Founder of the St Vincent de Paul Society, Bl Frederic Ozanam
Blessed Frederic Ozanam
Date of birth: 23 April 1813
Place of birth: Milan, Italy
Died: 8 September 1853
Beatified: 22 August 1997
Feast Day: 9 September
Paris of the early 19th century was in the grip of great upheavals. During and following the French revolution 1788-1799, Paris was profoundly affected by social unrest. A new type of society was being formed - a republic based on liberty, equality and fraternity.
The 1830s brought the collapse of the old Bourbon monarchy which had dreams of strengthening the throne with the support from the Church. Religion was on the decline and atheism increasing; scepticism was virtually triumphant in the teachings of Saint Simon.
Large numbers of the country people were moving to the cities to find work in the factories. Many arrived to discover that there was no work, little pay or that the factories were closed due to revolution.
In 1832 an epidemic of cholera swept through Paris killing up to 1200 people each day. Large slums areas were forming in Paris; thousands of people lived without work, some without clothes, and many alcoholic. Homelessness, disease, and starvation were common.
A young student, Frederic Ozanam had to walk through the poorer suburbs on his way to university lectures each day and he soon became deeply moved at the hopeless state of families who had been left without the support of their breadwinners after the epidemic.
It was the taunt of an anti-religious opponent in a debating society founded by the students that stung him to action:
"You are right Ozanam when you speak of the past! In former times Christianity worked wonders, but what is it doing for mankind now? And you, who pride yourself on your Catholicity, what are you doing now for the poor? Show us your works"
Frederic Ozanam gathered a few friends around him and on 23 April 1833, they met to decide what they could do to assist the poor. After the meeting Frederic and his flat mate took the remainder of their winter wood supply and gave it to a widow. These young men attracted the comment "What can seven young men hope to achieve in alleviating the suffering of Paris?" Fortunately Ozanam paid little heed to their comments, determined to satisfy his own conscience that he was doing what he could to bear witness to his Christian upbringing by assisting those less fortunate in the community.
The small group decided to adopt the name The Society of St Vincent de Paul after the Patron Saint of Christian charity. They sought the advice of Sister Rosalie Rendu, a Daughter of Charity who was visiting poor families in one of the poorer districts. Sr Rendu introduced the young men to people they could assist. They agreed to meet weekly to strengthen their friendship and to respond to the needs of those they served.
It was not long after that other good citizens of Paris took note of the charitable works of the students. Within a year membership had expanded to 100 and it became necessary to split the conference (group) into three separate conferences. At the same time other conferences sprang up in Parishes around Paris. In its first decade the Society spread to 48 other cities in France and Italy and numbered over 9,000 members. After some years the Society reached Rome (1842), England (1844), Belgium, Scotland, Ireland (1845), the United States of America (1846) and Australia on 5 March 1854.
Until 1963 women were organised separately throughout the world as the 'Womans Society of St. Vincent de Paul', with headquarters in Bologna, Italy. It was founded in 1856 to render charitable aid to the afflicted in matters which men could not handle such as the care of widows, orphan girls and mothers with small families. After a trial period the women's Society was amalgamated with the men's Society in 1967. Internationally the Society now admits both men and women with equal responsibility.
===
Our story
The St Vincent de Paul Society was founded by a 20 year old student named Frederic Ozanam in 1833. It was established by like minded individuals who wished to put their faith into action.
This compassionate outlook, enthusiasm and vision continues today in Australia. There are thousands of people who every day share their time, care for humanity and energy to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged people all around Australia.
The Society in Australia
The first Australian conference was founded in Victoria by Fr Gerald Ward at St Francis' Church, Melbourne on 5 March 1854, just 21 years after the founding of the first conference in Paris. Click on a link to find out more about Vinnies in your state or territory.
ACT NSW NT QLD SA TAS VIC WA
The meaning of social justice for the St Vincent de Paul Society
When we speak about social justice we go to the heart of what the St Vincent de Paul Society stands for.
We are called, as Vincentians, to feed, clothe, house and assist our brothers and sisters who are forced onto the margins of society.
We are also called to ask why they are left out and pushed out?
We follow the teachings of the Scriptures:
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
protect the rights of those who are helpless.
Speak out and pronounce a sentence of justice,
defend the cause of the wretched and the poor.”
(Proverbs 31:8-9)
In assisting people who are denied equality and dignity we make a prophetic statement about the dignity and equality of all people in God’s sight.
In asking the simple question about the causes of injustice we issue a prophetic call to all people of good will to work creatively to build equality and justice into our society.
Especially through our national and state councils we give voice to those who are voiceless, standing with them and advocating for them.
As Vincentians we do not close our eyes to the growing division in Australia and the world between the increasingly prosperous and the increasingly poor.
The accumulation of wealth on the one hand is connected with the accumulation of poverty on the other, characterised by oppression on the basis of class, race, gender, age, disability, and mental and physical illness; forced migration, homelessness, unemployment, insecure and poorly paid work; and declining levels of social security and public infrastructure.
We seek to share both bread and hope with our brothers and sisters, recognising Christ in their painful stories and witnessing to the Good News of justice and compassion.
.jpg)
They entrust a little of their lives to us. We honour this trust by speaking the truth of their stories and calling on the people of our nation to address the structural causes of poverty and inequality.
For more information, read our National Social Justice and Advocacy Committee Policy Statement
Our story
The St Vincent de Paul Society was founded by a 20 year old student named Frederic Ozanam in 1833. It was established by like minded individuals who wished to put their faith into action.
This compassionate outlook, enthusiasm and vision continues today in Australia. There are thousands of people who every day share their time, care for humanity and energy to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged people all around Australia.
The Society in Australia
The first Australian conference was founded in Victoria by Fr Gerald Ward at St Francis' Church, Melbourne on 5 March 1854, just 21 years after the founding of the first conference in Paris. Click on a link to find out more about Vinnies in your state or territory.
ACT NSW NT QLD SA TAS VIC WA
The meaning of social justice for the St Vincent de Paul Society
When we speak about social justice we go to the heart of what the St Vincent de Paul Society stands for.
We are called, as Vincentians, to feed, clothe, house and assist our brothers and sisters who are forced onto the margins of society.
We are also called to ask why they are left out and pushed out?
We follow the teachings of the Scriptures:
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
protect the rights of those who are helpless.
Speak out and pronounce a sentence of justice,
defend the cause of the wretched and the poor.”
(Proverbs 31:8-9)
In assisting people who are denied equality and dignity we make a prophetic statement about the dignity and equality of all people in God’s sight.
In asking the simple question about the causes of injustice we issue a prophetic call to all people of good will to work creatively to build equality and justice into our society.
Especially through our national and state councils we give voice to those who are voiceless, standing with them and advocating for them.
As Vincentians we do not close our eyes to the growing division in Australia and the world between the increasingly prosperous and the increasingly poor.
The accumulation of wealth on the one hand is connected with the accumulation of poverty on the other, characterised by oppression on the basis of class, race, gender, age, disability, and mental and physical illness; forced migration, homelessness, unemployment, insecure and poorly paid work; and declining levels of social security and public infrastructure.
We seek to share both bread and hope with our brothers and sisters, recognising Christ in their painful stories and witnessing to the Good News of justice and compassion.
They entrust a little of their lives to us. We honour this trust by speaking the truth of their stories and calling on the people of our nation to address the structural causes of poverty and inequality.
For more information, read our National Social Justice and Advocacy Committee Policy Statement
