SSVP’s members live the Gospel message by serving Christ in the poor. This is the basis of their commitment. Inspired by the spirituality of our patron saint, St. Vincent de Paul, members strive to deepen their faith via action by meeting real needs of the poor.  In their service, Vincentians meet the suffering Christ in the people they help. This makes them aware of their own poverty of heart and of how hard it is to give unreserved love. It encourages them to ask the Lord for help. We believe that the work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul can only be fruitful if it is nourished by prayer. This is why we have a Faith Formation committee to help Vincentians. This committee organises retreats, days of recollection and spiritual talks to support the spiritual journey of members.

“Give me a man of prayer, and he will be capable of everything.”

~ St. Vincent de Paul, SSVP Patron Saint

The Vincentian Pledge

As far as we are able: We promise to do all we can to make Christ’s law of love prevalent among all men and women, practising the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. We promise to sanctify ourselves through prayer, attendance at mass and frequent reception of the Sacraments in order to fulfil better our duties as Vincentians. We promise to visit the poor and the sick in their homes and institutions in order to provide their needs both spiritually and materially. We promise to impart knowledge of our Faith to our Friends in Need and those we come into contact, by sharing our faith and the good news with them by our actions. We promise to participate in the annual retreat and the two feast days of the Society so that our zeal for souls may be rekindled. We promise to help advance the works of mercy by our offering in the secret bag collection within our means. We promise to increase the influence of the Society by convincing qualified people, especially young men and women, to join the Society and to guide them with our experience. We promise to pray for each other, so that we may be strengthened in our vocation as Vincentians.

Vincentian Vocation

The vocation of the Society’s members, who are called Vincentians, is to follow Christ through service to those in need and so bear witness to His compassionate and liberating love. Members show their commitment through person-to-person contact. Vincentians serve in hope.

Prayer of the Vincentian Family

Lord Jesus, You who willed to become poor, give us eyes and a heart directed toward the poor, Help us to recognise You in them – In their thirst, their hunger, their loneliness and their misfortune. Enkindle within our Vincentian family, unity, simplicity, humility and the fire of love that burned in St Vincent de Paul. Strengthen us, so that, faithful to the practice of these virtues, we may contemplate You, and serve You, in the person of the poor. And may one day be united with You and them in Your Kingdom. Amen.