Christian activity — Practical work — Inward questionings. IT is time now to introduce the notice of one of the two special works which Frederic Ozanam had great share, at least, in initiating. The first … Read More
Ozanam: Pioneer in Social Justice
Frederick Ozanam was an outstanding pioneer in the renewed stress on social justice in the Church. Many church statements today reflect his views insisting that work for social justice is an essential aspect of evangelisation. … Read More
Vatican II timeline
This brief timeline describes the proceedings leading up to and through the four working sessions of the Council. 1959 25 Jan: Papal allocution by Pope John XXIII announcing his intention to conduct an Ecumenical Council. … Read More
New in the Library: The Life of St. Vincent de Paul (Charles Butler)
Charles Butler (1750–1832) was an English Roman Catholic lawyer and writer. This Life of St. Vincent de Paul is taken from his book “The life of Fenelon, archbishop of Cambray. To which are added, the … Read More
The Life of Vincent de Paul (Abelly): Book I, Chapter XIV
After Appointment as Royal Chaplain of the Galleys, Monsieur Vincent Visits Provence and Guienne to Provide Physical and Spiritual Help to the Convicts When the general of the galleys had seen the blessings brought about … Read More
Responding Together to the Cry of the Poor
“The history of all societies which have existed until today is a history of class struggle” stated the Communist Manifesto in 1848. In a note to the English edition of the Manifesto in 1888, Engels … Read More
Letters of Frédéric Ozanam. Chapter 04
Cholera-social presentiments-varied occupations and acquaintances. Ii was in this year the cholera appeared in Paris. Frederic’s father sent to recall him, but he remonstrated, not wishing to interrupt his studies. He suffered nothing himself, and … Read More
Early Days of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul: Difficult Decisions
The Society started by Ozanam and his friends on 23 April 1833 in the offices of La Tribune Catholique was set to grow and develop very quickly. Ozanam had a vision of expansion, but four … Read More
The Contribution of Frederick Ozanam and Sylvain Bailly to the Charity Organization Movement in USA
In 1833 a young and zealous Catholic student of law at the Sorbonne in Paris, in order to meet the criticisms of the followers of the French reformer, St. Simon, that the Catholic Church really … Read More
The Poor Country People of Seventeenth Century France
During the past forty years French historians have shifted their attention from the great personages and political movements of their country’s past to the ordinary people among their ancestors. Their key interests include diet, health, … Read More















