The Society of St. Vincent de Paul St. Gregory Conference is dedicated to providing essential support to individuals and families in need within our community.
Through our mission, we aim to uplift and empower those facing hardships.
St. Vincent de Paul: A Life Devoted to Charity
St. Vincent de Paul (1581–1660) is widely revered as the patron saint of charitable works. His life was marked by an extraordinary commitment to the poor, the sick, and the forgotten members of society. Believing that true faith must be expressed through action, he organized widespread efforts to feed the hungry, care for orphans, and support those suffering in prisons and hospitals.
He founded the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) to bring the Gospel to rural communities and improve clergy education, and later co-founded the Daughters of Charity, one of the first religious communities of women dedicated to hands-on service outside the convent. His legacy of compassion lives on through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a global organization continuing his mission of person-to-person service for those in need.
St. Vincent’s work remains a powerful reminder that charity is not just a virtue, but a calling - one that continues to inspire individuals and communities around the world.
Blessed Frédéric Ozanam: Champion of Faith in Action
On April 23, 1833, his twentieth birthday, a young law student named Frédéric Ozanam stood in a classroom at the Sorbonne in Paris when a fellow student challenged him with a simple but piercing question: "What is your Church doing for the poor?" Rather than debate, Ozanam chose to respond with action. He gathered a small group of friends who shared his Catholic faith and concern for the suffering, and together they began visiting the poor in their homes, offering practical assistance and personal compassion.
This small group soon became the first Conference of Charity, rooted in the example of St. Vincent de Paul. Their mission was clear: serve the poor with humility, dignity, and personal involvement. They later renamed themselves the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and their efforts grew rapidly as others were inspired to join. One of their first acts of service was delivering firewood to a widow in need - a simple gesture that embodied their belief in faith lived out through action.
Frédéric Ozanam believed that charity should be a personal encounter, not a distant or institutional task. He wanted every member of the Society to see the face of Christ in those they served. His vision combined deep intellectual conviction with genuine love for the poor, sparking a movement that continues to thrive in communities across the world today.
The Origins of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul