News Archives

Young people form a very important part of SSVP – our future leaders and inspiration. By encouraging young people to participate in the good works, we ensure that the legacy of SSVP carries on, and we entrench the spirit and footprint of SSVP amongst our young people....

Grateful thanks to all who gave during the Lenten appeal; your support made it possible for us to assemble and distribute care packages to those in need in and around Howick. Rice, maize meal, sugar, tea, soup, dried beans, cans of beans and pilchards, as well as...

In Quigney, East London about 20 homeless people – most of whom sleep under verandas in town near the beachfront, were touched by the kindness of the members of the  Holy Redeemer Conference. Thanks to tony Cotterall and Robert Nell, the crowd of mostly men each...

Children at Maryvale School in Bloemfontein were delighted recently when members of the Sacred Heart Conference visited with gifts of new school shoes and jerseys. The smiles on the kids' faces when they opened up the goody bags and found brand new shoes inside says...

Together with the Anglican Church, St John's Brigade and Impact Bikers, the Sacred Heart Conference in Bloemfontein hosted a shave-a-thon for poor and homeless people. It's hard for most of us to imagine what it is like to live on the streets, with no access to...

Today is the 206th birthday of Blessed Frederick Ozanam, Principle Founder of the Society of St Vincent de Paul. The day marks the 186th Anniversary of our organisation, which now has over 950 000 members in 155 countries around the globe. What an amazing legacy,...

Members of St Rose Conference in Bloemfontein collected 40 pairs of school shoes and clothing for Lebone Village, a local children's home and orphanage. King Williams Town Children's Home was also the beneficiary of clothing and toiletries donated by members of SSVP...

Over the weekend of 5 & 6 April, SSVP council leaders from around South Africa gathered at the Koinonia Retreat Centre in Johannesburg for the National Council Meeting. The proceedings began with a spiritual reflection led by Reverend Deacon, Peter Landsberg,...

Our Lady of Sorrows parish in Nigel recently reached out to all the parking attendants in the town. One hundred breakfasts of boerewors, pap and gravy – along with 2 bananas and a Coca Cola - were served to car guards who often work long hours for meagre tips. Thanks...

Some of our young Vincentians were fortunate enough to attend World Youth Day, which ran from 22-27 January in Panama. South African national youth coordinator Boipelo Mathondlada, pictured above, was among the pilgrims. Welcoming pilgrims on the first day, Archbishop...

Until recently we have been using a spare room in the priest’s house at St. Joseph’s in Howick for storing donations of clothes, blankets, computers, wheelchairs and crutches. We have now been allocated a place in the garage where we were able to build our own...

In Qiuigney, East London, hungry and homeless people receive hot soup and meals every Tuesday. We also hand out donated clothes and shoes to those in need. If you are able to help by donating unwanted items, please contact Shiela on 074 253 0782. At Our Lady of...

Conferences around the country reached out to less fortunate communities to ensure that all could enjoy the spirit of loving and giving that makes Christmas the most wonderful time of the year.

Thanks to the efforts of SSVP Our Lady of Sorrows in Wentworth, Durban, local pensioners enjoyed a wonderful Christmas lunch.

A joint festival, attended by all the local conferences as well as his Eminence, Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, took place at St Mary’s in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday 2 December.

Our National Council meeting, which took place over the past weekend at Koinonia, was spiritually uplifting and inspiring.

On World Poor Day, Sunday 18 November, St Vincent de Paul members and volunteers throughout the country worked tirelessly to feed as many poor and marginalised people as possible. Reports came in all through the day, with wonderful pictures of hungry people being...

After a visit from a group of young Vincentians, the dormant SSVP conference at The Lady of Peace parish in Roodepoort has been given a new lease on life.

On Sunday 14 September, the Soweto Deanery kicked off the parish visit/awareness campaign. Pictured above are some members from Phillip Neri, who had a rededication mass and were later joined by members from Good Shepherd and Holy Cross.

In 2019, the International Council General of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP) will celebrate 180 years since its foundation. To celebrate this occasion, the International Board decided to launch a competition called “THE SEVEN FOUNDERS”. In this way, the...

Anyone passing the main gate of Holy Trinity Church in Braamfontein will be confronted by the disconcerting and provocative sculpture of a homeless person lying on a park bench. The figure is completely covered by a blanket, except for the feet which are exposed. The...

Initiated by Anne Knickelbein and Pat Rowe, who bring their scissors and sewing machines to St Dominic’s every Tuesday, the sewing group at the SSVP Hillcrest Conference has grown. Using fabric kindly donated by Sheryl Chessa of Celtico, the ladies started making...

  SSVP Youth in Cape Town recently hosted a youth summit, aimed at introducing and unifying young people from different parishes. One participant described it as, "a blessed and good day." It was a wonderful opportunity for the youth to get together to share...

Society of Saint Vincent de Paul will be hosting a Combined Gauteng Festival in Commemoration of Celebrating 400 Years of Vincentian Charism 1617 – 2017. We call all Vincentian Members in Gauteng to join us in this Jubilee Celebration of 400 years of Vincentian...