Born in Italy in 1813, his family moved to France as they raised their 14 children but only three would survive to adulthood. 

As a young man, Frederic began to doubt his Catholic faith but numerous conversations with a priest in Lyons helped him gradually regain his trust in God, and from that point on he became an advocate for The Lord’s children, especially His poor children. 

In 1831 he went to study law at The Sorbonne, defending the Catholic Church when other professors mocked Her during their lectures and, while there, started a debate group with members that included those with great faith and none at all, designed to allow them to argue their beliefs. 

At one point a member of this club said: “Let’s be frank. What do you do besides talk about your faith?” 

This completely threw Frederic but also moved him and soon he and his friends began to visit the poorest parts of Paris, eventually helping to start, The Society of St. Vincent De Paul. 

While Frederic finished his law degree, the Society of St. Vincent De Paul grew, spreading across Paris, then France, and the rest of Europe. He married Aimilee and they had a daughter, Marie. 

The Revolution had left nearly 300 thousand people without work. Frederic guided the St. Vincent De Paul Society to provide aid when there was no other source for help. 

He always struggled with his health, and in 1852, went with his wife and daughter to Italy to try and recover from illness, but a year later he died. 

At his funeral, long-time friend Fr. La Cordaire said Frederic was: “One of those in whom God joins tenderness and genius in order to enkindle the world.” 

Blessed Frederic Ozanam, please pray for us.