During his life St. Vincent sought and found great treasure in the service of humanity's tragedy and sorrow.  In this the twenty first century, we are experiencing a great deal of change due to rapid advances in technology and in our culture.  Indeed, St. Vincent also lived in a time of great change and upheaval, the back drop of which was the Thirty Years War.  Despite the challenges of his time St. Vincent lived a life of service that was reflective of Christ's words as spoken in Matthew 25:40, "Whatever you did for the least of my own, you did for me".  If there were a few words that would sum up St. Vincent's life then they would be Visionary, Virtuous, Organizer, and Mentor.  Each of these formed the basis for St. Vincent's approach to the ministry of helping the poor.

Saint Vincent the Visionary

All of us have a vision of who we are and what we, as human beings, want to be.  For St. Vincent, loving God and serving the poor was his vision.  As a parish priest St. Vincent came to know the poor whom he saw as needing not just the basics of life, food, clothing, and housing, but also the love of God.  St. Vincent became an advocate for the poor and a devoted mentor to those that sought to study for the priesthood with a view to serving the poor also.  Vincent de Paul realized that the world he lived in could be changed by those that lived in it by helping to transform the lives of those worst off in society. 

Saint Vincent's Virtues

St. Vincent de Paul embraced the Christian virtues of humility, meekness, simplicity, zeal, and self-denial.  He found humility by advocating for the poorest in society and simplicity through his ability to speak on behalf of the poor.  As many, like St. Vincent, who advocate for unpopular causes find, meekness comes from being misunderstood by those in opposition.  St. Vincent's zeal for his ministry and vision were found in the many priests, brothers, and sisters to whom he inspired to serve the poor through the Congregation of the Mission and the Daughters of Charity, the Catholic communities he founded.  Finally, Vincent de Paul found that in self-denial spiritual growth was possible.  Indeed, St. Vincent's example of doing without was a shining example to all of us of what leadership by example truly means.

Saint Vincent the Organizer

St. Vincent believed that when the poor were forgotten, Christ was forgotten, and as a result, society as a whole lost its dignity.  To ensure that society did not lose its dignity St. Vincent founded numerous seminaries in France to train priests to take care of the poor.  Vincent de Paul also organized relief efforts for the poor through the early beginnings of what are called in modern times "soup kitchens" ("potages economiques").  He was also one of the founders of modern social work.  It was with the help of St. Louise de Marillac, that the Lady's of Charity was started, with a view to training young women to care for the poor.

Saint Vincent the Mentor

Much of his life's work was done in collaboration with Saint Louise de Marillac co-founder of the Daughters of Charity.  St. Vincent encouraged these young women by teaching them that "your monastery is the house of the sick; your chapel, your parish church; your cloister, the streets of the city; your enclosure, obedience, your grille, the fear of God, and your veil, holy modesty."

1581

St. Vincent is born in the town of Pouy, present day Saint Vincent de Paul, France, to poor parents

1595

St. Vincent begins his studies for the priesthood with the Franciscans.

1597

Vincent de Paul enters the University of Toulouse to begin theological studies.

1600

At the age of 19 St. Vincent is ordained by the Bishop of Perigueux.

1604

St. Vincent de Paul receives his Bachelor of Theology from the University of Toulouse, France.

1612

St. Vincent takes responsibility for the Church of Clichy, a parish of 600 souls.

1613

St. Vincent begins his service of the De Gondi family and attending estates.  The De Gondi family are perhaps the wealthiest of families in France at this time.

1617

On January 25, 1617 St vincent preaches his sermon on the general confession; this is generally considered by Church historians as the first sermon of his ministry.

1619

St. Vincent begins his mission to the galley slaves of France.  Vincent de Paul will eventually be named Chaplain General to the Galley Slaves by the King of France.

1625

St. Vincent founds the Congregation of the Mission with the financial and moral support of the De Gondi family.

1633

St. Vincent co-founds the Daughters of Charity, with Louise de Marillac, inset, to train young women to care for the sick and the poor.

1658

St. Vincent gives the Community "the rules" by which it is governed to this day.

1660

St. Vincent dies in Paris having lived a full and virtuous life.  In leaving this world St. Vincent de Paul bequeathed to all of us the lesson that we give as much as we receive from the poor.

Canonization

St. Vincent died in Paris at the age of 80 having lived a full and very fruitful life.  In 1737, in recognition of his efforts on behalf of the poor Pope Clement XII canonized Vincent as Saint Vincent de Paul.

In yet another honor Pope Leo XIII named St. Vincent the patron of all charitable societies in 1885.

How does one become a Saint?