Written By Sunnie Lain, Vincention Support Services

I’ve heard of St. Vincent dePaul, but what is a Vincentian?

In over 90 countries worldwide, more than 190,000 men and women call themselves “Vincentians.”  These people are members of the Society of St. Vincent dePaul, one of the largest Catholic lay organizations in the world.  Our members believe that being a Vincentian is a vocation—something that we live 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Whether we are teachers, parents, engineers, or accountants,  to have a Vincentian vocation means that we understand that everything that we have—skills, talents, material goods—comes from God, and that we are called as Christians to use those resources to reduce the suffering experienced by our brothers and sisters in our community and around the world.

Vincentians are based in Conferences

Vincentians are based in “Conferences”, which are usually parish-based.  Each Conference serves those in need in the area surrounding it. We believe that “no work of charity is foreign to the Society,” and so each Conference helps people in their service area in different ways—they may provide assistance with utility bills, rental or mortgage assistance, clothing, furniture, or simply prayer and companionship.  The key to the service that Vincentians provide is face-to-face contact with those we serve in Dayton and beyond.  Vincentians seek to always “see Christ in the face of the poor,” and to bring the love of God to those who are in material or spiritual need.

How can I learn more?

In the Dayton area, we have 35 St. Vincent de Paul Conferences:  33 parish-based and two University-based.  In those Conferences, people from all walks of life come together to grow in spirituality and friendship through service to our neighbors. As Vincentians, we live out our Christian calling to seek and find the forgotten, the suffering or the deprived so that we may bring them God’s love. We invite you to learn more about becoming a Vincentian.  Go to the Conferences page to find out more about where our Conferences are, Conference life, and how to connect with the Conference closest to you.

Quotes from the Confederation international of Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Manual and Rule books.
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