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The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul figures prominently among those apostolic institutions which owe their beginnings to the free decisions of lay people. It is an international lay organization, founded in Paris in 1833 by Frédéric Ozanam and his friends. A Catholic Society, it is open to all those who desire to live their faith in love and service of their neighbour. Under the patronage of Saint Vincent de Paul, it draws its inspiration from his thoughts and his works. Members strive, in a spirit of justice, charity, mutual help, and solidarity with the poor, and by personal commitment, to ease the hardships of those who suffer. THE FOUNDER: FREDERIC OZANAM Frederic Ozanam was born on April 23, 1813 in Milan. In 1815 the Ozanam family moved to Lyon where the father had secured a position in the Hotel-Dieu hospital. As a twenty-year old university student, Ozanam was profoundly Christian and pursued his studies assiduously, attending all the lectures of the history conference where literature and philosophy were given equal appreciation. In 1822, Frederic began his classical studies at the Sorbonne. He married and was soon established both as a family man and as a successful professor at the Sorbonne. In Paris he was haunted by the misery of the poor, and his dream was to see harmony among social classes. He campaigned for justice and charity. His faith enabled him to see Christ in the poor, always reiterating “Our aim is to keep the faith and to spread it among others by means of charity.” In 1833, anxious to respond to the attacks formulated by his colleagues - followers of Saint-Simon - Ozanam and some of his friends founded the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. Ozanam was encouraged by the revered Joseph Emmanuel Bailly de Surcy, founder and former director of the “Société des Bonnes Études” (society for good studies). Ozanam made a pact with his friends to follow their lead, but “to help the poor materially, and after a certain time, perhaps to help them to return to the practice of religion. The first meeting of the new Society was held April 23, 1833. FIRST FEMALE COLLABORATOR From the very first, the members decided on visiting the poor in their homes, but this could not have been done without close collaboration with the Daughters of Charity, particularly that of Sister Rosalie Rendu, who initiated them into the care of the poor by actual practice. This woman wielded a deep influence on the nascent Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and no one was better fitted to help them in the apprenticeship of charity. For two years Sister Rosalie directed the young Vincentians to the homes of needy people, showering them all the time with good advice and wise suggestions. When it came to forming a second Conference (as the group called itself), it was very difficult for them to think about breaking the bonds of friendship that had grown among them; but the unassuming Sister of Charity was able to convince them that a second Conference must be formed. It became the starting point for the expansion of the Society. THE SOCIETY OF SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL IN NEW ZEALAND It was in 1867, a mere 34 years after that first meeting, that the seeds of the society were sown in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was the farthest and most southern outpost from headquarters in Paris. The Conference was established by Rev Fr Chataingner SM – the first parish priest of Christchurch. The priests of the Society of Mary gave leadership and direction to the fledgling Conference. THE RULE By the end of 1835 there were two hundred and fifty members in the Society. It seemed about time to provide the Society with the rules of a regular organization. The revered Mr. Bailly at the same time, determined to give the Society a written Rule. He assigned M. Lallier to draft a Rule, reserving for himself some preliminary reflections. This Rule, amended at different periods, has been and is still today the guide for the Society. It is highly recommended that each member of the Society make it his or her duty not only to read the Rule and its commentaries but to study it and be inspired by it. EXPANSION Founded in Paris by Frederic Ozanam and a few of his friends who felt the need to affirm their faith by visiting the poor and offering material and spiritual help to them, the pioneers saw in Saint Vincent de Paul a model of the charity of Christ. With all the help that they had received from Revered Emmanuel Bailly and from Sister Rosalie, the first Vincentians were strong in their religious convictions. They had become aware of the problems of poverty that raged in Paris. Following their example, other conferences spread rapidly throughout France and into other countries of Europe. When Ozanam died, there were 15,000 Vincentians. The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul is now present in 141 countries, has 710,000 members and serves 15 million friends in need. This expansion of the Society throughout the world is the most beautiful monument that could ever be erected to the memory of our founders, indeed to the memory of all our predecessors. It is very hard to evaluate the harvest from that first sowing of seeds all those years ago. The results of that sowing are still felt today. New conferences are being born in countries which are now emerging from the oppression to which they were submitted for so many years. Ozanam was the pioneer of a “network of charity” that spread all around the world.
1867 - 1905 - The Seeds Are Sown in New Zealand
Christchurch NZ 1867
On 7 July 1867 the Cathedral Conference was established by Rev Fr Chatainger SM - the first Parish Priest of Christchurch. He was assisted by Mr Edward O’Connor, the schoolmaster of the first Catholic school in Canterbury. By writings he could well be regarded as the co-convenor of that pioneer Conference. Thre president was B Hughes and the secretary JF St J Baker.
The Priests of the Society of Mary gave leadership an direction to the fledgling Conference. Rev Fathers Chervier SM and Boibieus attended the first meeting while Rev Frs Chervier, Boibieux and Ecuyer attended meetings in succession and Father Chataigner left for Timaru in 1869.
It is recorded in the 1933 Christchurch report that spiritual readings were always a special feature at meetings and were taken from such works as "The Christian Sanctified", The Precious Blood", "Life of St Vincent de Paul" and the Manual
Relief and visitation of the poor were immediate works of concern and it is is reported that ’the Conference did not consider what religion the applicant professed’. Again, because of the scattered nature of the parish and scarcity of priests, the brothers of the Conferences assisted the poor spiritually as well as materially, particularly those who had wandered away form the practice of their religion.
A library was assembled. Books were loaned to parishioners and the poor. (It is of interest to note that the conference followed an objective of the Society’s founders - the distribution of Catholic literature).
It is evident that shortage of funds was a continuing and vexing problem. Many, if not most of the parishioners would have been Irish migrants arriving by the free or assisted passage schemes of the Canterury Provincial Government in the 1850’s and 1860’s and Premier Vogel’s scheme of the 1870’s to procure labour for construction of railways and roads. Unlike the relatively prosperous settlers in the town and the pastoralists in the rural areas the majority of parishioners would have little left after living expenses for support of the Church and for charitable donations. In addition to the "secret collections" funds were raised by entertainments. One particular six monthly function was a "tea" for parishioners at which members waited on the table. Tickets were sold and any profits went to Conference funds.
It was against the Rule for ladies to attend the Conference meetings. Many cases were handed to the ladies who reported to the Chaplain or President and on their recommendation the Conference supplied what was necessary.
22 December 1923
A letter from Sr M Joseph Aubert - Home of Compassion
My Dear Miss Bartlett
I find no word to thank you and the kind members of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Hawera. Your generosity has no limit and like your Saintly Patron you humbly think nothing of it and wisely leave to the Angels the care to register in the ledgers of heaven what you consider trifles.
What a grand asset you must have and how the interest accumulates every year. May God reward you and your charitable parishioners a thousand fold in this life and in the next.
Believe me.
Most sincerely yours
Sr M Joseph Aubert
Home of Compassion