The story of their life
Encounters with rural poverty, prisoners and neglected communities redirected Vincent’s ministry; he founded the Congregation of the Mission and collaborated with St Louise de Marillac in developing the Daughters of Charity.
Saint16th–17th century · Feast September 27
St Vincent de Paul
Also known as Vincent de Paul, Vincent Depaul, Saint Vincent de Paul, St Vincent
Priest
Founder
Apostle of Charity
A French priest who transformed ambition into organised, practical charity and founded enduring communities serving people in poverty.
A note on content. This profile is a prototype draft. Devotional traditions, historical facts and uncertain traditions will be clearly identified once entries are reviewed. We do not publish invented quotations.
Historical context
Seventeenth-century France combined wealth and royal power with rural poverty, war, displacement and disease.
Defining moments
- Encountering neglected rural communities
- Serving prisoners and galley slaves
- Organising lay charity
- Founding the Congregation of the Mission
- Collaborating with Louise de Marillac
Faith and spirituality
Practical charity, careful organisation, priestly service and recognition of Christ in people who are poor.
Why this saint matters today
Ideal for charity founders, project managers and people who want compassion to become sustainable systems.
Patronage and intercession
People turn to St Vincent de Paul in matters of:
Charitable societies
Volunteers
Prisoners
Hospitals
The poor
A prayer
God of the poor, through St Vincent de Paul’s intercession turn compassion into wise action and help our organisations serve with dignity. Amen.
Timeline
Sources and further reading
- https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/09/27/st--vincent-de-paul---priest--founder-of-the-congregation-of-the.html
- https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2017/09/27/170927c.html
- https://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Calendar/
Source-quality status: unverified prototype