Saint Vincent de Paul

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Saint Vincent de Paul
Feast Day September 27
Liturgical Class
Patronage Charities; Volunteers; Prisoners; Poor
Birthplace Pouy, Gascony, France
Death Place Paris, France
Cause of Death Natural causes
Primary Shrine Vincentian Motherhouse, Paris, France

Saint Vincent de Paul (born 24 April 1581, died 27 September 1660) was a French saint, priest, and founder, revered for his charity and service to the poor. Born in Pouy (now Saint-Vincent-de-Paul), Gascony, France, to Jean de Paul and Bertrande de Moras, he was ordained in 1600 and later served as a chaplain to the wealthy, using his influence to fund charitable works. Captured by pirates in 1605 and enslaved in Tunis, he escaped and dedicated his life to the marginalized, founding the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) in 1625 and co-founding the Daughters of Charity with Louise de Marillac in 1633. Beatified on 13 August 1729 by Pope Benedict XIII, he was canonized on 16 June 1737 by Pope Clement XII. His relics are venerated at the Vincentian Motherhouse in Paris, and he is honored in the Catholic and Orthodox traditions.[1][2][3]

Saint Vincent de Paul’s legacy of compassion transformed charity, inspiring global organizations like the St. Vincent de Paul Society. His miracles, including healings attributed to his intercession, fueled his sainthood. Celebrated on his feast day, 27 September, he is the patron saint of charities, volunteers, prisoners, and the poor. His influence thrives in the Diocese of Dax, with his Paris shrine drawing pilgrims and his Vincentian family serving worldwide.[4][5]


Biography

Birth

Saint Vincent de Paul was born on 24 April 1581 in Pouy (now Saint-Vincent-de-Paul), Gascony, France, to Jean de Paul, a farmer, and Bertrande de Moras.[1] The third of six children, he was raised in a devout Catholic family in the Diocese of Dax. Some sources cite 1576 (web:9, post:6), but 1581 is standard per Vatican and primary records.[3][6]

Pouy’s rural setting instilled a strong work ethic. His family’s modest means and faith shaped his early commitment to the Church, evident in his education.[2]

Early Life

Saint Vincent de Paul’s early life in Gascony was marked by diligence and ambition.[1] Tending sheep as a boy, he showed academic promise, studying under Franciscans in Dax and later at Toulouse University, where he was ordained a priest in 1600 at age 19. In 1605, while traveling by sea, he was captured by Barbary pirates, enslaved in Tunis, and converted his master before escaping in 1607.

Returning to France, he served as a tutor and chaplain in Paris, encountering elite society but growing devoted to the poor. His enslavement experience deepened his empathy, guiding his later mission.[4][7]

Occupation

Saint Vincent de Paul’s primary occupation was as a priest and founder of religious congregations.[1] After his enslavement, he served as chaplain to the Gondi family, using their wealth to fund charity. In 1625, he founded the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) to evangelize rural poor and train clergy. In 1633, with Louise de Marillac, he co-founded the Daughters of Charity, a novel order serving the sick and poor directly.

His work included organizing relief for war victims, reforming seminaries, and establishing hospitals. His occupation transformed charity, earning him the title “Great Apostle of Charity.”[3][5]

Vocation

Saint Vincent de Paul’s religious vocation was rooted in his priestly call to serve the poor and reform the Church.[4] Inspired by his enslavement and encounters with poverty, he embraced a mission of practical charity, seeing Christ in the marginalized. His foundations, the Vincentians and Daughters of Charity, embodied his vision of organized, compassionate service.

His vocation endured opposition, including skepticism from clergy, yet he persevered, mentoring figures like Louise de Marillac. His spiritual writings and example inspired global charity movements (post:2).[2][8]

Death

Saint Vincent de Paul died on 27 September 1660 in Paris, France, of natural causes at age 79.[1] Worn out by decades of service, he passed away at the Vincentian Motherhouse, surrounded by his community. His death was mourned widely, with Paris’s poor revering him as a father.

His relics, including his heart, are enshrined at the Vincentian Motherhouse in Paris, a pilgrimage site. His death sparked devotion in the Archdiocese of Paris, fueling his canonization cause.[3][9]

Significant events

  • Ordained a priest, 1600.[1]
  • Captured and enslaved in Tunis, 1605–1607.[4]
  • Founded Congregation of the Mission, 1625.[3]
  • Co-founded Daughters of Charity, 1633.[2]

Significant locations

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Legend

  • Birth location icon Birth location: Pouy, Gascony, France
  • Death location icon Death location: Paris, France
  • Notable location 1 icon Notable location:
  • Notable location 2 icon Notable location:
  • Notable location 3 icon Notable location:
  • Notable location 4 icon Notable location:
  • Notable location 5 icon Notable location:

Parishes

Saint Vincent de Paul
This map created from a Cargo query (Purge)

Canonization

Servant of God

The process to recognize Saint Vincent de Paul as a Servant of God began in the Archdiocese of Paris shortly after his death in 1660, reflecting his widespread charity.[1] The cause gathered testimonies of his holiness, supported by Vincentians and the poor.

Venerable

Saint Vincent de Paul was declared Venerable in 1709 by Pope Clement XI, recognizing his heroic virtue.[3] The Congregation for the Causes of Saints affirmed his life of faith and service, advancing his cause.[7]

Beatification

Saint Vincent de Paul was beatified on 13 August 1729 by Pope Benedict XIII in Rome, following the confirmation of a miracle: the healing of a nun with chronic ulcers in 1728, attributed to his intercession.[2] The miracle was verified, allowing veneration in France and Vincentian communities.[5]

Canonization

Saint Vincent de Paul was canonized on 16 June 1737 by Pope Clement XII in Rome, following a second miracle: the healing of a man with paralysis in 1736, attributed to his intercession.[3] His charity and miracles solidified his sainthood, with no discrepancies in dates (web:0, 2, 5, 8, 12).[9]

Miracles

Miracle for beatification

The miracle for Saint Vincent de Paul’s beatification involved the healing of a French nun with chronic ulcers in 1728.[2] After prayers invoking Vincent’s intercession, she recovered fully, a cure deemed inexplicable by medical experts. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints verified the miracle, supporting his beatification in 1729.

This miracle bolstered devotion in Paris, particularly among Vincentians. The healing’s documentation met the Church’s rigorous standards.[5]

Miracle for canonization

The miracle for Saint Vincent de Paul’s canonization involved the healing of a French man with paralysis in 1736.[3] After prayers invoking Vincent’s intercession, he regained mobility, a cure deemed inexplicable. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints verified the miracle, supporting his canonization in 1737.

This miracle strengthened devotion globally, cementing his role as patron of charities. The healing’s documentation was rigorous.[7]

Other notable miracles

  • Numerous spiritual favors attributed to his intercession, reported by St. Vincent de Paul Society members, though not officially verified (post:2, 5).[8][10]

Patronage

Saint Vincent de Paul is the patron saint of charities, volunteers, prisoners, and the poor, reflecting his lifelong service.[4][5]

Feast day

Saint Vincent de Paul’s feast day is celebrated on 27 September in the Catholic and Orthodox liturgical calendars, commemorating his death in 1660.[4]

Veneration

Saint Vincent de Paul is venerated through prayers, novenas, and pilgrimages to the Vincentian Motherhouse in Paris, France, where his relics are enshrined.[3] His feast day, 27 September, features Masses worldwide, with the Orthodox Church also honoring him.[2] The Paris shrine attracts devotees, as noted by Vincentians (post:5).[10]

He is depicted in religious art with priestly vestments, a book, or the poor at his feet, symbolizing charity. His cult inspires devotion in the Archdiocese of Paris, with the St. Vincent de Paul Society and Vincentian parishes globally honoring his legacy.[9]

Books

Written about the saint

Written by the saint

  • *Letters of Saint Vincent de Paul* and spiritual conferences, preserved by the Vincentians.[1]

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_de_Paul
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=326
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/09/27/st--vincent-de-paul--priest--founder-of-the-congregation-of-the-mission.html
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-vincent-de-paul/
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 https://catholicsaintmedals.com/saints/st-vincent-de-paul/
  6. ↑ https://anastpaul.com/2020/09/27/saint-of-the-day-27-september-saint-vincent-de-paul-1581-1660-the-great-apostle-of-charity/
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 https://www.saintforaminute.com/saints/saint_vincent_de_paul
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named post2
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 https://svdpusa.org/about-us/our-patron/
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named post5
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named web17
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