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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is St. Vincent de Paul the patron saint of?
St. Vincent de Paul is the patron saint of charitable organizations, charity workers, volunteers, hospital workers, the poor, and prisoners. Pope Leo XIII officially declared him the heavenly patron of all charitable societies in 1885, recognizing the vast network of relief work he organized during his lifetime in 17th-century France. His patronage extends to anyone who serves the marginalized in a formal or informal capacity, which is why SVdP chapter members, social workers, and hospital volunteers all claim him as their special intercessor.
What is the Society of St. Vincent de Paul?
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a worldwide lay Catholic organization founded in Paris in 1833 by the university student Frédéric Ozanam, who named it in honor of Vincent de Paul as a model of charitable action. Members organize into local "conferences" attached to parishes, where they visit families in need, operate thrift stores, run food pantries, and provide direct financial assistance — always on a person-to-person basis rather than through bureaucratic channels. Today the Society operates in more than 150 countries and is one of the largest Catholic charitable organizations in the world, with millions of active volunteers carrying forward Vincent's original vision.
What did St. Vincent de Paul found during his lifetime?
St. Vincent de Paul founded two major religious institutions that continue to serve the Church today. In 1625 he established the Congregation of the Mission, commonly called the Lazarists or Vincentians, a society of priests dedicated to evangelizing the rural poor and training diocesan clergy. In 1633 he co-founded the Daughters of Charity with the widow Louise de Marillac — the first women's religious congregation to work outside convent walls, serving in hospitals, orphanages, and prisons. Beyond these formal institutions, Vincent also organized the Ladies of Charity, a confraternity of noblewomen who funded and staffed relief operations, creating one of the first structured volunteer networks in Catholic history.
When is St. Vincent de Paul's feast day?
St. Vincent de Paul's feast day is September 27, the date of his death in 1660. The feast is observed throughout the universal Catholic Church and is a particularly significant day for Society of St. Vincent de Paul conferences worldwide, many of which mark it with a special Mass, volunteer recognition ceremonies, or the presentation of medals to long-serving members. September 27 is one of the most meaningful dates to give a St. Vincent de Paul medal as a gift, whether to an SVdP chapter volunteer, a social worker, or anyone else who has dedicated themselves to serving the poor.
What makes a St. Vincent de Paul medal a good gift for a volunteer or charity worker?
A St. Vincent de Paul medal connects the recipient to a 400-year-old tradition of organized, faith-driven service — which gives it a depth that a generic appreciation plaque simply cannot match. For an SVdP chapter volunteer, wearing Vincent's image is an act of spiritual solidarity with every member of the Society worldwide and with the poor they serve together. For a social worker, hospital volunteer, or anyone else who gives their time to vulnerable people, the medal is a daily reminder that their work is a genuine vocation, not just a job. Our medals are made in the USA by Bliss Manufacturing and backed by a lifetime guarantee, so the gift will last as long as the vocation it honors.
Are your St. Vincent de Paul medals made in the USA?
Yes — every St. Vincent de Paul medal necklace we carry is crafted in the United States by Bliss Manufacturing, a trusted name in Catholic religious jewelry with a long track record of quality and consistency. Each medal is available in sterling silver, 14kt gold filled, and 14kt solid gold, and every piece is backed by our lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects. Buying USA-made means you are supporting domestic craftsmanship while receiving a medal finished to the precise detail and durability that a devotional piece meant to be worn every day deserves.