Society of St. Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent teaches that serving the poor with love and humility, to the best of our ability, is more important than measurable outcomes, which are the typical standards of worldly success. Though our efforts may seem small or insufficient, they are meaningful when rooted in love, which never runs out and through which God acts.

Blessed Frédéric emphasized humility, simplicity, and religious motivation as essential to the Society’s mission, warning against pride, bureaucracy, and a focus on efficiency over spirit. He urged that all credit be given to God, encouraging service modeled on Christ and respect for other charitable efforts without comparison or competition.

Jesus’ repeated question to Peter—“Do you love me?”—is meant to awaken in us the truth that love for God is shown through action, especially toward the poor in whom Christ is truly present. Love of God and neighbor are inseparable, and we must answer Christ’s call not just with words, but with deeds.

True humility recognizes that all good comes from God, not from ourselves, and therefore we neither boast in success nor despair in failure, trusting instead in God’s will and timing. Our role is not to claim credit or control outcomes, but to serve with love, patience, and total confidence in Divine Providence.

Visiting the poor in pairs, following Christ’s advice, fosters mutual support, charity, and deeper understanding. This practice builds true Christian friendship, uniting Vincentians in spirit and service to the neighbor.

Blessed Frédéric Ozanam taught that the Society should be known by its humble actions, not by seeking recognition or reputation. True Vincentian service is a path of personal transformation, drawing closer to Christ through quiet, grace-filled service to the poor.

We are called to serve the poor not from a place of superiority, but from our own shared brokenness and need for God’s grace, just as Frédéric Ozanam recognized his human frailty. In embracing our brokenness, we become instruments of Christ—blessed, broken, and shared like the Eucharist—bringing hope, joy, and communion to a world in need.

Our vocation to serve the poor follows Christ’s example, who came to us before we ever sought Him. Like St. Vincent and Frédéric, we recognize God’s hand in every call to charity and strive to serve in humility and love.