The St. Vincent de Paul Society, the world’s largest lay Catholic organization, aspires to live the Gospel message by serving Christ in the poor with love, respect, justice, hope, and joy, and by working to shape a more just and compassionate society.
We seek to grow in holiness through the theological virtue of charity. The theological virtues (faith, hope, and charity) are pure gifts from God, infused directly into our souls from Baptism. Once we receive them, we can grow in these virtues through our actions. Thus, our Catholic faith inspires us to action, sustains our commitment, and challenges us to become more like Christ.
Our Society’s founding activity, still practiced today, is the Home Visit. Through these visits, Vincentians establish personal relationships with our neighbors in need, not only providing material assistance such as rent, utilities, food, or clothing, but also offering friendship, understanding, and prayer. With each interaction, we work to inspire hope.
Spirituality, friendship, and service are the essential elements of the Society. Additionally, Vincentians strive to model simplicity, humility, gentleness, selflessness, and zeal—all virtues of our patron, Saint Vincent de Paul.
The mission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is “a network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships with, and service to, people in need.”