Sisters of Charity Archives - The Mystery of Faith

St. Vincent de Paul Public Domain Image — St. Vincent de Paul
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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

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The feast day of St. Bernadette of Lourdes is celebrated on April 16.

St. Bernadette was born in 1844 in France. Our lady first appeared to St. Bernadette in Lourdes, France on Feb. 11, 1858. Bernadette was a poor shepherdess who was only 14 years old. Our Lady actually appeared to her eighteen times.

During the first vision Bernadette saw a bright light and a beautiful lady dressed in a brilliant white dress adorned with a blue ribbon. A long veil covered her body from her head to her feet. Her hands were clasped as if praying and she carried a white and gold rosary with a gold cross in her hands. Bernadette took her rosary out of her pocket and guided by Our Lady they prayed the rosary. After praying, the vision ended.

Bernadette asked the girls with her if they had seen anything and they said no. She told them not to say anything but her sister told their mother who did not believe the story.

On Feb. 14, Bernadette returned to the Grotto where the vision had happened. She asked those with her to pray the rosary. When Our Lady appeared again, Bernadette’s face was transfigured. She sprinkled the holy water which had been given her and said, “If you come from God, come near us.” The holy water touched Our Lady and she smiled and came closer. They began to pray the rosary together.

On Feb.18, after Mass she was accompanied by a lady and a religious. When she began praying, Our Lady appeared again and they all prayed the rosary. Our Lady asked Bernadette to return for 15 consecutive days. Bernadette promised she would do so. Our Lady said;

“I also promise to make you happy, not in this world, but in the next.”

Bernadette went to the Grotto with a lit candle for the next 15 days. Hundreds of people began coming with her. On Feb. 21. Bernadette observed that Our Lady seemed sad. She asked her “What is wrong? What can I do?” Our Lady said’

“Pray for sinners.”

A doctor examined Bernadette and concluded there was nothing wrong with her. Bernadette was ridiculed nonetheless.

On Feb. 23, Our Lady requested that a Sanctuary be built on the site. She told Bernadette to talk to the priest. When the priest asked her the name of the lady Bernadette did not know. The priest told her he needed a miracle and she should ask the lady for the rose bush to blossom.

On Feb. 25, Our Lady told Bernadette to drink from the fountain. Puzzled, Bernadette looked around for water. She discovered water coming up from the ground which soon became a pool of water.

On Feb. 26 Our Lady revealed to Bernadette her name saying;

“I am the Immaculate Conception”.

During one apparition people witnessed Bernadette praying for fifteen minutes with the candle flame burning through her fingers. She remained unharmed. The last apparition occurred on the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Many miracles of healing have been attributed to he healing waters of Lourdes.

St. Bernadette joined the Sisters of Charity seeking God in the silence of the convent. She died on April 16, 1879.

The message of Our Lady of Lourdes is timeless…Pray for sinners.

The incorrupt body of St. Bernadette of Lourdes may be viewed at St. Gildard Convent where it is kept under glass. This is the convent St. Bernadette spent the last nine years of her life in prayer with God.