1813–1853
Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, 1813–1853
September 9
Blessed Frédéric Ozanam was born in Milan, Italy. For a time, he studied law. When he lived in Paris, he discovered a love for literature. His friends challenged him to find a way to live out his strong Christian beliefs in his everyday life. Frédéric realized that he had a call to help those in need. He helped found the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, which still helps those in need, especially those who are poor. Frédéric was also a university professor and wrote many books. He tried to live out his vocation in all he did.
Discuss: How do you live your call to holiness?
Blessed Frédéric Ozanam was born in Milan, Italy, but moved with his family to France as a very young child. Frédéric was the fifth of fourteen children. For a time, he studied law at the University of the Sorbonne in France. When he lived in Paris, he discovered a love for literature. His friends challenged him to find a way to live out his Christian beliefs in his everyday life. Frédéric realized that he had a call to help those in need. He helped found the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, named after the Saint who spent his life helping the poor. The Society still helps those in need, especially those who are poor. Frédéric was also a university professor and wrote many books. He tried to live out his vocation in all he did.
Frédéric earned a degree in literature as well as law. He also founded a newspaper called The New Era. He had written for newspapers before while in college. He was beatified by Pope Saint John Paul II in Paris on World Youth Day, 1997.
Activity
Write a Poem
Verbal/Linguistic
Have the child write a rhyming poem about how they live out their Christian beliefs in everyday life.