Feast Days of the Society

St. Elizabeth Ann (Bayley) Seton was raised in the Episcopalian faith and converted to the Catholic faith on March 14, 1805. She dedicated her life to works of charity and education, founding the community of the Sisters of Charity in 1809. Part of her community was united with the Daughters of Charity in Paris in 1850, and the others remained the Sisters of Charity in the United States. Elizabeth Seton was canonized as the first American saint in 1975.

Blessed Rosalie Rendu entered the Daughters of Charity on May 25, 1802, just after the Community was reestablished in France following the French Revolution. Her zeal for helping the poor drove her to educate poor children, care for infants, support the elderly, and supervise young working girls. One disciple in her mission of service was Frédéric Ozanam, founder of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Pope John Paul II beatified Sister Rosalie in 2003.

April 30

Ozanam Sunday

The last Sunday in April, this celebration is particular to the Society of St Vincent de Paul, commemorating the Society’s founding on April 23, Ozanam’s birth, also on April 23, and Vincent’s birth on April 24.

May 9

Feast Day of St. Louise de Marillac

St. Vincent de Paul was her spiritual director, and, under his guidance, she became active in caring for the poor and in visiting the Confraternities of Charity. With Vincent, Louise cofounded the Daughters of Charity on November 29, 1633. In 1960, Pope John XXIII proclaimed her the patron saint of all Christian social workers.

June 7

Feast of the Sacred Heart

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has been solemnly consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus since February 5, 1872. An Act of Consecration was drawn up at the request of the Society in 1872, and this act of consecration is renewed annually by all units of the Society.

September 9

Feast Day of the Blessed Frédéric Ozanam

Frédéric and six companions founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul on April 23, 1833. Pope John Paul II beatified Frédéric Ozanam in Paris on August 22, 1997.

September 27

Feast Day of St. Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent de Paul devoted himself entirely to the alleviation of the suffering of the poor. To that cause, he established the Confraternities of Charity, later known as the Ladies of Charity, in 1617. In 1625, he founded the Congregation of the Mission, his community of priests and brothers. With Louise de Marillac, he co-founded the Daughters of Charity in 1633. Pope Leo XIII declared him the patron saint of all works of charity.

November 27

Feast of the Miraculous Medal

The medal of the Immaculate Conception was manifested to Sister Catherine Laboure in the Motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity in Paris, France on November 27, 1830.

November 28

Feast Day of St. Catherine Laboure

St. Catherine Laboure entered the Daughters of Charity on April 21, 1830. While still a novice, the Virgin Mary appeared to Catherine and asked her to have a medal struck in her honor. Because of the many miracles that resulted from devotion to it, it became known as the “Miraculous Medal.” Catherine Laboure was canonized in 1947 and is known as the patroness of seniors.

December 8

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Blessed Frédéric Ozanam had a great devotion to Mary and declared Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception the patroness of the Society.