09/27/2025
Today is the Feast of Saint Vincent de Paul, the 17th century French priest renowned for his generosity in serving the poorest in society. Happy feast day!
The President of the Diocesan Council of Lansing of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, Joseph Tomczyk, explains a bit more about the history of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and it’s daily work of mercy carried out for the love of Christ across the 10-counties that make up the Diocese of Lansing. Joseph says:
In 1833, after the French Revolution young Frédéric Ozanam and five other students at the Sorbonne were challenged by other students who believed the Church was unnecessary. The challengers believed that modern, scientific methods should address society’s problems. “What is the Church doing today?”
In response Blessed Frédéric and his companions met and formed the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (originally the “Conference of Charity”). In Blessed Frédéric’s words: “We must do what is agreeable to God. Therefore, we must do what our Lord Jesus Christ did when preaching the gospel. Let us go to the poor!”
Life can be tough; Vincentians offer help and hope to our struggling Neighbors. For some it is a one-time need. For others, the assistance is ongoing. We assist with housing, food, transportation, utilities, and medical expenses, along with other needs: “No work of charity is foreign to the Society” (Our Rule §1.3).
Today, the Society is in over 150 countries, with 800,000 Vincentians and 1,500,000 volunteers. Every day, it helps over 30 million people.
Last year we in the Diocese touched the lives of over 50,000 Neighbors. In addition to providing material assistance, we are there to listen, to support, and to encourage.
Here at the St. Therese of Lisieux Conference, we are blest with the Christ-like generosity of our Parishioners, the Greater Lansing Food Bank and Meijer's who enable us to provide food and personal items to 30 families (over 200 mouths) EACH WEEK!
See the Face of Christ in those we serve; Be the Face of Christ to them. This is the goal of the Society’s Vincentians (members) as we engage in our ministry.
Vincentians seek to grow in holiness through friendship and service. Heeding Christ’s admonishment, “…whatever you did for one of the least of those brethren of mine, you did unto me” (Matthew 25:40, New Catholic Bible, St. Joseph Edition,)
We are often blessed to see the Face of Christ.
St. Vincent De Paul, apostle of charity, pray for us!
*Originally published on the Diocese of Lansing’s webpage in September 2024.
