Society of St. Vincent de Paul 875,000 members around the world Founded in 1833 by six university students in Paris under the patronage of St. Vincent de Paul, today the Society includes almost 900,000 members spread among 46,000 confraternities in 130 countries of five continents. The Society's purpose is to provide direct aid to those who suffer, and to help individuals reduce and even eliminate the causes of their suffering, themselves. Society members use their own resources, sharing not only possessions but the valuable gift of their presence. More: About the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul: History and Ideals Frederic Ozanam: A Founder of the Society will be beatified by Pope John Paul II on August 23, 1997. Read about this visionary who was as devout as he was pragmatic. St. John's University: home of the first American university chapter Return to The Family Tree of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac Contact John Freund, C.M. with questions or comments about this site.