St Vincent Thrift Store

St Vincent Thrift Store


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The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an international organization made up of Roman Catholic lay men and women,whose primary missionis to see the face of Christ in the poor.

The Society of St. Vincent de was founded in 1833 by a 20-year-old French law student at the Sorbonne in Paris. A fellow classmate challenged Frédéric Ozanam, questioning his Catholic faith and his personal works for the poor. Ozanam summoned Sister Rosalie Rendu, a Daughter of Charity. She taught him the art of seeing the face of Christ in the poor and the sick. Ozanam established the first St. Vincent de Paul “Conference” shortly after.

Ozanam was born in Milan in 1813. His family consisted of his devout Catholic parents, an older sister Elisa, brother Alphonse, who became a priest, and brother Charles, who followed his father’s profession as a doctor. Ozanam’s father was known to have treated countless poor patients, without charge and his mother also was known for her charitable acts. Ozanam died September 8, 1853, at the age of 40. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1997.

St Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent de Paul

  • Founders of the Vincentians
  • The Apostle of Charity
  • Patron Saint of Charitable Societies
Bl. Frederick Ozanam

Bl. Frédéric Ozanam

  • Founded SVdP in mid 1800's as a student at the Sorbonne
  • Professor and servant of the poor
St. Louise de Marillac

St. Louise de Marillac

  • Inspired by the good works of St. Vincent de Paul
  • Founder of the Daughters of Charity in early 1600.
St. Rosalie Rendu

St. Rosalie Rendu

  • A Daughter of Charity who served in the most impoverished area of Paris
  • Guided Frederick Ozanam in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul

His Legacy Continues

Frederick Ozanam"God gave me the grace to be born in the Faith. Later the confusion of an unbelieving world surrounds me. I know all the horror of the doubts that torment the soul. It was then that the instructions of a priest and philosopher (Abbé Noirot) saved me. I believed thenceforth with an assured faith, and touched by so rare a goodness. I promised God to devote my life to the services of the truth which had given me peace."

Blessed Frédéric Ozanam
(April 23, 1813 - September 8, 1853)