St. Vincent de Paul
HFCYou who served the sick, the elderly, orphans…with humility and gentleness—pray for us!
St. Vincent de Paul was ordained a priest in 1600, at the age of nineteen. Initially aspiring to a life among the elite of France, St. Vincent de Paul transformed his life into advocating for the poor of Europe. His encounter with a dying peasant opened his eyes to the spiritual needs of the poor of France. He began to preach to and hear the confessions of the rural poor. In 1622, King Louis XIII of France appointed Vincent chaplain of the galleys to minister to prisoners of war and convicted criminals who were sentenced to row military ships.
Vincent founded religious orders and confraternities of charity which gathered Christian faithful to tend to the spiritual and physical needs of the poor. With Louise de Marillac, Vincent founded the Daughters of Charity. He also founded hospitals, orphanages, homes for the elderly, and other institutions to care for the poor throughout Europe.
He died on September 27, 1660. He is the patron of charities and philanthropic organizations.
