Spiritual insight from St. Vincent de Paul, Servant of the Poor

"It is our duty to prefer the service of the poor to everything else and to offer such service as quickly as possible. If a needy person requires medicine or other help during prayer time, do whatever has to be done with peace of mind. Offer the deed to God as your prayer.... Charity is certainly greater than any rule. Moreover, all rules must lead to charity."

~ catholicfire.blogspot.com

Did you know?

St. Vincent de Paul's impact has been felt throughout the world for generations. One shining example is DePaul University , a private institution of higher education and research in Chicago, Illinois. It was founded by the Vincentians in 1898, and is named after the Society's 17th century French priest, who valued philanthropy.

Vincentians are volunteers from all backgrounds of life who help improve the quality of life for thousands of individuals through various acts of charity during the year. Locally, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Council of Los Angeles has close to 2,000 Vincentians who serve the homeless and working poor in the counties of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara.

Information: 323-224-6298 or www.svdpla.org.

Note: Some facts located at Wikipedia.org

Vincentians sometimes endure front line battles to help those in need

Thank you to our 'Vincentian' volunteers who, because of their dedication, focus and love for God, have been able to be loving servants under some of the most difficult situations. It's no different now than it was for St. Vincent de Paul during his days of helping the homeless and disadvantaged. St. Vincent's quote below says it all...

"You will find out that Charity is a heavy burden to carry, heavier than the kettle of soup and the full basket. But you will keep your gentleness and your smile. It is not enough to give soup and bread. This the rich can do. You are the servant of the poor, always smiling and good-humored. They are your masters, terribly sensitive and exacting master you will see. And the uglier and the dirtier they will be, the more unjust and insulting, the more love you must give them. It is only for your love alone that the poor will forgive you the bread you give to them."

~ St. Vincent de Paul

A thought to begin the new week...

"In serving the sick, you should have God alone in view. You should not be too lenient and condescending when the sick refuse to take remedies or become too insolent, yet you must beware of showing either resentment or contempt in your demeanor toward them. On the contrary, treat the sick with respect and humility, remembering that all harshness and disdain, as well as the services and the honor you render them, are directed to our Lord himself."

~ Blessed Frederic Ozanam, Founder, Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Remembering our Patron Saint...

This Sunday, June 5: VII Romeria del Rocio USA 2011

Donations to benefit the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Circle V Ranch Camp in Santa Barbara

50% off Memorial Day sale on May 28 in Long Beach

St. Vincent de Paul will hold a huge 50% off storewide Memorial Day sale on Saturday, May 28 at its Long Beach store, 2750 Pacific Coast Highway, 90804.

You'll enjoy tremendous savings on clothing, shoes and much more from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (some exclusions apply).

Your support will not only save you BIG money on items you need most, but store proceeds will benefit the Society's local charitable services for those in need.

Information: 562-494-9955.

Society thanks Louisville High School

Society Executive Director David Fields (left) speaks before the Louisville High School student body on Thursday prior to presenting a $1,000 check to the school's principal, Kathleen Vercillo, for having the most high school students participate in St. Vincent de Paul's Hike for the Homeless.

Besides the hike, which raised money for St. Vincent de Paul's Cardinal manning Center (shelter) in Skid Row, a number of the students also assisted at the Society's Fourth Annual 'An Evening with the Society' benefit in Universal City. St. Vincent de Paul is excited about the positive image these young people have shown in helping individuals who are less fortunate, and look forward to building a stronger union with Louisville and other local high schools and colleges.

Photos (l-r): Often mistaken for being related to President Barack Obama, Society Executive Director David Fields jokes that he is not a relative; Posing for the check presentation are (l-r) Louisville High School's Michael Bates & Kathleen Vercillo, Students Veronica Black & Marissa Deems, and the Society's David Fields & Claire Padama.

This is St. Vincent de Paul...

"It is our duty to prefer the service of the poor to everything else and to offer such service as quickly as possible. If a needy person requires medicine or other help during prayer time, do whatever has to be done with peace of mind. Offer the deed to God as your prayer … charity is certainly greater than any rule. Moreover, all rules must lead to charity."

~ St Vincent de Paul


St Vincent de Paul devoted his life to the service of others. He is the apostle of charity for the universal Church. The 1991 edition of the Manual of the Society of St Vincent de Paul says ‘… to give oneself to God and to serve him in the person of the poor were the strictly inseparable aims of religious groups which Vincent stablished in his own time. These too are objectives of the St Vincent de Paul Society, founded almost two centuries after the saint’s death but patterned upon his ideals and lifestyle.’

From www.vinnies.org.au / Passion for Justice

A Vincentian's code of conduct

The Society's 'Vincentian' volunteer code of conduct:

"You will find out that Charity is a heavy burden to carry, heavier than the kettle of soup and the full basket. But you will keep your gentleness and your smile. It is not enough to give soup and bread. This the rich can do. You are the servant of the poor, always smiling and good-humored. They are your masters, terribly sensitive and exacting master you will see. And the uglier and the dirtier they will be, the more unjust and insulting, the more love you must give them. It is only for your love alone that the poor will forgive you the bread you give to them."

~ St. Vincent de Paul

Save the Date: VII Romeria del Rocio USA 2011

Donations to benefit the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Circle V Ranch Camp in Santa Barbara

What is Charity?

"You will find out that Charity is a heavy burden to carry, heavier than the kettle of soup and the full basket. But you will keep your gentleness and your smile. It is not enough to give soup and bread. This the rich can do. You are the servant of the poor, always smiling and good-humored. They are your masters, terribly sensitive and exacting master you will see. And the uglier and the dirtier they will be, the more unjust and insulting, the more love you must give them. It is only for your love alone that the poor will forgive you the bread you give to them."

~ St. Vincent de Paul