The Vincentian motto “serving in hope” highlights a hope that goes beyond temporary wishes, grounded in faith and divine love. It encourages balancing the fulfillment of material needs with nurturing a profound spiritual hope, urging us to serve selflessly while maintaining detachment from worldly concerns.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA was ranked #59 on Forbes’ Top 100 Charities list, improving from #75, with 89% of its expenses directly supporting people in need. This recognition highlights the organization’s 150-year legacy of personalized service, which last year helped over 5 million people through programs like food pantries, shelters, and homelessness prevention initiatives.
NFL players Abraham Lucas, Jon Runyan, and Zach Tom highlighted the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) in the “My Cause My Cleats” campaign, showcasing their support for the organization’s mission to combat poverty and homelessness.
The Vincentian Congregation, founded in 1904 in India by Father Varkey Kattarath, is a religious community inspired by St. Vincent de Paul, dedicated to evangelization, service to the poor, and spiritual renewal, with a mission rooted in charity and global outreach.
Saint Agostina Pietrantoni devoted her life to serving the sick and ultimately became a martyr of charity. Her example of selfless service, sacrifice, and love led to her canonization by Pope John Paul II in 1999, becoming the patron saint of nurses.
Blessed Maria Carola Cecchin was a nun of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph Benedict Cottolengo. Her life was characterized by a deep dedication to charity and missionary service, especially among the poor and sick of Kenya.
Local Daughters of Charity in Mbandaka, Congo ensure prisoners receive nutrition, medications, toiletries, and spiritual care. The Sisters also provide ongoing education opportunities in languages (Lingala & French), math and religion.
The rule of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul discourages hoarding money, emphasizing that funds should be used generously for current needs without budgeting for the future, trusting in Providence to provide as needed. More important than financial aid, however, is offering companionship, empathy, and love to those in need, as true charity is not limited by material resources.
DePaul International has grown from its humble beginnings in 1989 to become a global leader in the fight against homelessness. Its work, inspired by the values of St. Vincent de Paul, continues to transform lives by offering not only shelter but also the opportunity for individuals to regain their dignity, independence, and place in society.
The community orchard project in Yaoundé, set up by 15 AIC volunteers as well as volunteer agricultural engineers and technicians, consists in creating and maintaining a nursery of 2,000 fruit trees (avocado, plum, orange and mandarin).
Sister Florina Joseph, SCN, wrote for Vatican News about the efforts of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth to combat poverty in Musunuru, a village in Andhra Pradesh, India.
Yolanda Shields and her son Ben Blackford, a senior at St. Xavier High School, have formed a deeper bond and gained empathy for those in need by volunteering together at St. Vincent de Paul Louisville’s Food Pantry, an experience that has shaped Ben’s perspective on service as he prepares for college and a career in meteorology.
