The Vincentian family is larger than most people realize. It includes the Congregation of the Missions, Sisters of Charity and Daughters of Charity, who all adopted St. Vincent de Paul as their Patron Saint. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded in 1833 in Paris, France. Frederic Ozanam and fellow college friends were engaged in a debate. In that debate they were trying to prove that, from historical evidence alone, the Catholic Church was the one true Church founded by Christ.
Their opponents replied:
"We agree that at one time your Church was a great Church and was a great source of good." And then the chance remarks: "What is your Church doing now? What is she doing for the poor of Paris? Show us your works and we will believe you."
That comment prompted the formation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and it's first Conference.
Almost immediately they sought the help of Sister Rosalie Rendu, a Daughter of Charity whose abounding love for the poor was known throughout Paris. It was she who gave the new group direction and assigned them their first three home visit cases. Father Ambrose Helm brought the Society to the United States in 1845. The Society was formed in Hawaii in 1966 through the efforts of Father Mark Consalvi, SS.CC and today operates in 3 parishes on Oahu only, providing many kinds of help to all in need.
We are governed by an International Headquarters in Paris, France, The Council of the United States in St. Louis, Missouri and a Western Regional Council located in Los Angeles, California. There are 6 Regional Councils that govern the many Diocesan/District Councils. In larger jurisdictions, such as Los Angeles, there is an Arch-Diocesan Council which governs more than one District Council. District Councils are responsible for animating and coordinating the work of the SVDP units within their jurisdiction. They are first and foremost at the service of Conferences with a view to furthering charitable activities. They are also responsible for organization to the fullest extent, training and formation sessions of members and potential members on spiritual themes, the Vincentian vocation, and problems of social action and justice.