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Our Founder 1813 - 1853
In 1833, a brilliant young law student named Frederic Ozanam was so appalled
by the conditions of the poor, especially during the plague of 1832, that he
organized about six other students and himself into a society dedicated to serving
the poor. They did this by visiting them in their own homes and providing
emergency assistance through food, clothing, comfort, and where appropriate,
spiritual guidance. He worked with the society throughout his life. When he died
in 1853, the society he had founded twenty years earlier, was established in France,
Ireland, England, The United States, Mexico, and Canada.
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Frederic Ozanam
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Our Patron 1581 - 1660
St. Vincent De Paul was chosen as the patron and the Society was named after him.
He was a priest of the early 1600's in France who had dedicated his life to founding
charitable organizations to help the poor, the imprisoned, slaves in the galley ships,
the ill, and indeed all the less fortunate in society.
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St. Vincent de Paul
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Our Purpose
From the beginning, the efforts of the Vincentians have been focused at the Parish
level where conferences are usually established. They are dedicated to helping anyone, from any denomination,
in need of temporary assistance. A visit is made to the home by two of our members once a family contacts their Parish Office or Central Phone Line for the Society (Burlington)
and help is provided in the form of food (food vouchers) and other necessities (e.g., clothing and sometimes furniture). We work in partnership with our friends from the SSVP Mobile Clothing Unit from Hamilton East and Amity Goodwill Stores across the Region
where we then have access to clothing, beds, and essential furniture items for families that call upon the Society to provide temporary or short term assistance to them.
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Our Vocation
In response to a call of the conscience, we Vincentians make every effort to put
our Christian Faith into action by providing assistance to anyone in need. We do this
in such a way that the dignity and privacy of those we help is protected.
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Where to get Help
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Young Adult Program
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Spritual Corner
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