Founder of SVDP: Frederic Ozanam

The St Vincent de Paul Society was founded in 1833 by a 20-year-old student named Frederic Ozanam.​

As a young student in Paris and a devote Christian, Frederic was questioned on what he was doing to help the marginlaised in society a part from preaching to others. His response was to gather a group of friends to help him deliver fire wood and clothing to people on the streets. One small group of active friends turned into groups popping up throughout France and then the world, turning into what is known as Conferences today.

The question which is agitating the world today is a social one. It is a struggle between those who have nothing and those who have too much. It is a violent clash of opulence and poverty which is shaking the ground under our feet. Our duty as Christians is to throw ourselves between these two camps in order to accomplish by love what justice alone cannot do.