are made in pairs for discretion, safety and emulating Jesus sending out the apostles.

Visits initiated by:
          Calls to the parish
          Referrals from other agencies
          Contacts by parishioners
          Law enforcement agencies
          Prison personnel
          Bishops Attic
Situation appraised
         Action on the spot if appropriate and with prior approval
         Refereed to Conference for action
Continued visits
          Review progress
          Additional or changed assistance
Final review and report

From Apostle in a Top Hat by James Patrick Derum

"Wherever established, the Society works to relieve poverty while studying how to remedy conditions which cause it.  To this end it collaborates with peoples of all races and faiths who uphold the dignity of man.  For the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is simply men and women trying to live more fully the great commandment to love and to help all men, of all nationalities, classes and faiths, particularly those who need help most.

In Obedience to this teaching, Vincentians act with unfailing respect for all they serve, regarding them as their brothers and sisters united, explicitly or implicitly, in the fellowship of Christ."

Mother Teresa of Calcutta said:

"We need pure eyes to see Jesus in the distressing disguise of the poor, the suffering, unwanted, unloved. These people society has discarded as useless - They are Jesus"


 

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