St Vincent de Paul
Vincent
de Paul was born at Pouy, in the Landes,
France
on 24th April 1581, and was ordained a priest on 25th September
1600. Working first in pastoral ministry in
Paris, he later accepted a position of
chaplain in the household of the de Gondi family from whence he came
to devote himself to the alleviation of the lot of the poor.
To that end, he established the Congregation of the Mission to which was also
entrusted the formation of the clergy. Along with
Louise de Marillac
he founded in 1633
the Company of the Daughters of Charity.
Vincent
died in Paris
27th September 1660, and was declared a saint on 16th June 1737.
Pope Leo XIII named him Patron saint of all works of charity.
Vincent had a gift for integrating service
with a profound prayer life. He found and served God in the poor,
the sick and abandoned people in the city and in the countryside.
Vincent knew how to draw other people into his projects and made
them his co-workers.
I Vincent
de Paul I
Louise de
Marillac I
First Sisters I
