What is SSVP
Founded in 1833 by a group of young laymen, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul is a lay Catholic organization of women and men, who wished to put their faith into action. From the start, the Society has been under the patronage of Saint Vincent de Paul, a great saint, well-known for his works of charity.
The members of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul maintain the Vincentian spirit. Their vocation rests on two basic principles: continuing prayers (deepening their faith) and the meeting with Christ through the poor. These principles lead them to serve the very poorest with a deep respect, no matter where they come from, or what they believe, thus developing long-term and personal relationships.
Brief history
Historically, the core work of the SSVP is the home visit: from the very beginnings of the Society, Blessed Frederic Ozanam (the leading co-founder) and his companions, went to the poor, visiting them at home in the deprived districts of Paris. This continues today, as the volunteers go to seek people in need, wherever they live: in their homes, on the streets, in shelters, in hospitals or in prisons, each in his own area. Funded by donations, it also provides emergency aid and rehabilitation for victims of natural or humanitarian disasters, and finances development projects.
General Council
The International General Council (IGC) oversees an International Confederation of countries who continue the work of our French founder, the Blessed Frederic Ozanam. Each country has one or more National Councils (depending on its demographic spread), formed by Conferences that are the basic units of the Society.
Conferences, normally linked to a Catholic parish, work independently, in collaboration with the Council that brings together several local, regional or national Conferences in a structure that varies from country to country. Conference members meet regularly, usually weekly but at least fortnightly, to pray, organize and discuss their work on behalf of the poor in their local community.
Editorial
Frédéric Ozanam, notre fondateur, rêvait d’enserrer le monde par un réseau de Charité.
Les membres de la société de Saint Vincent de Paul tissent, nuit et jour, sans lassitude, ce grand réseau d’amour.
Ils sont les témoins de Dieu sur cette Terre.
Tout est brisé au pays des Cèdres !
Ce pays autrefois prospère et foisonnant agonise. Il se trouve à présent en faillite financière, sociale et politique.
Une atmosphère lugubre serre la gorge des libanais, perturbe leur sommeil et les déprime. Ils parcourent un tunnel noir sans issue, les étouffant, les écrasant.
Mais…
… c’est dans l’obscurité des failles profondes que l’on trouve parfois la force de se battre pour la lumière. Des lueurs d’espoir circulent dans 52 régions différentes distribuant réconfort, écoute et sourire.
C’est le pouvoir des vincentiens qui ne chôment pas, qui continuent la Mission de Saint Vincent de Paul en sillonnant villes et villages afin de visiter les familles, les secourir, les consoler et leur distribuer nourriture, pain, mazout, médicaments, sourire et réconfort.
D’où puisent-ils cette force ?
D’où cherchent-ils cette espérance ?
Ils se confient au Saint Esprit et aux paroles de Dieu :
« Ne crains pas car je suis avec toi,
ne te laisse pas émouvoir car je suis ton Dieu ;
Je t’ai fortifié et je t’ai aidé, je t’ai soutenu de ma droite justicière. (Isaïe 41 :10)
Nous sommes choisis. Nous continuerons à témoigner !
Saint Vincent de Paul a écrit en s’adressant aux filles de la charité :
«Voilà l’heure de l’oraison ; si vous entendez les pauvres qui vous appellent, mortifiez-vous et quittez Dieu pour Dieu… »
La Société de Saint Vincent de Paul Liban
The Society of Saint Vincent De Paul in Lebanon
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul was founded in Beirut Lebanon in 1860. It exercises its activities legally under the declaration registered at ministry of interior, number 545 dated July 19, 1923.
Our main objective is to provide assistance to the poorer and supply them with their most urgent needs.
Gathered in 49 Conferences (2019), volunteers and members (men, women and youth) share their time and energy to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged people all around Lebanon.
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Lebanon works in varied fields: Spiritual, Social, Medical, Educational, Recreational and Development.
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and FAMVIN
The Vincentian Family (FamVin) was founded in 1995 that gathered Associations which shared the same charism of Saint Vincent de Paul: the Daughters of Charity, The Association International of Charity (AIC), the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP) and the Congregation of the Mission. Later on, JMV (Juventudes Mariales Vicentinas), MISEVI (Misioneros Seglares Vicentinos), and AMM (Association of Miraculous Medal) joined the first group.
In 2004, an Executive Committee was created in order to work on an annual basis and to present (each 2 years) their proposal and outcomes to the plenary that forms the FamVin, and more associations joined the Vincentian Family.
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and the United Nations
The Society is an accredited UN NGO at ECOSOC (United Nations Economic and Social Council) since 2012, and has presence in New York, Geneva and UNESCO in Paris.
Our representatives attend appropriate meetings and liaise and work closely with the UN representatives of the Vincentian Family comprising of the Congregation of the Mission, Daughters of Charity, Association of International Charity and SSVP in a spirit of solidarity and Collaboration. We have presence on the Human Rights Council and preparation of declarations, active participation in several working groups: Right to Development, Extreme Poverty, and International Solidarity.
For more information about the International Society and its work please visit www.ssvpglobal.org
Mission
A network of friends, seeking holiness thru the service to the poor & the social justice defense.
Values
Service, Spirituality, Humility, Charity & Empathy
Vision
To be recognized as a world organization for the promotion of the integral dignity of the most deprived.
LOGO
The Confederation of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, the International Council General, has adopted a logo and recommended it to the Society in every country. The National Council of Lebanon has adopted the following logo:
The fish is the symbol of Christianity and, in this case, represents the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.
The eye of the fish is the vigilant eye of God seeking to help the poor in our midst.
The crossing at the tail or the tie-knot represents unity and oneness among members and also the union with the poor.
The circle bounding the logo signifies the global or worldwide stature of the SSVP, an international Society.
The words “servir dans l’espoir” mean to serve in hope, the hope that comes from Our Lord Jesus Christ.
ANTHEM
This anthem has been inspired by our faith in the Vincentian mission and it reflects the spirit of collegiality which animated our founders.
A Light is Shining
1st Part
A light is shining
in the skies of Paris
And all at once, spreading
and taking root
In my heart
Faith and love
Enthuse my vocation
In Christ the Lord
Spreading love
to all, in community,
To help and to serve
Those who are poor
Jesus is there with us
Gazing and smiling
2nd Part
This blessed light
is shining down
On the poor and suffering
It is Christ who said so
Live the mission
Serving with love
Seeking salvation
Such is the taste of life
Practising charity
Through a network of fraternity
To help and to serve
Those who are poor
Jesus is there with us
Gazing and smiling
LOGO
The Confederation of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, the International Council General, has adopted a logo and recommended it to the Society in every country. The National Council of Lebanon has adopted the following logo:
The fish is the symbol of Christianity and, in this case, represents the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.
The eye of the fish is the vigilant eye of God seeking to help the poor in our midst.
The crossing at the tail or the tie-knot represents unity and oneness among members and also the union with the poor.
The circle bounding the logo signifies the global or worldwide stature of the SSVP, an international Society.
The words “servir dans l’espoir” mean to serve in hope, the hope that comes from Our Lord Jesus Christ.
ANTHEM
This anthem has been inspired by our faith in the Vincentian mission and it reflects the spirit of collegiality which animated our founders.
A Light is Shining
1st Part
A light is shining
in the skies of Paris
And all at once, spreading
and taking root
In my heart
Faith and love
Enthuse my vocation
In Christ the Lord
Spreading love
to all, in community,
To help and to serve
Those who are poor
Jesus is there with us
Gazing and smiling
2nd Part
This blessed light
is shining down
On the poor and suffering
It is Christ who said so
Live the mission
Serving with love
Seeking salvation
Such is the taste of life
Practising charity
Through a network of fraternity
To help and to serve
Those who are poor
Jesus is there with us
Gazing and smiling
