Our Founder
Ozanam studied and later taught at the Sorbonne in this French city.
What is Paris, France?
A fellow student challenged Ozanam to show what Catholics were doing to help these people.
Who are people living in poverty?
The Society is named for this saint, known for his dedication to people in poverty.
Who is St. Vincent de Paul?
The first American Conference began in this Missouri city.
What is St. Louis?
Members of the Society are commonly known by this name.
Who are Vincentians?
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded in this year.
What is 1833?
Ozanam helped found the Society when he was this age: 17, 20, or 35.
What is 20?
St. Vincent de Paul lived in this country, where the Society would later be founded.
What is France?
The Society arrived in the United States in this year, twelve years after its founding.
What is 1845?
This is the name for a local group of Vincentians who gather for prayer, friendship, and service.
What is a Conference?
This young French college student joined with his friends to establish the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
Who was Blessed Frédéric Ozanam?
This major event shaped the society of France that Ozanam lived in.
What is the French Revolution?
Rosalie Rendu belonged to this religious community devoted to serving people in need.
Who are the Daughters of Charity?
The first U.S. Conference began at the Basilica of St. Louis, King of France, popularly known by this nickname.
What is the Old Cathedral?
This traditional practice brings Vincentians into neighbors’ homes to listen and offer support.
What is a home visit?
In addition to serving people in poverty, Ozanam held this position at the Sorbonne.
What is a professor?
The founders responded to the challenge by putting this into action through service.
What is their faith?
Alongside St. Vincent de Paul, this saint helped establish the Daughters of Charity.
Who is St. Louise de Marillac?
Father John Timon helped bring the Society to America by carrying copies of this document, which guides Vincentian life and service.
What is the Rule?
Along with friendship and service, this is one of the Society’s three essential elements.
What is spirituality?
This pope beatified Frédéric Ozanam in 1997.
Who is St. John Paul II?
This older mentor guided the founding students and became the Society’s first president.
Who is Emmanuel Bailly?
Before guiding Ozanam and his friends, this Daughter of Charity was already serving people in Paris’s poorest neighborhoods.
Who is Blessed Rosalie Rendu?
Ozanam and his friends originally gave their new group this name, emphasizing its purpose of helping people in need.
What is the Conference of Charity?
Ozanam and his friends were ordinary Catholics rather than ordained clergy. The Society continues today as an organization led by these members of the Church.
Who are the laity?