The "Conference of Charity," from whichthe Society of St. Vincent de Paul sprang, was founded in Paris inApril, 1833 by a few young men and a Catholic publicist. The principalfounder was a man of twenty years of age, hailing from Lyons, namedFrederic Ozanam.
A short time after his arrival in Paris,Ozanam found himself unexpectedly the centre of a little group ofCatholic students. The atmosphere after the July revolution was stormy.The battles of ideas were lively. All these young men took part in thebattles, chiefly in a society called the Conference of History, whichmet under the auspices of Joseph Emmanuel Baily, founder of the TribuneCatholique and a one-time fellow-worker of Lammenais.
In this society Ozanam and his friendsencountered one day an objection: "You praise the Church to us as thebenefactor of humanity., That was true in former times, but what areyou doing in our times for the people? What do you provide for them?"This reproach caused them to think.
It did not suffice, then, to believe inor even to defend the faith; it was necessary to study its activity. Itwas not enough to adore the God of the Gospel, it was necessary tofollow Him; it was necessary to love and assist His children in need.Thereupon one of the students attached to the Conference of History,Augustus Le Taillandier, asked himself whether it would not be possibleto bring together a small number of the Christian members, not for thepurpose of discussion but for action, to set up a "Conference ofCharity."
Ozanam seized on the idea at once. Itfulfilled one of his dearest wishes, namely to set up for these "birdsof passage," those students taken away from their parental homes, acentre for Christian friendship.
The Conference of Charity would be atonce an intimate and cheerful circle, radiating healthy youthfulness,where those who had left home would find new life and the means bywhich they could both help one another and exercise a form of charitywithin their Conference which would be modest, intelligent andpractical.
Once the decision was made by thestudents to form a "Conference of Charity," there was no delay inproceeding. A publisher, Emmanuel Bailly, was contacted; busy as hewas, he approved of the project and accepted the direction of the newgroup which consisted of Frederic Ozanam, Joseph Emmanuel Bailly,Francois Lailier, Augustus Le Tallandier, Paul Lamache, Felix Clave,and J. Devaux.
First Meeting of First Conference
Our founders were very far fromforeseeing that their first meeting, in the offices of Bailly's TribuneCatholique, was to be the origin of an institution destined to last andto extend. It is not surprising, then, that their memory should nothave retained all the circumstances relating to that first meeting.
What is for us most important is thedate of the first meeting; from the report of the first meeting thedate Tuesday, April 23, 1833 is named in two places. The offices of theTribune Catholique were located at No. 18, rue de Petit-Bourbon-SaintSulpice. Today, No. 18 rue de Petit- Bourbon bears the address No. 38,rue Saint-Sulpice; this is the cradle of our Society.
At this first meeting, the seven memberssimply resolved to bring some assistance to- homes of a few poorpersons. Sister Rosalie, of rue de Mouffetard, obtained the firstaddresses of these poor, and lent the necessary provisions.
It will be seen that the students of1833 thought neither of founding a big organization nor ofparticipating in a widespread campaign against misery. They wished tohelp one another to remain faithful to their baptismal promises and tocarry out supported by their mutual friendship, one of the essentialduties of the Christian life.
These modest ideas were quite in keepingwith the tradition of St. Vincent de Paul whom the little Conferencechose as their patron at an early stage. St Vincent who accomplishedsuch great things, never proclaimed high ambitions.
His most astonishing creations began insmall waves and their growth was the result of time and necessity. Soit was with the Society which bears his name.
It was born at an opportune time. Withobjects and methods exclusively religious, interests entirely socialand completely sundered from old- time political parties, its programharmonized with the ideals of a large section of Catholic youth.
So the Conference developed veryrapidly. The founders were surprised and even a little troubled. Whatwas going to become of the intimacy of their meetings? Ozanam, alone,appears to have understood the possibilities of the apostolate whichsuccess brought into being.
By the end of the first year theConference in Paris had grown to the point where it needed to divideinto several sections. It became necessary to set up a "Council ofManagement." When the development of the organization led to theestablishment of intermediary links between the Conference and Council,the Council assumed the title of "Council General." It also becamenecessary to draw up a Rule. This was drawn up and formulated in 1835.The drawing-up of the general principles was the work of Bailly; theArticles of the Rule were prepared by Lallier.
First Annual Report
The first Annual Report of the firstConference was stated in correspondence from Ozanam to Cumier inFebruary, 1835 to have been lost. Read at the general meeting of the27th of June, 1834, it had for its author Gustave de la Noue, member ofthe Conference of History, friend of Ozanam, whose ideas he reflects.He was introduced to it at the third or fourth session by Lallier, who,supported by Ozanam, overcame the hesitations of the other foundersabout expanding the Society.
This report has probably been handled byseveral persons who did not realize its importance. It does not seem tohave been searched for. Structural alterations made in the offices ofthe Council General in 1947 and the results of several changes ofresidence had upset, to some extent, our archives. A Paris brother, aconservator of the National Archives, devoted himself to a freshclassification of the documents. In a miscellaneous bundle of papers hefound this little copybook. He at once recognized it and in this wayhas restored to us our most ancient annual report which went astray 120years ago.
Rapid Growth of the Society
Between 1833 and 1860 the growth of theSociety was rapid; not only young intellectuals but Christians of everyclass were eager to do some- thing to improve the lot of the people.After spreading throughout France, the Society reached into Italy(Rome) in 1842; England in 1844; Belgium, Scotland and the UnitedStates in 1845; Germany, Holland, Greece, Turkey and Mexico in 1846;Canada and Switzerland in 1847; and Austria and Spain in 1850. TheSociety from that time onward was built on a solid foundation.
The Pope approved of its aims and methods, and at the end of 1845 enriched it with precious Indulgences.
Twenty-seven years after Its foundation,the Society throughout the world comprised about 2,500 Conferencesembracing 50,000 members. Its in- come amounted to almost four millionfrancs.
The period from 1860 to 1870 was acritical one for the Society, especially in France. On the one hand,the parallel progress of luxury and materialism caused men's minds togrow colder. On the other, the public authorities, in particular theFrench Empire, and later the Spanish Republic, took measures againstthe Society which they wrongly regarded as a possible centre ofopposition. With the dissolution by force of law of the CouncilGeneral, many French Conferences disappeared. Nevertheless, a certainamount of progress was shown elsewhere, chiefly in North and SouthAmerica.
After 1870 the Council General, havingfully resumed its activity, devoted itself to repairing the losses inFrance and to renewing the links with other countries. The fiftiethanniversary (1883) was solemnly celebrated.
On the eve of the World War, in 1913,the results achieved were manifested in the course of the jubileecelebrations which marked the centenary of the birth of Ozanam.
In spite of the breaking off ofdiplomatic relations between France and the Holy See, St. Pius Xarranged to be represented in Paris by a Cardinal Legate. Thestatistics of that year, 1913, showed 8,000 Conferences, 133,000members and that fifteen million francs had been distributed to thepoor.
The War of 1914-1918 gave an opportunityto the Brothers of the St. Vincent de Paul Society to exercise theirdevotedness both to civilian casualties and to prisoners.
Amongst the latter, Conferences werestarted in certain German camps. But the mobilization dried uprecruitment and economic difficulties diminished funds.
With the coming of peace, much ruin wasevident, especially in the countries which had been the principaltheatres of operations. In the endeavour to restore things, the Societymade every effort to adapt its pro- gram and methods to the new socialconditions and to penetrate into places where it was hitherto unknown.
China, Japan, the Malayan Archipelago,Indo-China, Burma, India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and East Africa sawConferences established or multiplied. The United States of America nowcounted as many Conferences as France itself.
The centenary celebrations in 1933consummated this world-wide expansion, since no less than 33 nationswere represented at them. His Eminence Cardinal Verdier, who presidedin the capacity of Papal Legate, was greeted on this occasion byrepresentatives of the public authorities.
In 1950, there were about 20,000Conferences with an active member- ship of a quarter of a million. InSeptember 1953, the Society solemnly commemorated the centenary of thedeath of Frederic Ozanam under the presidency of His Eminence CardinalFeltin, Archbishop of Paris, Legate of the Holy Father, with theparticipation of delegates from all countries of the Christian worldwhere the Society existed. These festive meetings have drawn closer thefraternal bonds existing between even the most distant countries andhave strengthened the Society's approach to the mission undertaken byour principal founder.
Following the International meeting ofthe Society in Paris, 1960, the Council General embarked on anextension and development program throughout the world. The idea ofadopting Conferences between Nations was initiated; this later led toself-help projects, assistance in times of National disaster, and,finally, Council to Council adoptions. This plan led to theInternational Congresses in Europe, South America and S.E. Asia inorder to develop a closer liaison and knowledge of our Society betweenmembers in many countries. The International meeting of NationalPresidents in Paris, 1960 was followed by similar assembles in Paris(1963), Paris (1967), Dublin (1973), Paris (1979), Montreal (1986), andParis (1992).
The Society is still expandingthroughout the world and at the present time (1995), it is establishedin about 130 countries with about 875,000 members. In 1983, the Societycelebrated its 150th anniversary with celebrations world-wide. TheSociety has had for International Presidents General-. Joseph EmmanuelBailly (1833-1844) and after him Jules Gossin (1844-1847); AdolpheBaudon (1847-1883); Antonin Pages (18&3-1902); Paul CaHon(1902-1913); Vicomte d'Hendecourt (1913-1924); Henri de Verges(1924-1943); Jacques Zeiller (1943-1954), Pierre Chouard (1955-1969);Henri Jacob (1969-1975); Joseph Rouast (1975-1981); Amin A. de Tarrazi(1981-1993); and Ceasar A. Nunes-Viana (1993-).
The Society in Northern Ireland: What was it like in the early days?
(Taken from http://www.svp-ni.org/)
The Society came to Belfast in 1850with the formation of St Mary's Conference in Chapel Lane. despite theenormous death toll from disease, the population of Belfast increasedby 10,000 in the hunger decade and continued to increase as peopleflocked in from impoverished districts in the country and minor towns.Funds were low, and had it not been for generous aid from elsewhere,especially from the American Conferences, many Conferences would havefallen into serious debt. In Derry, St Columb's Conference reportedthat they had to raffle a bible and prayer book to make ends meet, astyphus and other diseases swept through the town. Distress wasaggravated in many places like Lisburn and Randalstown where weaverswere reported to be out of work because of the American Civil War.
Even at that time, Belfast had its ownpeculiar problems. 'Distress is still prevalent among us, owing to thelate riots which have disgraced our town'; reported St Patrick'sConference in 1865, while St Malachy's was still relieving 'the headsof families who were disabled during the riots of August 1864, and arenot able to resume their place as chief support yet'.
The great concern, however, of theseearly years was Christian education. Both St John's and St Columb'sConferences in Derry set up libraries, and in Coleraine an extensivecirculating library under the local Conference's management wasself-supporting. The Society began to organise Sunday Schools and thesecould be found in Coleraine, Derry, Lurgan, Belfast and Randalstown.Provision of clothing to enable children to attend school was apriority for several Conferences. Lurgan reported in 1871 that as wellas providing straw for beds it had also supplied to boys attending theschool 'who were in need of clothing of about 45 suits'.
How quickly did the Society expand?
The Society had gained a foothold inthe North, and the number of Conferences was on the increase. At theturn of the century, fifty years after coming north, there were 43Conferences, covering the main towns of with Conferences setting up inthe smaller towns and villages.
When we read of the Society in the earlyyears in the North, we cannot help but be amazed by what ourpredecessors accomplished, against tremendous needs and with fewresources. However the Society was then in its youthful phase, strongand energetic, and though the social problems were massive, there waswithin the Society an urgency and enthusiasm which enabled it to tacklethose problems without hesitation.
Even in the 20th century, the Society inthe north met the challenge of the Hungry '30s, which left an indeliblemark on an already impoverished community. When the Welfare State wasset up in 1948, many people thought, quite wrongly, that it would be apanacea for our problems. Indeed, some of our rural branches began todwindle and die off, under the impression that everyone was beinglooked after and cared for.
Where does all the money raised by SVP go?
Each year the society raises millions.Most of the money is spent directly supporting unemployed families.Over £5m each year goes to families and old people in the form of cashassistance, food, clothing, furniture, coal, and help with gas andelectricity bills. The balance went to provide the many specialservices such as housing for the elderly, a centre for deprivedchildren, holiday homes and so on.
Almost half of the money is raised bythe church gate collectors which take place in different parishes onSundays during the year. People are particularly giving at Christmas.Then there are special bequests and donations from individual andfirms, which are very welcome and often most generous.
So remember the next time there isa church gate collection for St. Vincent de Paul in your parish, yourcontribution goes directly to help someone in need, for every £1donated…100p goes to people who deserve it!