Frédéric Ozanam was born in April 1813 in Milan, to Jean and Marie Ozanam. He was the fifth child among fourteen, though only three survived to adulthood. The Ozanam family, of Jewish origin, had lived in the Lyon region of France for centuries. An ancestor, Jacques Ozanam (1640–1717), was a noted mathematician.
Frédéric’s father, Jean Ozanam, served in the French army before becoming a teacher and physician. From an early age, Frédéric showed deep faith, intellectual brilliance, and compassion for the poor.
“Let us love God, my brothers, let us love God, but let it be with the work of our hands and the sweat of our brows.”
During his youth, Ozanam experienced doubts about his Catholic faith. However, under the guidance of Abbé Noirot, a teacher at the Collège de Lyon, his faith was strengthened. He soon began defending the Church against growing secular ideologies.
In 1831, he published Réflexions sur la Doctrine de Saint-Simon, refuting Saint-Simonianism, and later joined the Association for the Propagation of the Faith, which supported Catholic missionaries.
He moved to Paris to study law, where he faced loneliness and homesickness but found mentorship and friendship among renowned Catholic thinkers such as André-Marie Ampère and Alphonse de Lamartine.
In 1833, during a heated debate at a student discussion group, a skeptic challenged Ozanam and his peers:
“What is your Church doing now? What is she doing for the poor of Paris? Show us your works and we will believe you!”
That question changed everything. Inspired by the Gospel and the life of St. Vincent de Paul, Frédéric and six companions founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in May 1833. Guided by Blessed Rosalie Rendu, a Daughter of Charity, they began visiting poor families in Paris — offering not just charity, but compassion, dignity, and faith.
Ozanam earned his degrees in Law and Literature, later becoming a professor of foreign literature at the Sorbonne University. His lectures, emphasizing Christianity’s influence on European civilization, inspired countless students.
Despite his academic success, Ozanam remained deeply committed to service:
“The order of society is based on two virtues: justice and charity. But justice presupposes charity.”
He married Amélie Soulacroix in 1841, and together they had a daughter, Marie. His faith-filled family life reflected his teachings of humility, simplicity, and love.
During the Revolution of 1848, Ozanam advocated for social justice and Christian democracy, founding the newspaper Ère Nouvelle (“New Era”). His frail health led him to Italy in search of recovery, but he passed away in Marseille on September 8, 1853, at the age of 40.
He was buried in St. Joseph des Carmes Church, Paris.
Frédéric Ozanam’s life remains a shining example of faith in action — of charity grounded in justice and love.
“I would like to wrap the world in a network of charity.”
Saint Vincent de Paul was born on 24 April 1581 in Pouy, France, and ordained at 19. He began his priesthood serving the wealthy but soon dedicated his life to the poor, sick, and imprisoned. His works inspired countless charitable organizations.
“Deal with the most urgent needs… there is no charity without justice.”
He died in Paris on 27 September 1660 and was canonized in 1737. In 1883, the Church declared him the Patron of all Charitable Associations.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul continues his mission — serving those in need with humility and compassion.
Vincentians are united by a spirit of poverty, humility, and sharing. Inspired by Gospel values, members grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to the poor and suffering. The Society welcomes people from all backgrounds, guided by the example of Frédéric Ozanam and St. Vincent de Paul.
“I invite you to plant seeds in your young people that one day will grow to nourish the future development of the Society.”
Youth have always been the heart of the Vincentian mission. From the founders’ student beginnings to today’s vibrant youth conferences, young Vincentians are inspired to serve, innovate, and lead the Society into the future.
Although women were not part of the original founding, their role soon became vital. In 1856, Celestina Scatabelli founded the first female branch in Bologna, Italy. In 1967, the women’s branches merged with the Society globally.
In India, women play a significant role in leadership and community service within the Society.
The Aggregation of a Conference and Institution of a Council signify official recognition by the International Confederation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Paris. Every Conference or Council seeking recognition must apply to the International Confederation, which unites Vincentians worldwide under one spiritual family.
Frédéric Ozanam’s vision remains alive in every act of kindness, every visit to the poor, and every Vincentian who serves with love. His faith continues to inspire a global network of charity — a living testimony that “Charity must never look back, but always ahead.”
Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP) is an international Catholic voluntary organization dedicated to the service of the poor and marginalized.
Founded in 1833 by Blessed Frédéric Ozanam and guided by the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul, the Society aims to promote human dignity through acts of love, compassion, and justice.
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