Vincent was born
at Pouy in Gascony, in the south of France, in 1581, the third child in a family of four
sons and two daughters. His family was a solid peasant family capable of making ends
meet only through hard work and frugality. His father encouraged and helped him toward the
priesthood, to which he was ordained on September 23, 1600, at the age of nineteen.
Among his chief reasons for becoming a priest was his desire to get an office in the Church
from which he could obtain enough money to retire early, return home, and provide for his family.
After ministering to a parish for several years, Vincent was selected to be the spiritual director for the
de Gondi family. While accompanying Madame de Gondi on a trip around the family's vast properties, Vincent
was called to hear the confession of a dying man. The peasant thanked Vincent for hearing his confession,
for without it, he said he would have been damned. Realizing the importance of ministering to the poor and
suffering stirred Vincent's inner being and with the support of Madame de Gondi, he conducted missions
for the peasants and found his true calling in life. Vincent left his employment with the de Gondis
and returned to parish life.
In 1617, Vincent founded the Confraternity of Charity later known as the "Ladies of Charity". He
organized a group of women from the parish who provided service to the poor and sick. Several years
later he was requested by the de Gondis to return as their spiritual adviser. Vincent obeyed but
continued to work with the poor and needy as he expanded his work in conducting visits and missions.
Vincent saw the poor as his lords and masters and led other men to partake of his vision. He founded
a community of priests and brothers, The Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians), which was
approved of by the Archbishop of Paris in 1626. The community's purposes were to preach the Gospel
to the poor country people and to educate and form good priests.
In 1633, the Daughters of Charity were established by St. Vincent de Paul and Louise de
Marillac. The members were non-cloistered women who ministered directly to the poor.
Vincent and Louise continued to work together with the destitute. In 1638, they became involved
with abandoned children and began building houses to care for abused and neglected street children.
St. Louise de Marillac was canonized in 1934. Her feast day is March 15th and she is the Patroness
of Christian Social Workers.
As Vincent's ministry grew, he was recognized by people in power as a source of wisdom and knowledge
concerning the poor and training men for priestly vocations. Politicians and religious leaders met
with him for advice and guidance in numerous matters. Vincent was very vocal in addressing
the social causes of poverty and injustice and used these meetings to push for reform as well as gaining
material or monetary donations in assisting the needy. His organizational skills were monumental
as the ministry grew to encompass burying the dead, caring for refugees, taking care of the hospitalized
sick, orphans and young women. They distributed farming tools, seeds and religious objects.
In 1660, after 60 years as a priest, Vincent died in his chair. He died as he had lived - working with
and for the poor. Vincent de Paul was canonized in 1737 and is known as the Apostle of Charity
for the Universal Church. His feast day is September 27th.
Information on the life of St. Vincent de Paul is from Serving in Hope, Module 1 - Our
Vincentian Vocation and the Manual of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the United States.