The Life and Legacy of Saint Vincent De Paul: The Apostle of Charity

Saint Vincent De Paul, (April 24, 1581- September 27, 1660) was a French priest who dedicated his life to helping the poor, and is considered one of the most important figures in the history of charity. He was canonized by Pope Clement X in 1737 and declared the patron saint of all charitable works.

Saint Vincent De Paul was born in the small village of Pouy in Gascony, France. He was the son of a poor peasant farmer, and received his education from a local parish priest. At the age of 19, he was sent to study theology at the University of Toulouse, where he earned a doctorate in theology. In 1605, Vincent was ordained a priest and appointed chaplain to the galleys of Languedoc. It was during this time that he developed a deep commitment to helping the poor and the disadvantaged. He established the Congregation of the Mission in 1625, which was a group of priests dedicated to evangelizing to the poor and providing them with spiritual, material and educational assistance. In 1633, Vincent founded the Daughters of Charity, a religious order of nuns devoted to providing physical, spiritual and educational aid to the poor and disadvantaged. The Daughters of Charity still exist today, and are the most widely recognized charitable organization in the world.

Throughout his life, Vincent organized and directed numerous charitable works, such as founding hospitals, orphanages, and schools for the poor. He also established credit unions and bank loans to help the poor become self-sufficient. His life’s work earned him the nickname of the “Apostle of Charity” and he was widely admired for his dedication to helping the less fortunate.

Saint Vincent De Paul’s feast day is celebrated on September 27th, the day of his death. His canonization date was July 16th, 1737. He is also the patron saint of charitable societies, hospitals, prisoners and volunteers.

One of the lesser known facts about Saint Vincent De Paul is that he was an avid gardener. He often tended to the gardens at various charitable institutions, and was known to have said: “It is not enough to love the poor, one must also love the soil that feeds them.”

Saint Vincent De Paul is remembered as one of the most influential figures in the history of charity. His legacy of selfless service to the poor and disadvantaged is still remembered today, and his example of charity and compassion is an inspiration to many.