14 August: The Legacy and Commitment of Vincentian Women
Every 14 August, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul celebrates the International Day of the Vincentian Woman, a date dedicated to recognising the contribution of the thousands of women who, for nearly two centuries, have sustained and enriched the mission of the SSVP throughout the world.
The commemoration was established by the International General Council to coincide with the bicentenary of the birth of Amélie Soulacroix Ozanam, wife of Blessed Frédéric Ozanam. Born in Marseille on 14 August 1820 and deceased on 26 September 1894, Amélie never belonged to a Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Nevertheless, thanks to her dedication and the care with which she preserved Frédéric Ozanam’s correspondence and many of his personal documents, we now have a much deeper understanding of the thought, spirituality and life of the Society’s principal founder.
Her life represents quiet support, fidelity to the Gospel, and commitment to a mission that continues to transform the lives of millions of people through service and fraternity.
A path opened by many women
During the Society’s early years, women were largely absent from university life and therefore did not participate in the founding of the SSVP. The General Rule of 1835 reserved Conference membership to men.
However, this provision did not prevent the creation of women’s Conferences outside France. In Madrid, in 1855, Encarnación Villalba de Hore established a Ladies’ Conference, and a year later Celestina Scarabelli did the same in Bologna, then part of the Papal States.
Although the initiative of the women in Madrid was initially an exception to the General Rule, their work was soon recognised as complementary to the Vincentian mission. Indeed, the Rule of 1858 explicitly acknowledged the importance of these women’s Conferences, stating that they carried out “precisely what is forbidden to us, thus in a certain way completing our work”, while inviting members to give thanks to God for such a great blessing.
In Spain, following a request made by the President of the Ladies’ Conference to the Apostolic Nuncio in Madrid, Pope Pius IX granted the women’s Conferences in 1856 the same indulgences enjoyed by the men’s Conferences, a privilege that he extended in 1867 to all active Conferences throughout the country.
In Bologna, official recognition as an integral part of the Society came in 1931, when the local Council reached an agreement with the Council of Paris.
This history also includes the example of Sister Rosalie Rendu, Daughter of Charity, whose closeness to the first founders was decisive in guiding their earliest visits to families in need and in passing on the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul from the very beginning of the Society.
A shared mission
Today, women are an essential part of the life of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. They participate actively in Conferences and Councils, lead social initiatives, accompany individuals and families, promote formation, and assume leadership responsibilities at every level of the International Confederation.
Today, the SSVP is an organisation made up of women and men who share the same vocation of service, the same spirituality and the same commitment to the dignity of every person. United by the Vincentian charism, they carry out their mission through shared responsibility, fraternity and participation, with the same rights and responsibilities within the Society.
On this 14 August, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul expresses its gratitude to all Vincentian women who, through their generosity, compassion and daily dedication, continue to strengthen this great international family. Their witness reminds us that true leadership is born of service and that every act of closeness helps build communities that are more fraternal, more supportive and more humane.