St.Vincent de Paul Society Kottayam Central Council
- Next CC meeting on 14- December -2024 (Saturday) 10:30 AM @ Chaithanya Pastoral Center,Thellakom.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an international Christian lay voluntary organization dedicated to tackling poverty and disadvantage by providing practical assistance to those in need – irrespective of ideology, faith, ethnicity, age or gender. The vision of SSVP is to be a global catholic charity organization providing aid, development and hope to the poor and the marginalized.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded in 1833 to help impoverished people living in the slums of Paris, France. Blessed Frederic Ozanam, the founder of the Society was a French lawyer, author, and professor in the Sorbonne. He was only 20 years old when he founded the society. Frederic Ozanam was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1997.
The Society took the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Vincent de Paul as its patrons under the influence of Sister Rosalie Rendu who guided Frederic and his companions in their approach towards those in need. She was beatified in November 2003 by Pope John Paul II. The Society is an accredited UN NGO and has presence in New York, Geneva and UNESCO in Paris.
"I would like to embrace the whole world in a network of charity"
Frederic Ozanam (Founder)
Structure of the Society
The Conference:
St.Vincent de Paul members do their work in small groups of prayer and action called Conferences, and they are also known as Vincentian members. These are basic units functioning at Parish level with the Parish Priest as its Spiritual Advisor. Home visit is the traditional work of the Vincentian, which defines us most clearly, and is the core of our social action. It means going to meet the people we help, whether in their own homes or any other place where they live. It allows us to establish a link between equals, person to person. Non-judgemental listening, respect and support for others, are the most effective channels for rebuilding dignity and hope.
What we do
- We Support families with direct help, giving food, clothing, household goods, personal support with various programmes of social and employment guidance to improve future prospects.
- We Support Children’s Education.
- We support older people by relieve loneliness or deprivation caused by lack of family and friends.It is important for us to create bonds of affection which provide them with the friendship and intimacy they need so much.
- We support Homeless people to build home.
- We support people who are sick by providing medicines, medical equipment’s and guidance.
Area Council:
The Area Councils encompass Conferences in nearby areas grouped together for co-ordination, interaction, and unity.
Central Council (Kottayam):
Area Councils are grouped together at Diocesan level to form Central Councils which guide and co-ordinate all activities of Area Councils and Conferences under them.
The National Council of India:
Head-quartered at Mumbai it animates and co-ordinates all activities of the Society in India. It also represents the Society at the International Federation and other Overseas Councils, THE HEIRARCHY and CBCI, Civil Authorities and general public etc.
How to become a Helping Member
Helping members are an essential part of the Society. Through their work, commitment and hope, we can undertake many forms of social action which benefit lots of people. This opportunity will allow you to be a Helping member wherever you are in the world.
Each of us has something special to contribute. The Society has a very broad framework of action, in which you are sure to find something to suit you, and where your contribution will be valuable.
How to make donations
You can send your donations to Kottayam Central Council or a specific conferences.
The Society provides donors with any supporting documentation or evidence of payment required, and gives you the option of being personally involved.
For more details