St. Vincent de Paul Society

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded in 1833 by Frederic Ozanam, a 20-year-old student at the Sorbonne University in Paris. In answer to a challenge for Christians to practice what they preach, Frederic and a group of fellow students started to seek out and visit the poor of Paris in their homes, taking them bread and clothes. This small group took as their Patron the great French priest who alerted the world to social problems, St. Vincent de Paul. Similar groups eventually spread throughout the Christian world with the object of visiting those in need of the love of God.

Today, the Society is a worldwide lay organization of Catholic men and women, numbering 880,000. The members meet in parish and district groups to personally help those in need. The Society aims to bring social justice and the friendship of true charity to all those in need. Membership involves meeting twice a month at 6:30 p.m. at the home of one of the St. Vincent de Paul members. Please check with the volunteer in the gift shop for additional information. At the meeting, the helping contacts of each member are reported and discussed, necessary action is taken, and plans for any follow-up are agreed upon. Visits to the needy are usually done in the company of another member. Members contribute whatever they feel they can afford to share to finance the group. Prayers are said before and after the meeting to remind members that the motive for their work is the love of God. No special qualifications are required to join the Society. Collections for the support of the St. Vincent de Paul Society are held after all masses on the second weekend of each month.

“For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink…In truth, I tell you, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.”

Matthew 25:35-40

Prayer Blankets

God has used this beautiful ministry to touch the lives of countless people who have received blankets while enduring a difficult time.

These Prayer Blankets have comforted the suffering and brought peace to the fearful. The recipients know that they are not alone and that some care about them and are praying for them. This beautiful service for the Lord transforms these simple threads into an act of love as we ask the Lord’s blessing on the recipients. Prayer blankets are made by volunteers in our Parish and distributed by the St. Vincent de Paul Society. You may RSVP by contacting us at 904-388-7008 or emailing Stvdp.stmatthews@gmail.com.