Over the past years, each year has been dedicated to one of the “founder members” of SSVP.
Until December 8, 2024, the International Year will be dedicated to the Venerable Jean-Léon Le Prévost, (1803-1874).
Le Prévost asked at the February 4, 1834 meeting that the Conference of Charity be placed under the patronage of St. Vincent de Paul and celebrate his feast day, and that each meeting begin and end with a prayer. Ozanam, in turn, requested that the Conference be placed under the protection of the Virgin Mary and celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8.
Since then, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul has maintained two patronages, that of the Immaculate Conception and that of St. Vincent de Paul.