St. Vincent de Paul

Memorial:  27 September  

Profile:  Born to a peasant family. A highly intelligent youth, Vincent spent four years with the Franciscan friars at Acqs getting an education. Tutor to children of a gentlemen in Acqs. He began divinity studies in 1596 at the University of Toulouse. Ordained at age 20.  Taken captive by Turkish pirates to Tunis, and sold into slavery. Freed in 1607 when he converted one of his owners to Christianity.  Returning to France, he served as parish priest near Paris where he started organizations to help the poor, nursed the sick, found jobs for the unemployed, etc. Chaplain at the court of Henry IV of France. With Louise de Marillac, founded the Congregation of the Daughters of Charity. Instituted the Congregation of Priests of the Mission (Lazarists). Worked always for the poor, the enslaved, the abandoned, the ignored, the pariahs.  

Born:  1581 near Ranquine, Gascony near Dax, southwest France; the town is now known as Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, Landes, France  

Died: 1660 at Paris, France; body incorrupt (see photo)  

Beatified:  21 August 1729 by Pope Benedict XIII  

Canonized:  16 June 1737 by Pope Clement XII  

Patronage: charitable societies; charitable workers; charities; horses; hospital workers; hospitals; lepers; leprosy; lost articles; Madagascar; prisoners; diocese of Richmond Virginia; spiritual help; Saint Vincent de Paul Societies; Vincentian Service Corps; volunteers