Sunday, January 27, 2008

About the Society


The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) is an international and national Catholic organization of lay people with a local tie to West Sacramento through Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church Conference, which is based in and sustained by the parish.

Through community, prayer and person-to-person service, “Vincentians” worldwide seek to meet Christ in serving the needs of the poor and others in need.

The conference (the common designation of the SVDP organization at the parish level) is part of a network of conferences in the Diocese of Sacramento. We are also part of a national network with U.S. headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, and an international network with headquarters in Paris, France.

The OLG Conference welcomes the participation of as many Vincentians as possible, whether you are brand new or you have belonged to another conference in the past.

The Society, originally the Conference of Charity, was founded in 1833 in Paris, France, by principal founder, Blessed Frederick Ozanam. Fr. Ozanam was guided by Blessed Sister Rosalie Rendu, of the Daughters of Charity, founded by St. Vincent de Paul.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is part of the Vincentian Family, which includes, among others, the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentian priests and brothers, founded by St. Vincent de Paul), the Daughters of Charity, the Ladies of Charity (an organization of lay women who help the poor, also founded by St. Vincent de Paul), Sisters of Charity in the Setonian tradition (founded by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton), the Vincentian Service Corp, and others.

Worldwide, the SVDP numbers about 950,000 in some 130 countries, whose members operate through "conferences," the basic organizational unit, which is composed of Catholic volunteers who dedicate their time and resources to help those in need in their community. Non-Catholics may join with the understanding that the Society is a Catholic lay organization.

PHOTO ALBUM (below)

Please scroll down this page to view our photo album or find more pictures on our facebook page.

Walk for the Poor 2013

Walk for the Poor 2013

Homeless Strategies Workshop

Homeless Strategies Workshop

Feeding the Hungry

Feeding the Hungry

Walk for the Poor 2012

Walk for the Poor 2012

Homeless Ministry

Homeless Ministry
Our New Banner

Bundle Sunday Fall 2010

Bundle Sunday Fall 2010
Donations help the poor

Marian Retreat

Marian Retreat
Vincentians gather for a morning relecting on Marian devotion.

Hospitality Sunday 2010

Hospitality Sunday 2010
Vincentians thank the OLG parish for its genorosity.

Parish Festival 2010

Parish Festival 2010

Nat'l Vincentian Family Gathering 2010

Nat'l Vincentian Family Gathering 2010
Conference members attend via internet link up

West Coast Walk for Life 2010

West Coast Walk for Life 2010

Spirit of Giving

Spirit of Giving
A donation coin box symbolizes personal sacrifice

Hospitality Sunday

Hospitality Sunday
Donations support St. Vincent de Paul

Bundle Sunday

Bundle Sunday


Invitation to Service

Invitation to Service

Working in the Food Locker

Working in the Food Locker