Ladies of Charity is a 400 year old international organization founded by St. Vincent de Paul with the motto “to serve, rather than be served.” Membership in the International Association of Charities (AIC) presently has a network of over 200,000 women in 54 countries which is the oldest lay organization of women serving persons living in poverty in the Church and the World.

Each Association is independent. Our Ladies of Charity Lake Travis Inc. Association is part of LOC USA and was founded in 1991.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL, patron of all charity, the Ladies of Charity responded to the needs of the poor in seventeenth century France. Together with St. Louise de Marillac, they went quietly about their tasks, seeking no recognition, satisfied with the knowledge that they were serving Christ in the person of the poor. THE LADIES OF CHARITY, since their origin, have possessed the charism of their founder, daily prayer, and personal service to the poor. That same Vincentian spirit characterizes the Association today. It asks for the personal gift of self, of time, devotion, sacrifices, and perseverance in the effort to bring dignity to each person and to respond with compassion to every human misery.

– Assist local associations to continue, expand and improve their charitable and spiritual works according to the directives and in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise de Marillac, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton through personal service to those in need.

– Adopt the Vincentian model of Systemic Change in implementing projects and encourage collaboration with other members of the Vincentian Family and compatible organizations in developing the projects.

– Advocate the rights of those living in poverty.

– Encourage and aid in communications, to promote and strengthen unity, to share ideas and information among all the associations, and to foster the formation of new associations of Ladies of Charity in collaboration with the other branches of the Vincentian family.

– Foster more vital links with the International Association of Charities (AIC) to profit from the experiences of Ladies of Charity worldwide and to be supportive of sister associations in their efforts to respond to unmet needs.