The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul is an international organisation formed of lay Catholics, who seek personal and spiritual growth through service to those most in need.
SSVP Global
The quote above is a very beautiful and apt summary of what the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (or “SSVP”) is. This organisation does not put itself in the centre, it does not try to overshadow God’s great works and love and it does not to compete with other organisations.
That is why you might not have heard about it. Perhaps. And if you have, it surely was not in an advertisement broadcasted in the television. The members of Society know where to help. In fact, everyone does. And instead of wasting all the time on promotion and marketing, it seeks to continue helping those who need it the most, because there is so much to do.
To put it in other words – it is lay people investing their time, talents, love, resources and happiness to other lay people.
The organisation was founded in the 19th century by university students who decided not to close their eyes in front of poverty, injustice and lack of faith and love in lives of others. These courageous people took the initiative to help in their own way and inspired an immense number of people around the world that poverty in its many forms will not solve itself.
Today, the Society is present in over 150 countries, with 800 000 members and 1 500 000 volunteers. Every day, it helps over 30 million people. And seeks to make these numbers grow. Not for its own fame and power, but for the feeling that someone walks this world with a smile, warm feeling of love in their heart and their needs fulfilled.
For more information about SSVP, feel free to discover more through the links below.
https://www.ssvpglobal.org
International Confederation of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_of_Saint_Vincent_de_Paul
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul on Wikipedia
https://wiki.famvin.org/en/Society_of_Saint_Vincent_de_Paul
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul on Vincentian Encyclopedia