OTAHUHU CENTRE - 09 270 4088
ONEHUNGA CENTRE - 09 815 6122 | 0800 680 090
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The Society of St Vincent de Paul in Auckland comprises four councils.
These councils all directly come under the National Council of Society of St Vincent de Paul of New Zealand.
The Society of St Vincent de Paul’s history of service to the disadvantaged and marginalised, is based on a foundation of spirituality.
This Vincentian spirituality motivates members and volunteers in their commitment to maintain a relationship of personal service to those with whom they work.
The main focus of our work is ensuring that the social, economic and political pressures placed on those disadvantaged in our community are reduced. Hundreds of homes are visited each year and assisted with furniture and food parcels.
Volunteers run a vast range of projects and specialised services, for people in need.
Generosity – Giving of one’s self and one’s time.
Integrity – Promoting, maintaining and adhering to our Vision, Mission and Values.
Compassion – Welcoming and serving all in need with understanding and without judgement.
Empathy – Establishing relationships with those in need based on respect, trust, friendship, and perception arising from actively listening to them.
Responsiveness – Identifying and responding to unmet needs of the poor, the lonely, the marginalised, and the dispossessed.
Advocacy – Helping those in need to navigate bureaucracy to secure their rightful entitlements to welfare and to actively work in conjunction with other like-minded organisations to transform the causes of poverty, and challenge injustice.
Commitment – Fidelity and passion in service of our Vision, Mission and Values.
Respect – Serving all in need regardless of creed, ethnic or social background, health, gender or political persuasion.
Courage – To ask for forgiveness and to forgive, to be merciful, and to pray courageously for the grace to serve, to love our neighbour and to be close to those who are lonely and in difficulty.
The Society of St Vincent de Paul is an international Catholic lay organisation inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Vincentians work to promote human dignity and Justice through personal contact with those in need.
The Society of St Vincent de Paul Auckland began in July 1885 with the foundation of the first conference.
The Vincentian Charism is based on the founding experience of St Vincent de Paul of contemplating and imitating Christ, servant and evangeliser of the poor.
The Vincentian Vocation: Continuing the mission of Christ, servant and evangeliser of the poor.
“Give me a man of prayer and he will be capable of everything…” – St Vincent de Paul
If you are interested in learning more about Vincentian Charism, go to our National website resources.
Contact the SVDP (Vinnies) Auckland:
For General Enquiries
Email: auckland@stvinnies.co.nz
For Food Assistance
Phones: 0800 680 090 or (09) 815 6122
Email: foodbank@svdpak.org.nz
The St Vincent de Paul Society was founded in Paris 1833 by 20 year old university student, Frédéric Ozanam.
Born in French occupied Milan on 23 April 1813, Frédéric Ozanam was inspired by Saint Vincent de Paul’s legacy and decided to name the Society after the famous French saint of the poor.
Vincent de Paul was born in the small southern French town of Pouy (later renamed Saint Vincent de Paul in his honour) on 24 April 1581 and ordained as a priest in 1600 at the age of 19. As a young man he ministered to the wealthy and powerful.
However an appointment as chaplain to a poor parish, and to prisoners, inspired him to a vocation of working with those most marginalised and powerless.
Vincent urged his followers to bring God’s justice and love to people who were unable to live a full human life:
“Deal with the most urgent needs. Organise charity so that it is more efficient…teach reading and writing, educate with the aim of giving each the means of self-support. Intervene with authorities to obtain reforms in structure… there is no charity without justice.”
Vincent de Paul died in Paris on 27 September 1660 at the age of 79. He was canonised on 16 June 1737 and, in 1883, the Church designated him as the special patron of all charitable associations.
The Society was named after Saint Vincent de Paul and follows his teachings and compassion for people in need.