Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a Catholic lay organization that leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually in the offer of person to person service to those in need and who are suffering, in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and patron, St. Vincent de Paul. Organized locally, Vincentians witness God's love by embracing all works of charity and justice. The Society collaborates with other people of good will in providing critical assistance for those in need, serving all persons, in them, Vincentians see the face of Christ.
Our Service to the needy and the suffering mirrors that of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington. It comprises the three counties of Delaware - New Castle, Kent, and Sussex. Additionally it includes nine counties in the state of Maryland - Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester.
Within this area, there are 35 local conferences in 32 parishes and 3 prison conferences. A conference usually consists of 6-12 members who help the needy and suffering in their locality.
HOME VISITS - Two Vincentians visit the needy in their homes to provide spiritual support and economic assistance. During the year 2014, Council of Wilmington members made 14,838 in-person visits to needy and suffering clients in their homes, in prisons, in hospitals and in old age/retirement homes - and assisted 48,131 persons. Additionally, while we are a Catholic organization, over 80% of the people we help are non- Catholics. We make no distinction in those served because in them Vincentians see the face of Christ.
PRISON MINISTRY - The ministry serves three prisons - James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in Smyrna (DE), which houses men, Baylor Correctional Institution in New Castle (DE), which houses women and Sussex Correctional Institution in Georgetown (DE), which houses men. Members distribute personal care items (Baylor) and also conduct a "Re-entry" program whereby released inmates are assisted with transportation, housing, job search, clothing, mentoring, etc. in a path to self-sufficiency. In 2014, the members made 186 visits to prisons. For more information, please visit this website: transitions.svdpwilm.org.