Mission
“As committed members of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, we seek to identify and combat all forms of poverty, by promoting social justice and actively working with those in need, acknowledging that, by freely giving of ourselves, we become more aware of the power of love in all our relationships.”
SSVP Conferences & Councils
Communities of faith & love
The Society is open to all Catholics who seek to live their faith loving and committing themselves to their neighbour in need.
Vincentians pray that the Holy Spirit may guide them during their visits and make them channels for the peace and joy of Christ.
Core Values
- Simplicity – frankness, integrity, genuineness
- Humility – accepting the truth about our frailties, gifts talents and charisms, yet knowing that all that God gives us is for others and that we can achieve nothing of eternal value without His grace.
- Gentleness – friendly assurance and invincible goodwill, which mean kindness, tenderness and patience in our relationship with others.
- Selflessness – dying to our ego with a life of self-sacrifice; members share their time, their possessions, their talents and themselves in a spirit of generosity.
- Zeal-enthusiasm, energy and fervour.
A vocation for every moment of our lives
The Vincentian vocation affects all aspects of members’ daily lives, making them more sensitive and caring in their family, work and leisure activities. Vincentians are available for work in the Conferences only after fulfilling their family and professional duties. Click edit button to change this text.
“The Poor stretch out their hands to us, but it is god who receives what we give to them”
St. Louise de Marillac
The Fish logo
The logo has great meaning for members of the SSVP, and is used by members in many of the 155 countries where there is SSVP.
- The fish is the symbol of Christianity and, in this case, represents the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.
- The eye of the fish is the watchful eye of God seeking to help the poor among us.
- The crossing at the tail or the tie-knot represents unity and oneness among members and also the union with the poor.
- The circle around the logo signifies the worldwide nature of the SSVP.
- The words serviens in spe mean to serve in hope, the hope that comes from Our Lord Jesus Christ.