Feast of Blessed Frédéric Ozanam – 9 September
The Catholic Church, the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SSVP) and the entire Vincentian Family celebrate the feast of Blessed Frédéric Ozanam on 9 September. Ozanam (Milan, 1813 – Marseille, 1853) was the principal founder of the Society of St Vincent de Paul.
This liturgical feast was established by the Vatican, taking into account that 8 September, the date of his death, coincides with the celebration of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
On the occasion of this celebration, the SSVP Council General International recommends that Conference members present special intentions during the anniversary Mass, entrusting to God the needs, hopes and aspirations of our Vincentian Family.
In a special way, we are called to pray:
• For the people assisted and accompanied by our Conferences, that through our Christian service they may find support, comfort, dignity and hope.
• For the active members of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, that, inspired by the example of Frédéric Ozanam, they may live out their vocation of service to those most in need with deep faith and generous hearts.
• For our deceased Vincentian brothers and sisters, that the Lord may grant them eternal rest and reward their dedication, charity and all the good they accomplished in service of those most in need.
• For our social works and Vincentian projects, that they may continue to be instruments of evangelisation, human development and transformation of situations of poverty and exclusion.
• For the prompt canonisation of Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, that, if it is God’s will, the Church may fully recognise his holiness and that his witness of faith and charity may continue to inspire present and future generations.
May the celebration of this feast help us to renew our Vincentian vocation and to continue along the path traced by Frédéric Ozanam: serving Christ in the person of our brothers and sisters, especially those living in situations of poverty and need, in order to improve their lives and our own.
May the example of Blessed Frédéric Ozanam strengthen our faith, our fraternity and our commitment to serve with love.