St. Vincent de Paul, the patron saint of charitable societies, is recognized for his charity and compassion for the poor.

St. Vincent de Paul Society conferences are associated with many Catholic churches in Michigan, across the the United States, and abroad. Like the Good Samaritan, we’re ready to help anyone regardless of religion, age, or background.

Each conference is a network of lay Catholics and friends who are inspired by Gospel values in service to people in need who reside in our local communities. 

Our History
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is one of many Vincentian organizations, both lay and religious, whose members throughout the world are inspired by the spirituality of St. Vincent de Paul.

The Vincentian Family marks its beginning in 1617, when St. Vincent de Paul, inspired by receiving the confession of a poor farmer, founded the Congregation of the Mission. That same year he would found the first Confraternity of Charity, and just a few years later, along with St. Louise de Marillac, the Daughters of Charity.

For more than 400 years, members of the Vincentian Family have dedicated themselves to serving Christ in the person of His poor, and to loving God, in Vincent’s words, “with the strength of our arms and the sweat of our brows.”

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, with over 850,000 members in 150 countries worldwide, was founded by Blessed Frédéric Ozanam in Paris in 1833. 

St. Vincent de Paul Society conferences are located throughout the United Stated and around the world.  Learn more by viewing our Faith in Action: Today's Society of St. Vincent de Paul Video.