The Society Celebrates 192 Years
On Frédéric Ozanam’s 20th birthday, he and five other students met in the offices of their older mentor where they founded the first Conference of Charity, declaring: “Let us go to the poor!” Members of this Catholic lay organization sought to grow in holiness by loving service to those in need.
Ozanam’s founding steps and St. Vincent de Paul’s legacy of charity and justice still flourish today in all Vincentians. Now known collectively as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, thousands of Conferences around the world continue the work and mission that began in Paris 192 years ago, on April 23, 1833.
