THE SOCIETY OF St. VINCENT DE PAUL IS AN INTERNATIONAL, FRATERNAL ORGANISATION OF CATHOLIC LAY PEOPLE. MEN AND WOMEN, WHO PRACTICE CHRISTIANITY BY HELPING THOSE IN NEED ON A PERSON TO PERSON BASIS AND IN A SPIRIT OF CHARITY AND JUSTICE.
The society was founded in PARIS, in 1833, by Fredic Ozanam and a small group of fellow students. This group set about helping the oppressed and the poor. The essence of society is personal service and commitment. The society was named after St. Vincent De Paul who lived in 1581 – 1660 and whose life was devoted to helping the underprivileged. He is the patron of Christian charity. The aim of the society is to provide a means where by members can practice Christianity by loving their neighbours in the presence of the needy.
Vincentians show this love, compassion and understanding by giving themselves – their concern, their friendship, their time, their talents – to help people regardless of class, creed, color or political belief.
The conference of St. Sebastian, Aquem was founded on 10th Feb 1997. The members meet every Monday at 5:30 pm.
The conference meetings are imbedded with the spirits of Charity, Cordiality, Generosity, Humility, Joy, Loyalty, Piety, Poverty, Progress, Prudence, Sharing, Simplicity, Unity, Peace and Youth. The meetings have a standard agenda which includes a Secret Bag Collection.
The committee also pays a visit to the aided families, other poor, homebound, aged, and the sick, in their homes and hospitals and pay condolence visits to the bereaved families. They have adopted. St. Josephs Home (Mother Theresa’s home for dying Destitute Men) Quepem, Shanti Avedna (Home for the terminally ill) Loutolim, Government Aged Home Loutolim, Divine Providence Aged Home, Benaulim, where they interact with the inmates and pray with them for their needs and also organize and participate in the masses for such people. They visit them once in three months.
On the second Sunday after the 7:30 am Mass the members make a collection outside the church to assist the needy.
The Vincientians believe that each and every one of us is an image of Christ. He is also seen in the poor and the needy. Hence when they contribute to their cause let us remember the words of Jesus “What ever you do to the least of my brothers you do it unto me”.