US Catholic: TODAY'S SAINT (Vincent De Paul)

VINCENT DE PAUL

Priest

St. Vincent was born of poor parents in the vilage of Poury in Gascony, France, about Franciscan Fathers at Acqs. Such had been his progress in four years that a gentleman chose him as subpreceptor to his children, and he was thus anabled to cotinue his studies without being a burden to his parents. In 1596, he went to the University of Toulouse for theological studies, and there he was ordained priest in 1600.

In 1605, on a voyage by sea from Marseilles too Narbonne, he fell into the hands of African pirates and was carried as a slave to Tunis. His captivity lasted about two years, until Divine Providence enabled him to effect his escape. After a brief visit to Rome he returned to France, where he became preceptor in the family of Emmanuel de Gondy, Count of Joigny, and general of the galleys of France. In 1617, he began to preach missions, and in 1625 he laid the foundations of a congregation which afterward became the Congregation of the Mission, or Lazarists, so named on account of the Priory of St. Lazarus, which the Fathers began to occupy in 1633.

It would be impossible to enumerate all the works of this servant of God. Charity was his predominant virtue. It extended to all classes of persons, from forsaken childhood to old age. The Sister of Charity also owe the foundation of their congregation to St. Vincent. In the midst of the most distracting occuppations his soul was always intimately united with God. Charity was his predominant virtue. It extended to all classes of peresons, from forsaken childhood told age. The Sisters of Charity also owe the foundation of their congregation to St. Vincent. In the midst of the most distracting occupations his soul was always intimately united with God. Though honored by the great ones of the world, he remained deeply rooted in humility. The Apostle of Charity, the immortal Vincent de Paul, breathed his last in Paris at the age of eighty, Septemberr 27, 1660.

PRAYER

God, You gave St. Vincent de Paul apostoolic vartues for the

salvation of the poor and the formation of the clergy. Grant

that, endowed with the same spirit, we may love what he loved

and act according to his teaching. Amen.

Feast: September 27

Paron of Charitable societies