24/07/2025
On July 21, 2025, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul commemorates the 186th anniversary of the creation of the International General Council (IGC), the body responsible for safeguarding the unity of the Institution and the faithful observance of the Rule in all the countries where the SSVP is present
The history of this body dates back to the early years of the Society’s expansion. Founded in Paris in April 1833 by a group of young Catholic laypeople led by Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the SSVP was born as a concrete response to the poverty affecting many Parisian households, but its mission soon extended beyond the city.
The rapid growth of the conferences in Paris and other French cities made it necessary to properly structure the Society. In 1835, the first Rule was drafted, and a year later, in 1836, the Council of Direction was established to coordinate the expansion of the conferences, which by 1839 numbered 38 (16 in Paris and 22 elsewhere). In this context, and with the desire to strengthen institutional cohesion, on July 14, 1839, our founders approved the reorganization of the SSVP and decided to transform the Council of Direction into a new body with broader competences: the General Council. This decision was ratified during the General Assembly held on July 21, 1839, a date now celebrated as the birth of the IGC. The first official meeting of the new Council took place on December 27, 1840, and its first President General was Emmanuel Joseph Bailly de Surcy.
Since then, the General Council has sought to remain faithful to the founding spirit while evolving in harmony with the times. It has fulfilled its mission of encouraging, coordinating, and uniting the different national branches of the Society around the world. Its headquarters remain in Paris, symbolizing its historical roots and original charism.
Let us pray for the International Board of Directors, for their intentions, and for all the Vincentians who have served or are currently serving within the International Structure. On this day, we remember not only the seven founders but also the first members and all those who have served the General Council over the past 186 years, especially those who are now in the Father’s House.