Public Domain Image
The feast day of St. Vincent de Paul is celebrated on September 27. He is the patron saint of charities, hospitals and volunteers.
St. Vincent was born at Pouy, Gascony in Southern France in 1581 into a large peasant family. At the age of 15, he entered a Franciscan seminary. He tutored children until he was ordained a priest in 1600.
In `1605, St. Vincent was traveling on a ship from Marseilles to Narborne when he was captured by Moorish pirates! He was sold as a slave in Africa. After two years as a slave, he escaped and returned to France.
At Avignon St. Vincent continued to study. He became the chaplain to the Count of Goigny and was placed in charge of the charities for the poor. This inspired him to preach missions to provide relief for the poor. St. Vincent founded a missionary group known as the Vincentians. The priests in the Order served people primarily in small towns and villages. They had a devotion to helping the poor.
Next, St. Vincent along with the help of St. Louise de Marillac, founded the Sisters of Charity. He organized the rich women in Paris to collect money for hiss missionary projects, including several hospitals. He also collected money for victims of war and ransomed over 1200 slaves from N. Africa.
The motto of St. Vincent was “God see you”. He became known as the Apostle of Charity and the Father of the Poor.
St. Vincent died at the age of 80. His heart remains incorrupt and can be found in the Convent of the Sisters of Charity in Paris. He is credited with two miracles. The first was the curing of a nun with ulcers. The second was a laywoman cured of paralysis.
St. Vincent de Paul was canonized by Pope Clement XII on June 16, 1737.
St. Vincent’s bones and heart are perfectly incorrupt and have been placed inside a wax figure of his body. His relics can be seen in the Church of St. Vincent de Paul in Paris.
Do not feel that all is lost because of the revolt you feel inside. It has rained hard. The thunder has crashed. Is the weather any less beautiful because of that? Be assured you are not, for all that, any less dear to our Lord.
Quote of St. Vincent de Paul
September is the Month of Our Sorrowful Mother