History of the Society

"Show us your works that we might believe you!"

The St. Vincent de Paul Society has its origins in Paris, France. There, in 1833, a 19 year-old Sorbonne student, Frédéric Ozanam met regularly with fellow Catholic students to discuss and debate the issues of the day with a group they called the "Conference of History." At one of their public meetings, which attracted large numbers of University of Paris students, Frederic was challenged to give examples of how the Church exhibited compassion to the poor and was not just a group of privileged clergy who preached kindness to the needy but never displayed it. Unable to respond, Frederic and his friends conceded.

Shortly afterwards, Frédéric drew six friends together and inspired them to come together as the "Conference of Charity" with the purpose of serving the poor of Paris. Frédéric impressed upon the conference members the need and importance to offer and display kindness, respect and compassion to the people they visited. In his view, this was as important as the food or clothing they brought with them.

Frédéric chose as patron of the Conference, the 16th century cleric St. Vincent de Paul, known as the Apostle of Charity. Subsequently, the Conference of Charity was transformed into the "St. Vincent de Paul Society."

As the Society grew and spread, the volunteer-member groups formed in parishes became officially known as Society "conferences."

"No act of charity is foreign to the Society."

The primary goal of the society is to relieve suffering. The Society strives to meet whatever needs families or individuals may have - be it assistance with rent, housing, medical bills, food, even providing the means to properly lay a family member to rest. Today, just as in Frédéric’s day, visiting the homes of those in need remains an integral part of the Society’s workings. These visits allow Society volunteers to understand clients’ circumstances first hand and aid in determining the most appropriate ways to address their needs. In the event the Society is unable to provide assistance, clients often express their thanks for someone showing a genuine personal interest in their lives, listening and providing emotional, if not material support, and they are referred to organizations who can help them.

"Changing lives, one at a time, in the San Antonio Archdiocese Area"

• The St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room - In downtown San Antonio served 278,525 meals in 2006. This Dining Room serves three meals a day Monday through Saturday and two meals a day on Sunday, 365 days a year free of charge.

• Operation Food Pantry - Our 73 food pantries distributed 13,040 units of food in the San Antonio area in 2006.  This amount of units fed approximately 52,128 persons a total of 625,536 meals last year.  This is an increase of 4% over 2005.

• The Council Office - Conferences in the San Antonio Archdiocese are linked together by the San Antonio Central Council Office that serves as a resource center and support system. The Central Council Office operates the Dining Room for the less fortunate and the homeless in downtown San Antonio. It also warehouses the food items distributed through the Food Pantries.  The San Antonio Council Office, in turn, is linked to both the U.S. National and International  Council Offices. This relationship allows Vincentians to respond to chronic and transitory needs worldwide.