St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church Los Angeles, CA

Who is St. Vincent DePaul?

St. Vincent DePaul

A Beacon of Hope and Charity

Humble Beginnings

Saint Vincent de Paul stands as an exemplar of Christian charity, humility, and pastoral excellence. Born into a modest peasant family in the village of Pouy, France, on April 24, 1581, Vincent's zeal for education and service to the poor ignited early, steering him through his theological studies at the University of Toulouse and leading to his ordination as a priest in 1600.

Captivity in Northern Africa

Vincent's journey took a dramatic turn when, in 1605, he was captured by pirates and sold into slavery in Tunisia. His faith and resilience shone through this trial, converting his owner to Christianity, and securing their escape back to France in 1607. Returning as a changed man, he continued his studies in Rome before becoming a tutor and spiritual director to the elite Count of Goigny.

Preaching to the Rural Poor

Yet, it was the heartfelt confession of a dying peasant that profoundly transformed Vincent de Paul. His newfound devotion to the materially and spiritually impoverished propelled him into a life of service. He founded several institutions, such as the Congregation of Priests of the Mission (Vincentians) in 1625 to evangelize rural populations and remedy a shortage of priests. Alongside Saint Louise de Marillac, he founded the Daughters of Charity in 1633 to serve the poor, the sick, and prisoners.

Assistance to the Clergy

and the Poor

Through his establishment of hospitals, assistance to convicts, and the creation of the Ladies of Charity lay institute, Vincent redefined the meaning of compassionate outreach. His commitment to reforming the French clergy and developing seminary education left an indelible mark on the ecclesiastical landscape.

Strength Through Humility

Despite his wide-reaching influence, Vincent's humility remained unwavering, leveraging his reputation solely for the benefit of the needy and the strengthening of the Church. A vehement opponent of the Jansenist heresy, Vincent's doctrinal fortitude was as robust as his benevolence.

Death and Enduring Legacy

Saint Vincent de Paul's earthly life and ministry concluded on September 27, 1660, at 80 years of age, but his legacy of charity lives on. Canonized in 1737 by Pope Clement XII, Vincent's inspiration led to the founding of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul by Blessed Frederic Ozanam in 1835.

His writings—an extensive collection of over 30,000 letters—reveal a heart passionately set on alleviating suffering and propagating faith. Revered as "The Apostle of Charity" and "The Father of the Poor," his incorrupt heart and relic-embedded effigy reside in Paris with the Vincentian Fathers and the Daughters of Charity, silently echoing a life of sacrificial love. The feast day of this patron of charitable societies is fittingly observed each year on September 27.