Mission
To live the Gospel message by serving Christ in the poor
with love, respect, justice and joy.
Value
- See Christ in anyone who suffers;
- Come together as a family;
- Have personal contact with the poor;
- Help in all possible ways.
Logo
- Fish – symbol of Christianity and here, represents SSVP.
- Eye of the fish- vigilant eye of God seeking to help the poor in our midst.
- Crossing at the tail – unity and oneness among members and union with the poor.
- Circle bounding the logo signifies the global stature of the SSVP.
- The words “serviens in spe” mean “to serve in hope”, the hope that comes from Our Lord Jesus Christ.
SSVP as an Organization
Blessed Fredrick Ozanam and his friends founded SSVP in 1833 in Paris, France. St Vincent De Paul was chosen as the Patron. Sr Rosalie Rendu is our patroness for Canada.
The Society has been present in Canada since 1846 and today,
we have close to 800 conferences throughout the country.
Conference Goals
- Conduct Local Activities
- Encourage Spiritual Growth
- Regular Review of Procedures
- Recruitment and Succession Planning
- Presidential and Executive Renewal
Members of a Conference
- Live our faith and act on our values
- Make a difference
- Help the best ways we can
Forming a Conference in The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
Member and Home Visitor
My Journey with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul
“Sixteen years ago, I entered the Catholic Church, and it was a life-changing step. Like many people, my faith journey hasn’t always been smooth—there have been ups and downs, moments of doubt, and times when life just felt overwhelming. But through it all, being a Vincentian has kept me grounded and focused on Christ.
Being part of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul has helped me stay centered. The service we do, the prayerful spirit of our meetings, and the shared mission to serve Christ in the poor—it’s all reminded me of what matters in life and faith. Even when I’ve struggled, the people in my Conference have gently brought me back to Christ. And honestly, my fellow Vincentians have become like family. They’re people I lean on and trust, people who encourage me, pray with me, and help me stay focused. We’re not just doing good work together; we’re growing together in faith, little by little, day by day.I’m truly grateful to be walking this path. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has helped me not only stay focused in my faith but grow stronger in it, rooted more deeply in Christ’s love.”
— Vincentian