Britain celebrates the 200th Anniversary of Ozanam

The SVDP of England and Wales celebrated Frederic’s 200th anniversary with a a review of his legacy in Britain and around the world.

Key Highlights of the SVP’s work are:

• The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) is an international society with branches in 148 countries and a total of 700,000 members worldwide
• The SVP is one of the largest Catholic lay organisation in the world
• The SVP has been established in the UK for 170 years and has over 10,000 members and supporters
• In 2012, over half a million visits were made to more than 85,000 individuals and families across England and Wales
• In addition, on nearly 100,000 occasions material assistance was also provided
• Nearly one thousand children enjoyed one of the SVP’s summer camps in 2012
• SVP members recorded over one million hours of  voluntary service in 2012
• In addition, the SVP runs community projects including shops, furniture stores and food banks to support those in need.
• The SVP is committed to supporting all in need regardless of their faith, colour, race, status or sexual orientation, including young families, the elderly, the disabled, asylum seekers, those who have been in prison or the homeless.

National President, Adrian Abel, reflected how important it is to continue to attract new members to undertake this work. “In this special year let’s put together a programme of prayer and action to recruit new members, ensuring that in years to come we can maintain and expand the work of the SVP.”

The words and actions of Frédéric have come to be seen as contributing to the development of Catholic social teaching, dear to the heart of our new Pope, who said the role of the Holy Father is to open his arms and protect all of humanity, but “especially the poorest, the weakest, the least important, those whom Matthew lists in the final judgment on love: the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and those in prison.” Members of the SVP seek to respond to that call. The SVP is one of the largest Catholic lay organisations with 700,000 members worldwide. The work of befriending and helping people in need, whether they be families, the elderly, asylum seekers, those who have been in prison or the homeless, goes on

For more information, see: www.svp.org.uk

Click here for ideas on 200 things to do. (Link no longer active)

SVDP England and Wales Facebook page

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Tags: 200th anniversary, Frederic Ozanam, SVDP