SVDP Memphis

Members of the Society of St.Vincent de Paul (or "Vincentians") are men and women who strive to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to individuals in need. They are young and old. They come in every shade of skin color. Some are wealthy, some are financially poor, but all are blessed with awareness that our blessings (time, talent or treasure) are to be shared with our brothers and sisters in need.

They are not alone, but part of an international society of friends united by a spirit of poverty, humility, and sharing, which is nourished by prayer and reflection, mutually supportive gatherings, and adherence to a basic Rule. Energized by the awareness that service to their brother or sister in need is in fact an encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ, members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul are keenly aware that poverty, suffering and loneliness are present for millions in our communities. For that reason, Vincentians collaborate with all who seek to relieve need and address its causes.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul offers tangible assistance to those in need on a person-to-person basis. It is this personalized involvement that makes the work of the Society unique. This aid may take the form of intervention, consultation, or often through direct dollar or in-kind service. An essential precept of the Society's work is to provide help while conscientiously maintaining the confidentiality and dignity of those who are served. The Society recognizes that it must assume, also, a role of advocacy for those who are defenseless or voiceless. Some 12 million persons are helped annually by Vincentians in the United States.

The list of services of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is endless. No work of charity is foreign to the Society. To quote our patron, St. Vincent de Paul: "Charity is infinitely inventive."

The Society's basic, local unit is called a Conference. At this level, Vincentians meet regularly for prayer and to serve their brothers and sisters in need by direct service. A Society Council is formed at the district or diocesan level to help coordinate the works of various area Conferences, provide resources and support, and may develop additional special works. In Memphis, the first St. Vincent de Paul Conference was aggregated (formed) September 18, 1865 at St. Peter and Paul Church.

At the present time there are ten active conferences with 336 members in the city. In the year 2006, these conferences donated a total of 25,154 service hours to the poor, including 2.117 visits to homes and 480 visits to prisoners. The total value of food, clothing, furniture, legal, medical, dental and professional services provided was some $279,268.