Birth, family background and education
Vincent was born at Pouy, France, on 24 April 1580 A.D., to Jean de Paul and Bertrande de Moras. Vincent's parents were French peasants. Even despite their poverty, his parents recognized much potential in Vincent. They were determined to give him a good education. The third of six children, Vincent's parents had him educated at the college of the Franciscans at Dax and then at the University of Toulouse, until he was ordained at the early age of twenty.
Early life as a priest
By Vincent's own account, his ambition as a young priest was to be comfortably well off. He became the tutor of the children of the Count de Joigny, and one of the chaplains of Queen Margaret of Valois - from whom he received the income of a small abbey. In the following years, his work with the poor and his preaching attracted widespread attention.
A turning point in his life
In 1617 A.D., Vincent became the parish priest of Chatillon-les-Tombes. When he heard the confession of a sick and poor farmer, he found that some of the masters of these poor people did not care or provide for them. This deeply affected him and led to his conversion to turn to care for the poor.
His influence attracts attention
In the years that followed, St. Vincent's sermons and work with the poor attracted attention - and imitation. He became the ecclesiastical superior of the Visitation nuns after he met St. Francis de Sales in 1618 A.D. His service to God and the Church touched and inspired all kinds of peoples - rich and poor, galley slaves, princes and peasants.
Founding the Vincentians and the Sisters of Charity
In 1625 A.D., with the help of his former patron, the Count de Joigny, St. Vincent founded the Congregation of the Missions (known today as the Vincentians), a religious congregation devoted to work among the peasants. Then in 1633 A.D., along with St. Louise de Marillac, St. Vincent also founded the Sisters of Charity. Both communities grew and flourished. The Vincentians spread to all parts of France, America, and many other countries. And the Sisters of Charity also grew in number as they obeyed St. Vincent's counsel that "their convent was the rooms of the sick, their chapels the parish church, and their cloister the streets of the city."
A very accomplished and active life
In his lifetime, St. Vincent de Paul established hospitals, orphanages, and seminaries. He ransomed slaves in Northern Africa; sent his priests abroad to preach missions; organized far-flung relief among victims of the war of the Fronde; and wrote widely on spiritual topics. He also vigorously opposed Jansenism and was active in securing its condemnation.
Declared patron saint of charitable groups
St. Vincent de Paul suffered from ill health in his later years until he passed away quietly while sitting in his chair at the age of eighty, on September 27, 1660 A.D. His tomb and the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity are still places of pilgrimage for huge numbers of Catholics today. Vincent de Paul was canonized by Pope Clement XII in 1737 A.D., and was declared patron of all charitable groups by Pope Leo XIII in 1885 A.D. The Church celebrates his feast on September 27.
- A Year with the Saints, by Don Bosco Press Inc.
- Dictionary of Saints, by John J. Delaney
- Saints for Our Times, by Ed Ransom
- The Who's Who of Heaven: Saints for All Seasons, by Msgr. John P. Kleinz
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