Saint Vincent De Paul

Saint Vincent de Paul (1581–1660) was born in Pouy, a small village in France. From humble beginnings, he rose to become one of the greatest champions of charity in the Catholic Church. After being ordained a priest in 1600, Vincent initially sought a comfortable life. But through experiences with the poor, the sick, and even his own brief captivity by pirates in North Africa, his heart was transformed. He devoted his entire life to serving Christ in the poor and marginalized. In Paris, Vincent began organizing practical works of charity—feeding the hungry, caring for orphans, establishing hospitals, and visiting prisoners. He founded the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) to preach and care for rural communities, and, together with St. Louise de Marillac, he co-founded the Daughters of Charity, a community of women dedicated to hands-on service of the poor.