Vincent de Paul

1576–1660
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL

St. Vincent de Paul was a Catholic saint dedicated to helping the poor and vulnerable. He was born in France in 1576, to a family of peasant farmers. He studied humanities in college and graduated with a degree in theology before being ordained in 1600. After his ordination, he remained in the city of Toulouse for some time, departing only to collect an inheritance overseas. On his return, he was attacked and taken captive by Turkish pirates, who brought him to Tunis and sold him into slavery. De Paul remained a slave for two years, but he managed to escape after he converted his owner to Christianity. He went first to Rome to continue his studies but was instead sent to France, where he served as chaplain to King Henry IV’s wife, Margaret of Valois. Three years later, he was transferred once again and began to serve the wealthy Gondi family. There he acted as spiritual director to Madame de Gondi, and with her assistance he began conducting missions to serve the peasants in the surrounding villages. After he left the Gondi family, Vincent secured a position as chaplain to the galleys, and he sought to improve the prisoners’ physical and moral states. He visited them often, speaking kind words and performing services for them. A house was purchased, which Vincent transformed into a hospital to better serve the ailing convicts. He was soon appointed royal almoner by Louis XIII, and he extended his mission to the galleys of Marseilles and Bordeaux. With the urging of Madame de Gondi, de Paul founded the Congregation of the Mission, an organization of priests dedicated to the evangelization of the local peoples. He later established the Daughters of Charity, a group of young women with aims similar to those of the Congregation. He and his fellow missionaries distributed alms during the French period of the Thirty Years’ War, when his homeland was impacted the hardest. He continued to served the poor in France until his death in 1660. Vincent de Paul was declared Blessed by Pope Benedict XIII in 1729 and was canonized eight years later. He is the patron saint of charities, prisoners, and volunteers.


Key events during the life of St. Vincent de Paul:


Year
Event
1576
Born in France
1600
Ordained
1605
Captured by pirates and sold into slavery
1607
Escaped captivity after converting his owner
1609
Sent to France on a mission to Henry IV
1612
Began serving the Gondi family
1625
Founded the Congregation of the Mission
1633
Founded the Daughters of Charity
1660
Died
1729
Declared Blessed by Pope Benedict XIII
1737
Canonized

Other Resources


Story Links
Book Links
Founder of Hospitals  in  The Book of Saints and Heroes  by  Mrs. Lang


Image Links


St. Vincent de Paul
 in History of the Church: Early Modern Times


Contemporary
Short Biography
Henry IV Popular Huguenot King who converted to Catholicism, but decreed religious toleration.
Francis de Sales Reformation era priest noted for opposing the spread of protestantism in Savoy.
Isaac Jogues Heroic Jesuit missionary to Indians. Tortured by the Indians, but returned to preach the gospel.
Maria de Medici Queen of Henry IV, and regent following his assassination.
Cardinal Richelieu Very influential Minister of Louis XIII. Consolidated royal power and crushed dissenters.