St. Vincent de Paul: Feast Day, Patronage & Prayers
Feast day: September 27 (Memorial of St. Vincent de Paul, Priest)
Patron of: All who serve the poor and the societies devoted to them.
About St. Vincent de Paul
St. Vincent de Paul was born in 1581 to a peasant family in southwestern France. He was ordained a priest young, at about nineteen, hoping partly for a comfortable career in the Church. Over time, through his experiences as a chaplain, a tutor in a noble household, and a country pastor, God changed his heart. Hearing the confession of a dying peasant, and seeing how many poor country people lacked the sacraments and teaching, he gave his life to the poor.
In 1625 Vincent founded the Congregation of the Mission, the Vincentians, to preach missions in rural areas and to train good priests. With St. Louise de Marillac he founded the Daughters of Charity in 1633, who served the sick, orphans, the elderly, and prisoners in their homes, hospitals, and streets. He also organized groups of laywomen, cared for abandoned infants and galley slaves, and sent help to regions devastated by war. He combined deep prayer with brilliant practical organization. He died in Paris in 1660 and was canonized in 1737. In 1833 Blessed Frédéric Ozanam founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul under his patronage.
Prayers to St. Vincent de Paul on Daily Catholic Prayers
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